Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf

With exaggerated drawings reminiscent of Mad magazine spoofs, McWilliam (When a Dragon Moves In) makes the most of newcomer Wolfe's comical story. After discovering that some "quite good" children aren't getting visits from Santa, an elf named Shmelf learns what's up from the head elf, who tells him, "of course you don't know, since you're still quite newish, / But the kids on this list are actually Jewish." Intrigued, Shmelf does some reconnaissance at a Jewish home where Hanukkah is in joyous swing, then gets himself appointed the Hanukkah elf--complete with a blue and white costume, a Jewish reindeer named Asher, and a mandate to make Hanukkah a little more "magical." Three cheers for Shmelf for recognizing that "Hanukkah's awesome! I'm totally in," though it may rankle some families to see the Santa juggernaut expand to include Hanukkah, too. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)

PreS-Gr 1—If you have Jewish children worrying about why they don't get Christmas presents even though they've been good, they can thank new elf Shmelf for raising the question with Santa. After witnessing a family's Hanukkah celebrations, Shmelf is delighted: "'Hey, now I get it!' Shmelf said with a grin./'Hanukkah's awesome! I'm totally in!' " Santa, happy that Shmelf cares for Jewish children, decks him out in a blue and white outfit and sends him out with a Jewish reindeer to ensure a good holiday for eight nights in December (some years in November). Bright, colorful illustrations and a perky couplet scheme make this a viable, if odd, storytime title, but somehow the message just seems awkward and leaves a patronizingly bad taste. VERDICT Does Santa really need to mess with Hanukkah? Not recommended.—Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library

Wolfe's comedic rhymes paired with McWilliam's painterly illustrations make for a joyful, modern mashup of two grand holiday traditions. - EW.com