Title: On Reindeer Watch
Author: Nikki Mask
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-6698-2783-2
Pages: 24
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Christmas Book / Poetry
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
On Reindeer Watch is a special treat for the holidays as Christmas magic comes to children with many heartwarming stories, customs, and of course not to forget presents!
Author Nikki Mask has created an ideal story with the text prancing from page to page like one of Santa’s reindeer, totally with an enjoyable beat and rhyme. The abundant illustrations are laden with details for the children’s eye to explore, as the text and images flow as gently as falling snow on Christmas day. Inside the boy and girl’s house, these two characters are comfortable in their PJs and Christmas outfits doing seasonal activities, such as baking cakes and gingerbread-man cookies.
Riding around the neighborhood seeing all of the lights makes them happy, as also playing in the snow. Returning back home in the evening to hop up on the sofa and look out the window to see the starry skies, while waiting impatiently for Rudolph to pull Santa’s sled to their home to drop off presents and having some cookies and milk left out by the fireplace. Christmas day arrives as they jump for joy on their bed, hurrying downstairs to see what has happened – and yes, snowy hoof-prints by the front door leaving evidence Santa and his reindeer were there.
Nikki Mask uses a loving, gentle and cleverly themed poetic prose throughout the text, making this book a big Christmas poem accompanied by artistic illustrations. For example, the picture of the reindeer hoof-prints by the front door reads, “I run to the door and what do I see? Remnants of reindeer hoof prints right in front of me!”
“But between you, my brother and me,” says the little girl narrating the story, “there is one Christmas tradition that will never flee!” That being on watch for reindeer! Staying up late and looking out the window into the starry night each Christmas eve to catch a glimpse of Santa’s team of reindeer flying across the sky.
This book is a treasure of Christmas spirit which should be wrapped with a red ribbon and bow, and placed under the Christmas tree of all households with young toddlers. As they grow up reading this story over-and-over, it may become an heirloom to their family’s Christmas tradition to enjoy with the youngest family members – and of course, looking out into the night sky every Christmas eve and being On Reindeer Watch.
