This is an Elf by Beck Stanton & Matt Stanton

Fans of the very popular This is a ball will welcome another very funny book from the award-winning duo, Beck and Matt Stanton. Designed for the festive season, the cover of This Is an Elf will immediately draw readers in with its bold red background and a picture of a reindeer. What? Where is the elf? Turning to the book, the instructions tell the readers to make sure they are both on the same page with questions, 'Is this Santa’s hat? Is this a Christmas star? And what’s this?' The young child will see Santa’s hat, but what is a candy stick doing next to a star and yes, there is a Christmas angel. From then on, the fun begins. On one page the text reads: 'This is a Christmas tree', and on the opposite page is an illustration of a candle. The next page has the text 'This is a Christmas tree that wrapped in Christmas lights', and the illustration is of tinsel wrapped around the candle. The book proceeds in this contradictory way featuring a reindeer as an elf,  Santa’s bag full of presents as a Christmas cracker, finally culminating in a surprise.

Children are likely to become immersed in the humour of the book, contradicting the adult who is reading aloud, and having lots of fun proving that the adult is completely wrong with the story that is being read. I loved the illustrations, particularly thar of the reindeer, with its simple outline and wonderful expressions. Vivid, green, red and yellow background colours make the white print stand out and give the book a happy, Christmas feeling.

This a  wonderful book which will bring smiles to the faces of both children and adults, who will have enjoy challenging each other over the text and illustrations. It is likely to prove a favourite for the festive season.

Themes: Humour, Point of view, Elves, Reindeer.

Pat Pledger