The naughtiest reindeer goes south by Nicki Greenberg

Allen & Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760293116
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Christmas. Reindeer. Humour. On the night before Christmas Santa has his sleigh ready but there is a commotion at the front of the reindeer line. Ruby wants to lead the sleigh but Rudolf thinks she is too naughty. Mrs Claus intervenes and lets the two of them become leaders but Ruby goes on a wild ride behaving 'like a renegade flying machine' and capsizes the sleigh. There is a mad chase to rescue all the presents, but Ruby was left in the snow at the South Pole. She is all alone except for a group of penguins who are not impressed with all the gifts littering their snow. Ruby has a big dilemma - how is she going to get those presents to all the children waiting for them?
The outstanding feature of this book are the fabulously funny illustrations. Ruby is such an irresistible little reindeer and her naughtiness will have great appeal to children.
She swooped and she served, She cornered and spun.
She shouted, 'SHORTCUT! WOOHOO! THIS IS FUN!
The picture of her is just wonderful and the joy that she expresses as she loops around will delight children and adults alike. The narrative is based on The night before Christmas, and the use of alliteration and the humour in it ensures a wonderful read aloud for bedtime or the classroom.
This book will join The naughtiest reindeer and The naughtiest reindeer at the zoo as ideal funny books about Santa and his reindeer to have in a library or at home.
Pat Pledger