Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: Special Edition Pop-Up Book - a book review

Quote of the day:

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
                                          -Charles Dickens


Today's featured book:

Title:  Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer:

Special Edition Pop-Up Book
Author:  Lisa Marsoli

Illustrator:  Keith A. Finch

Ages: 3+  (but really ageless)

Let's see what's poppin' inside shall we?

What's it all about?

Just in time for the holidays this must have book will introduce a whole new generation to a classic story that has been around for 50 years.  This story first manifested itself as a famous holiday television special in 1964.  It was created in stop motion animation and every year since has been featured at Christmas time to the delight of both kids and parents.  This book will carry on the timeless tale in pop-up form so it can be enjoyed all year round. These large-scale pop-ups were created using actual images from the original television special making the book both beautiful and fun to read. 

Rudolph travels to the North Pole and engages in the reindeer games only to be teased and mocked because of his shiny nose.  Humiliated and sad he wanders off and meets Hermey the Elf, who is feeling exactly the same way.  He doesn't want to make toys like the other elves but aspires to become a dentist.  Together they team up and look for a place where they will fit.  

Along the way they encounter a prospector named Yukon Cornelius and the scary Abominable Snow Monster.  The three oddities end up on the Island of Misfit Toys and discover they are not alone in their feelings of isolation and non-acceptance.  The story does have a happy ending for everyone involved and Rudolph's nose is the very beacon of light that Santa needs to guide his sleigh on that foggy Christmas Eve making him a super hero to all.  

The moral of the story is that we are all different, have value, worth, and purpose.  We must accept and celebrate our individual uniqueness because that's what makes a very interesting, diverse  and yes, amazing world.  

About the author and illustrator:

Lisa Marsoli, the author of 150 books, has been creating children’s content for entertainment, publishing, and toy companies for 30 years. She lives in Glendale, CA. Keith Andrew Finchhas more than 17 years of experience designing paper-engineering books. He enjoys making kid-friendly pop-ups. He lives in Hampshire, U.K.

Book Review Rating:  9 (near perfection!)

Read on and read always!