Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

by Robert L. May, Antonio Javier Caparo (Illustrator)

Overview

Celebrate Christmas with this Classic Board Book edition of Robert L. May’s famous Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Every year at Christmastime, everyone—young and old alike—has one catchy, joy-inspiring song stuck in their heads: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!” Now fans of the most famous reindeer of all-time will fall in love with the original story, written by Robert L. May in 1939.

Rudolph, a youthful reindeer buck who possesses an unusual luminous red nose, is teased and excluded by his peers because of this trait. One particularly stormy Christmas Eve, Rudolph manages to prove himself after Santa Claus catches sight of his nose and asks him to lead his sleigh for the evening. Rudolph agrees, saving Christmas, and is finally treated the way he deserves by his fellow reindeer!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442474956
Publisher:	Little Simon
Publication date:	09/30/2014
Edition description:	Anniversary
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	29,818
Product dimensions:	12.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	NP (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 6 Years

About the Author

Robert L. May created Rudolph in 1939, when his company, the Montgomery Ward department stores, asked him to write a Christmas story that they could give away to customers. Drawing on the tale of “The Ugly Duckling,” Mr. May penned the story of a sweet, homely reindeer shunned because of his glowing red nose. Little did he know his creation was destined to become a Christmas holiday classic. Over the next few years, the company distributed millions of copies of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The book’s copyright was transferred to Mr. May in 1947, and under his ownership, Rudolph’s popularity soared. Commercial printings and cartoons quickly followed, and then, of course, came the song, which secured Rudolph’s place in Christmas history, and in our hearts, forever. Robert L. May died in 1976.

Antonio Javier Caparo is a Cuban-born illustrator and designer. Although much of his early career was spent in graphic design, his passion for animation and comics led him to devote himself to illustration—both traditional and digital. He has been published around the world and has won numerous awards in multiple countries. He lives in Quebec, Canada.

Editorial Reviews

09/15/2014
The original Rudolph story—as written by the late May for a booklet published in 1939 by retailer Montgomery Ward—enjoys a vivid revival in this 75th-anniversary adaptation. The story, more expansive than the omnipresent Christmas carol, gives Caparo plenty of room to exercise his artistic talents. After being teased by the other reindeer, Rudolph settles into his bedroom, buried under thick quilts and looking forward to gifts from Santa. May’s rhymes hold up well to contemporary ears (“And Santa was right, as he usually is./ The fog was as thick as a soda’s white fizz”), and after Santa struggles to deliver gifts amid inclement weather, he happily happens upon Rudolph’s home and enlists his help. Caparo’s wintry spreads, swirled with starlight, have a cinematic richness—a sense of wonder and surprise permeate this whimsical retelling. Ages 4–6. Illustrator’s agency: Shannon Associates. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

2014-08-12
The original 1939 story about a reindeer with a noteworthy nose serves as the text of this lavishly illustrated, oversize interpretation of Rudolph's place in Christmas lore. The cover illustration draws readers in to the story with an evocative view of Rudolph and the reindeer team pulling Santa and his sleigh through an azure sky. The paper used for the cover has a mottled, opalescent shine which, along with hazy swirls and shimmering bubbles, suggests the magical nature of flying reindeer and Santa himself. This use of glowing illumination to set a mysterious tone is repeated when Rudolph peeks into Santa's toy sack during the Christmas Eve toy delivery, with radiant light emanating from the reindeer's rosy nose, as it does on nearly every page. The 75-year-old rhyming story is a little too long and a little too singsong, with some of the phraseology a trifle dated for today's children and some of the rhyming word pairs struggling to fit the meter. However, there is no other full-sized version of this original story of Rudolph with contemporary illustrations currently in print; most picture-book versions are based on the alternate television version of Rudolph's story. (A new edition of this interpretation, retold by Thea Feldman, also publishes in 2014.) Rudolph and his contribution to the Santa saga seem firmly entrenched in American Christmas tradition, and this fresh look at the reindeer that triumphs over rejection and a seeming disability may be a new holiday classic. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews

How do you review a classic? It's not easy but I must admit that it was a lot of fun to read the tale of Rudolph as it was originally written.

We all know the story of Rudolph, how the other reindeer teased him because of his bright red nose, how he ran away, and then how he came back and saved Christmas. In the original version, a poem written by Robert May, Rudolph is actually living with other reindeer, far from Santa's home in the North Pole. Like all the other animals, and girls and boys, on Christmas Eve, Rudolph is fast asleep, dreaming of the toys Santa will bring. But Santa is having trouble delivering his gifts because a terrible fog has settled into the land. What will happen if he can't get to all the houses? Santa is in a panic and he doesn't know what to do, but then he comes upon the house where Rudolph and his friends live. Perhaps that bright red nose... There is, of course, a happy ending, Rudolph saves the day, all the toys are distributed, and Christmas is saved.

Applewood Books is a publishing company that has brought many classics back to life to be enjoyed by new generations of readers. For Rudolph, they have kept the look of the original 1939 publication by using the same text, design, illustrations, and even typeface. The delightful feel of the original is kept and while reading, it becomes clear why this story has become a cherished part of every Christmas. Don't miss it!

Quill says: Every home should have a copy of this book to enjoy at Christmas!

Feathered Quill - Holly Connors

10/01/2014
Gr 2–4—Written in 1939 for Montgomery Ward department stores, this is the original story that created an icon and inspired the classic song. Told in the style of Clement Clarke Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas," Rudolph of the glowing red nose is teased by the other deer, only taking comfort in the coming of Santa. "He'd get just as much (and this is what pleased him) as the happier, handsomer reindeer who teased him." On Christmas Eve, with a foggy night causing mishaps and endangering his mission, Santa turns to Rudolph to save the day. While not indicated, this version of May's story has been adapted somewhat, with several couplets removed and some changes to words and phrases. This modernizes and streamlines the text, but also affects the richness of the language. The large trim size and many spreads make this a fun and easy choice for families and Rudolph fans to share.—Brooke Sheets, Los Angeles Public Library

School Library Journal

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