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They get to work on time and they do a good job. Sometimes,
they might even stay late to finish a project because it’s
important to be responsible. That’s a lesson they’ve taught
you because you take your around-the-house jobs seriously,
too.
You always do your chores right because people depend on
you. But in the new book Memoirs of an Elf by
Devin Scillian, illustrated by Tim Bowers, an important
job is done correctly because Christmas depends on
it!
It’s Christmas Eve, a quarter to 10, and Spark Elf is
getting antsy. In just two hours, he and his fellow elves
Bobbin and Nutshell will help Santa deliver presents. The
reindeer are ready, the sleigh is full, and because he feels
“so good,” Spark snaps an elfie.
At quarter to 11, with an hour to go, it starts to snow and
that makes Spark really happy. It would make him even
happier if Santa would hurry up. Santa says Spark worries
too much.
And then it’s “launch time!”
Guam and Fiji are first for gift delivery, followed by New
Zealand. Santa starts singing his favorite Christmas carol,
and he stops to pet every dog. Santa loves dogs, and they
love him, but that takes time and there’s none to spare. As
Santa plays with a puppy named Tugboat, Spark says it’s time
to go.
At halfway around the world and with the bag half-empty, the
sleigh starts falling behind. Santa needs to step it up, but
he’s too busy enjoying the cookies that kids have left for
him. Santa loves cookies – except ginger snaps. Those are
the ones he gives to Spark, Bobbin, and Nutshell.
Spark would love it if you’d leave more gingersnaps.
With nine hours to go, they finish Mexico City. Four hours
to go, and they’re done with South America so Santa takes a
minute to play with the toys. Spark urges him to hurry. It’s
almost Christmas morning…
And with a half-hour to go, they finish!
But there’s something left in Santa’s sack. It’s something
very important that someone will miss very, very much. Can
St. Nick save Christmas in the nick of time?
Oh my, but there’s all kinds of cute inside
Memoirs of an Elf.
Spark Elf may be my new Christmas hero, in fact, because
author Devin Scillian gives him a Type-A personality mixed
with just the right kind of holiday sweetness. Spark is
businesslike and efficient, yet he still appreciates the
tiny things that make the Yule cool, and he’s eager to share
secrets with kids who are lucky enough to have this book.
But Spark isn’t the only irresistible thing here: I was
totally charmed by the illustrations from Tim Bowers. They
made me want to read this book all over again.
This is not your traditional Christmas story, but reading it
surely could become a new tradition for your family. It’s
meant for kids ages five-to-10, but Memoirs of an Elf
is serious fun for anyone.
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