An Elf for Christmas [Hardcover]

Michael Garland (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999 | Age Level: 3 and up

When Tingle, one of Santa's best workshop elves, is accidentally wrapped up with a toy airplane and delivered to a real, live boy on Christmas morning, the situation seems hopeless. With Santa too far away to help, Tingle worries that he will be trapped in the humans' house forever. But when the courageous little elf comes up with a wonderful, magical plan for escape, readers will find it hard to resist peeking ahead to see what happens. Tingle's thrilling journey back to the North Pole--as well as his joyous homecoming--have all the trappings of a Christmas classic.

The captivating illustrations by Michael Garland (author-illustrator of the best-selling picture book The Mouse Before Christmas) burst with color and movement. Infused with extravagant detail, warmth, and imagination, An Elf for Christmas will linger in the minds of readers long after all the ribbon and wrapping paper have been put away.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While on the job in Santa's workshop, Tingle the elf climbs into the cockpit of a toy plane and falls asleep. Next thing he knows, he's being unwrapped on Christmas morning. Terrified and homesick, Tingle tries to fly home to the North Pole, crashes, but eventually reaches his destination with the help of a polar bear. As brightly colored as a string of Christmas tree lights, Garland's (The Mouse Before Christmas) oddly surreal computer-generated illustrations teeter on the edge of garish; the best thing about them is the 3D illusion they project. Ages 3-8. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Tingle, a hardworking but exhausted elf, falls asleep in a toy plane he has helped to complete. The toy is boxed and wrapped, and, on Christmas morning, Tingle finds himself face to face with an excited boy. After several hairy moments escaping the family dog, the elf manages to escape up a chimney and tries to fly the plane back to the North Pole. Another mishap occurs, but a friendly polar bear comes to the rescue and delivers Tingle to Santa's door. Garland's digitally painted illustrations have a commercial slickness, with bold, bright colors that grab viewers' attention. Tingle is an appealing little guy, with an oversized head and pointed chin and ears. Despite the visual appeal, though, Garland's story is slightly stale, with problems easily solved and relatively few surprises. Ultimately, the text serves as a vehicle to showcase the vibrant pictures.-M.M.H.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525462120
• ISBN-13: 978-0525462125
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 10.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,344,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award winning author and illustrator Michael Garland has been out on the New York Times Best Seller list four times.

Some recent Michael Garland books from are; Oh, What A Christmas! Scholastic, Miss Smith Under the Ocean, Dutton Publishers, and Grandpa's Tractor, Boyds Mills

Michael Garland's greatest success has been for writing and illustrating children's picture books. Garland's Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook recently won the California and Delaware State Reading Awards. He is currently working on his thirtieth book as author and illustrator.

Michael Garland has illustrated for celebrity authors like James Patterson and Gloria Estefan. His illustrations for Patterson's SantaKid were the inspiration for Sak's Fifth's Avenue's Christmas holiday window display in New York City. Garland's Christmas Magic has become a season classic and is currently being developed for a for a TV special.

His work has won many honors and is frequently included in the Society of Illustrators and the Original Art of Children's book show as well annuals from Print, Graphis and Communications Arts magazines. Recently, Michael Garland was included on the list of the top one hundred Irish Americans by Irish American Magazine.
Michael Garland is frequently asked to speak at schools, literary conferences and festivals across the country.

http://www.garlandpicturebooks.com

http://childrensbooksheal.com/2011/11/30/oh-what-a-christmas-by-michael-garland/

http://www.valcomnews.com/wp-content/PDFs/CalKids/CK1112.pdf

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=383&id=100000791525187&l=fb121ddf7a

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24741&id=100000791525187&l=59df58a9f5


Michael Garland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Silly Elf!, November 5, 2000

By 

"moxymorgan" (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Elf for Christmas (Hardcover)

I initially puchased this book for its wonderful illustrations, but when I got home and read it, the story is quite entertaining. Tingle the elf gets into some trouble while perfecting an airplane for Santa to give to the children on Christmas Eve.... he falls asleep inside the airplane and ends up in the hands of a child! The adventures continue as he tries to make his way back to the North Pole. The pictures are bold, bright, and vivid... they actually held my son's attention! I highly recommend this colorful Chirstmas tale.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Illustrations...Charming Story, December 26, 2010

By 

HC - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An Elf for Christmas (Paperback)

My two year old daughter loved this book (sent to her by her elf on the shelf). The story of the little elf who meets a child for the first time and makes a journey back home to the North Pole is cute. It certainly teaches children to think about life through the perspective of an elf! Exceptional illustrations completely bring the book to life!

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Children's Christmas Book, December 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: An Elf for Christmas (Hardcover)

The pictures in the book are amazing and the story is very cute. My 5 1/2 year old son loves it!