Interest Level

Grades K - 2

Reading Level

Grade level Equivalent: 2

Lexile® Measure: AD390L

DRA: 20

Guided Reading: L

There certainly are many books and movies about some unlikely hero who has to save a daffy Santa from near Christmas disaster. This is another one to add to the collection - cute none the less. Fun illustrations - hard to resist a cute cuddly sheep - especially before bed time.

When Santa crash lands in Firefly Wood on Christmas Eve night, destroying his sleigh in the process, he declares that Christmas is canceled. Russell the Sheep, still awake because he has been lighting the lanterns on the old tree, rushes to the scene, and proposes a solution. But will his technological alternative to Santa's sleigh work with the great Christmas Spell...?

The third story to feature this endearing ovine hero that I have read - Russell the Sheep and Russell and the Lost Treasure being the first two - Russell's Christmas Magic wasn't really all that impressive, from a storytelling perspective, but still managed to charm me, with its idiosyncratically delightful artwork. I have a weakness for Russell's endlessly curling cap, and the winter scenes here are really quite appealing, so I didn't mind all that much that the story was rather weak. I don't know that I'd recommend this one that strongly, on its own merits, but for young Russell fans, I think it might make a pleasing holiday interlude. ( )

Rob Scotton has another winner with Russell's Christmas Magic. This 32 page picture books teaches a good lesson to young readers about helping out those in need. Through teamwork with his sidekick, frog, Russell helps Santa and saves Christmas for the whole world. The detailed pictures in muted, wintery shades make the book appealing to all. Russell's creative plan for saving Santa shows readers that you can think 'outside the box'. The final page with Russell and frog is wonderful and shows both characters to their best advantage. This simple story is a good Chrismas read aloud. ( )