ALA Booklist (Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

"Way up in the North / Where the reindeer run / A big mommy elf / Called her little elfie one." After a conversation in their kitchen, the scene shifts to a father mouse and "his little mousies two" in their cozy home behind the baseboard, followed by a gingerbread daddy and "his little gingies three" leaping off the decorated tree. The action continues outdoors, with carolers singing, polar bears swimming, snowmen shivering, and stars winking. As Santa's sleigh rises into the sky, he calls down to the elfie family that he will be back for "some Merry Christmas fun!" In recent years, many picture books have used the structure, rhythm, and cadence of the old counting rhyme beginning "Over in the meadow," but few writers have come up with a version that works as well as this cheerful text, or one that ties up so well in the end. Capturing the upbeat tone of Jane's verse, Manning's lovely watercolor illustrations are brimming with warmth, spontaneity, and joy. A magical visit to Santa's home base on Christmas Eve.

Horn Book (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Way up in the North / Came a knock upon the door. / Surprise! A mother caroler / And her little carolers four!

School Library Journal (Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

PreS-Gr 2 This variation on the popular and catchy classic children's rhyme "Over in the Meadow" changes the location to "way up in the North" and attempts to inspire the holiday spirit using many characters frequently associated with Christmas (elves, carolers, gingerbread men, etc.) and some who don't have a direct tie-in (mice, polar bears, cats). It's easy to get caught up in the sing-song rhythm, but some of the vocabulary gives it an odd ring. The gingerbread daddy has "little gingies three" and "old mommy polar" has "little polies five." Manning's watercolors are brimming with energy and humor in a seemingly slapdash style reminiscent of David Catrow. Without exception, the characters are alive and engaged in their own antics. VERDICT A lighthearted, nonreligious read-aloud for the younger set. Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library