In the Holly Jolly North Pole: A Pop-Up Adventure

PreS-K–A short, sweet, and cute pop-up board book celebrating Santa’s Christmas Eve visit. In a nod to early literacy skills, the text is written in an alternate line rhyme scheme. Red and green tones are present in Leschnikoff’s hand-drawn illustrations, but the full palette is retro, perhaps even mid-century modern. The elves are diverse in hair and skin tones. Various woodland animal helpers are shades of pink, blue, and green. The reindeer, however, remain brown-furred, and Santa and Mrs. Claus have pale skin. The number of pop-ups in this work is amazing—every single one of the six spreads that make up the book pops to life with elves hard at work. This may limit the life of the book in a library collection. The story does not break new ground: the elves are making toys, the mail room is filled with letters that Santa will try to answer, and Mrs. Claus is in the kitchen making treats. Finally, all is ready and the elves load the sleigh for Santa’s dash through the sky to spread Christmas joy.