Olive the Orphan Reindeer Book

Olive, a young doe reindeer, is separated from the rest of her family when they all scatter to get away hungry wolves out in the Barrens. Olive, lost, encounters Santa and Mrs. Claus, and is invited by them to stay as long as she wants. She makes herself useful around Santa's Kingdom. Eventually, however, she yearns to be a member of Santa's sleigh team. As she is trying to pluck up the courage to ask, Santa is receiving bad news from his advisers. Huddled at Mission Control, his chief elf and his computer expert advise him that he does not have enough reindeer power to make his annual global trip. In addition, demand is up, and the numbers don't look good. At the same time, the relief reindeer are on a sickout to protest inadequate living conditions. Ultimately, Mrs. Claus causes the relief reindeer to settle, and she forms her own sleigh team to ride alongside Santa. Christmas is saved, and Olive's ambition is realized.

Children's Literature

When the little reindeer with the olive nose wanders into the North Pole, Mr. and Mrs. Claus adopt her immediately. Although Olive has lost her parents, she finds a new home and a new life with the Claus family. Olive's responsibilities include delivering muffins to the hospital and checking for broken toys, but what she really wants to do is be a part of the "Big Trip" on Christmas Eve. When a mysterious illness strikes all of the spare reindeer, and Santa seems about to cancel the trip, Olive and Mrs. Claus save the day. This is a delightful Christmas story in chapter book form that is sure to become a favorite. 2000, New Canaan Publishing, $14.95 and $7.95. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Joyce Rice