Christmas at the Top of the World [Hardcover]

Tim Coffey (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Little Reindeer has heard of an amazing place where the stars are close enough to touch. Now Papa is going there on a journey, and he won't be back until Christmas Day. It's hard for Little Reindeer to wait.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Papa Reindeer describes to Little Reindeer "A magical place, at the top of the world." When Papa mysteriously leaves, saying he'll be back on Christmas, even the youngest readers will have a pretty good idea of where he's going. Little Reindeer sets off to find him, followed by Mama and the other animals, and discovers the magical place (and Santa) just as the sleigh, led by Papa, returns on Christmas day. Painted in acrylic on watercolor paper textured with gesso, the illustrations feature naturalistic but cuddly animals whose plush-toy quality gives them a comforting familiarity. (Santa himself takes on more of a St. Francis of Assisi persona than that of the jolly old elf.) An additional title that can be used in a secular context.-S. P.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS. Little Reindeer tells his Papa: "I discovered a place where the ground rises up to the sky and you are high enough to touch the stars . . . a magical place, at the top of the world." The story is simplicity itself: Little Reindeer sets out to find his father, who has gone to the special place. Other animals join him, and they wind up at Santa's cottage in time to see Santa and Papa as they set off on their Christmas Eve journey. Although there's barely enough plot to carry the book, there's a sweetness to the words that is nicely complemented by richly colored acrylic paintings. Cut with lines and swirled backgrounds, pictures capture the silent softness of a snowy forest interrupted by animals afoot. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807557625
• ISBN-13: 978-0807557624
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 11.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,312,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A TOUCHING HOLIDAY STORY, January 6, 2004

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Christmas at the Top of the World (Hardcover)

Author/illustrator Tim Coffey offers a unique slant on Christmas in this story of a curious young reindeer who wonders where his Papa has gone.

Winter is Little Reindeer's favorite time of year because that's when Papa tells him a beloved bedtime story all about "a place where the ground rises up to the sky and you are high enough to touch the stars."

Little Reindeer wondered and wondered about this magical place - where in the world could it be? Then a cold night comes when Papa says he is going on a journey. When Little Reindeer says he wants to go too, Papa tells him he must wait.

But, you know how curious young animals can be, and Little Reindeer soon follows his father. Before he knew it his Mama and all the other animals were following him. They walked until they came upon a tall tree decorated in a way that they had never seen before, and met a kindly old man with a twinkle in his eye.

Youngsters will have no difficulty in guessing who this man is.

"Christmas At The Top of the World" is one more touching story to be enjoyed during the holiday season.
- Gail Cooke

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS STORY, December 28, 2006

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Christmas at the Top of the World (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) (Paperback)

This is a wonderfully touching story of Christmas seen through the eyes of a young Reindeer. The story is well told, well developed and simply a fun and touching read for you and your children. The illustrations are top rate and quite eye catching. Recommend you add this one to your children's Christmas reading list.

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical and gentle Christmas story, January 30, 2009

By 

Alloessence "au naturel maman" (MA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christmas at the Top of the World (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) (Paperback)

A quiet gentle story told from a young reindeer's point of view. The paintings by Tim Coffey are beautiful. A must have, preferably hard-bound, for Christmastime.