cover image Reindeer Dust

Reindeer Dust

Kate Dwyer, illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. Reindeer Dust, Inc., $17.95 (32p) ISBN 978-0-9893176-0-3

In an upbeat Christmas story from first-time author Dwyer, minor kerfuffles threaten to interfere with Santa%E2%80%99s successful delivery of presents. With no time to feed the reindeer, they are looking particularly droopy, and the fog is so thick that Santa can%E2%80%99t see the houses below. Luckily, a resourceful boy named William, who has been keeping an eye on the weather, concocts a plan to light the way for Santa and his reindeer by creating a sparkly dust from oats, bran, and brown sugar: %E2%80%9CCircling above, the reindeer were relieved to find/ the shimmering dust as it glistened and shined.%E2%80%9D Lew-Vriethoff%E2%80%99s (Peace, Baby) lithe reindeer bring dashes of humor to this Christmas Eve scramble, but the polish of the artwork doesn%E2%80%99t entirely extend to Dwyer%E2%80%99s rhymes, which can be hiccupy and overworked (%E2%80%9CThe stockings overflowed with scrumptious treats,/ and the sight of their toys made their little hearts beat%E2%80%9D). Dwyer concludes with a recipe and a poem for families who wish to incorporate some Reindeer Dust into their holiday traditions. Ages 4%E2%80%938. (BookLife)