PW: OLIVE, THE OTHER REINDEER

Oct 06, 1997

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Children's Features

OLIVE, THE OTHER REINDEER
-- 10/6/97

J.otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh, illus. by J.otto Seibold. Chronicle, $12.95 (40p) ISBN 0-8118-1807-1

With the same quirky verve that marked their Mr. Lunch series, Seibold and Walsh add a twist to the "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" story. In this amiable version, a terrier named Olive thinks she's "the other reindeer." She hurries to the North Pole, and arrives none too soon: "Santa was checking his list for the second time."20 The boss himself is skeptical: "Santa knew a lot about dogs, for instance, they can't fly. But...he decided to give Olive a chance."20 As the sleigh passes forests and the Eiffel Tower, Olive fetches fallen toys and scents a path through the fog. Though the red-nosed leader is conspicuously absent, the authors find witty ways into their premise. Seibold has developed a signature style with computer digitalized art, and his playful skewed lines and warm shades of ochre, pimento and olive green are user-friendly. Even without Rudolph, this reindeer game exudes contemporary Christmas spirit. All ages. (Nov.)20
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A version of this article appeared in the 10/07/1997 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: