The Reindeer Christmas

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

This story goes back to Santa’s early days, back to the time when
Santa was still doing his toy delivery route on foot. Every year the
demand for toys becomes greater and greater until one Christmas morning,
Santa and his trusty elf Elwin are almost caught by the dawn before they
finish the job. That would mean losing all their magical powers.
Fortunately, Elwin has an idea. He and his fellow elves build a magic
sleigh that gives anyone who pulls it the power of flight. Santa sends
out a call for volunteers and receives responses from teams of
elephants, pigs, kangaroos, and even crocodiles. After a few false
starts, Santa finally settles on the now well-known reindeer solution,
and toys have been delivered on time ever since.

Although perhaps not destined to become part of the Santa canon, this
story is certainly an entertaining and readable tale. Atsuko
Morozumi’s illustrations are equally charming. This fine book will
delight new readers and not offend hardline Santa Claus traditionalists.
Recommended.