Elton the Elf

Brenda Baltensperger is a playwright, a director of children’s
theatre, an editor of children’s fiction, and the author of Fractured
Fairy-tales.

Elton the elf has lost his way home. As he travels along he asks each
group of birds and animals he meets, who are celebrating various
holidays, if this is his home. They tell him which holiday they are
celebrating and ask him to enjoy it with them. Elton explains he would
rather go home, so they point him in the right direction.

Elton’s journey takes him across the country and through the seasons
where the holidays being celebrated are New Year’s Day, Valentine’s
Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Canada
Day, Hallowe’en, Remembrance Day, and Christmas, at which time Elton
finally reaches home. Unfortunately, two major holidays—Labour Day and
Thanksgiving—were missed.

The format of the book could have been smaller, making it easier for
younger children to handle. Rogé’s illustrations are bright and
colorful, and nicely show the various methods of transportation used by
Elton on his journey. Despite the missed holidays, Lisa Mallen does a
nice job of teaching children the sequence of the holidays and the
season in which they take place. Recommended with reservations.