The Elf on the Shelf: Welcome to the North Pole

by Chanda A. Bell

Overview

Explore the magical realm of the North Pole alongside your favorite Scout Elf crew!

Readers will delight in meeting not only charming animal friends but also Santa Claus himself! Discover the wonder of the North Pole while uncovering the traditions and adventures that define this extraordinary place in this Level One early reader.

This book is a Level One I Can Read, perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts of Level One books support success for children eager to start reading on their own.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063327412
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/10/2024
Series:	I Can Read Book 1 Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Chanda Bell was once a beloved middle school English teacher. Now she is the visionary founder and co-CEO of The Lumistella Company, home to the international phenomenon The Elf on the Shelf. As the author of The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition and other books from the Santaverse brand, she is often referred to as “Santa’s Chief Storyteller." Chanda has brought Santa’s world to life with a Netflix partnership, a traveling holiday musical, and the Elf on the Shelf brand Scout Elf character balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Today, more than 25 million homes have embraced her magical Christmas characters. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her family.

Editorial Reviews

06/21/2024

K-Gr 2—In this holiday-themed early reader, characters from the enduringly popular Elf on the Shelf universe introduce readers to different areas of the North Pole. Readers visit the stable where Santa's reindeer dwell, Mrs. Claus's Sweet Shop, Scout Elf school, and more. Familiarity with the lore goes a long way here; the phrase "Scout Elves" is used to describe the tour guides, but there is no further explanation (and they don't do much scouting in the book). Illustrations appear computer-generated, like stills from an animated special, creating a glossy semi-realism. Santa is featured throughout, as is a glamorous Mrs. Claus. The cute factor is high, with a stable full of sweet-faced reindeer, arctic fox cubs, and Saint Bernard puppies frolicking about. The elves have a variety of skin tones and ages. This is essentially a straightforward tour of the North Pole, and the book's strength lies in its basic, easy-to-read language and well-known characters, rather than any sort of plot. The illustrations are at their best when they pull back to depict just how tiny the elves are, as they have wholesome adventures like sharing hot cocoa and riding giant slides. Despite the frequent invocation of Christmas magic, this is ultimately a rather flat book, lacking warmth and sparkle, but fans of Elf on the Shelf will likely still enjoy seeing some familiar faces. VERDICT There are better commercial tie-in books out there; this one doesn't quite hit the mark.—Kate Newcombe

School Library Journal