Santa's all set to deliver the presents--but the reindeers' harness snaps, leaving him and the sleigh (sans reindeer) near a barn. No problem; Santa uses magic to hitch up cows, pigs, and sheep instead. After the problem is solved, the story fizzles. Some humor comes across in the exaggerated illustrations of the chubby, hapless farm animals.

Roly-poly Santa plunges to the ground when his sleigh breaks, and he meets an unlikely cast of reindeer substitutes. Stranded and isolated in the snow, he stumbles upon a barn with numerous farm occupants. His drafted replacements need little encouragement to assist during the night's critical toy delivery. Though the animals' panicky expressions suggest otherwise, there are no roadblocks along the successful trip from house to home, and Santa generously rewards his new helpers. Glossy digital spreads accentuate humorous moments as incredulous faces register anxiety at their unusual predicament. Shifting perspective expands vast scenes as the imposing sleigh rockets through the snow-speckled sky. Glints of sparkly light radiate through clean nighttime scenes. There's little conflict to accelerate the slight storyline, and the earnest voice occasionally plods through instead of flying along the journey. "Delivering presents to all the children of the world is a big job to do in one night. They were so far behind schedule! They had to work twice as hard! There was barely time for cookies and milk this year!" Dynamic typography emphasizes each bang and bump during the ride, compensating for the minimal characterization to strengthen the clear-cut narrative. A lighthearted lift for the holiday season, though the pat ending renders it a little more "ho-ho-hum" than "ho-ho-ho." (Picture book. 4-8)

When Santa-s reindeer harness rips, the reindeer head skyward and his sleigh crashes into a barn. Discovered by inquisitive, slightly bug-eyed farm animals, Santa hatches a plan: -Now, Sheep! Now, Goat! Now, Piggy and Cows! On, Horsey! On Doggie! Oh, what a Christmas flight we have now!- After Santa and his menagerie deliver the presents, he-s reunited with the reindeer, but he leaves a special surprise for his tired new friends. Garland-s coyly expressive, digital cartoon animals pop off the page in this funny holiday adventure. Ages 4-up. (Sept.)

PreS-Gr 1 As Santa begins his deliveries, the harness breaks and the sleigh careens down a mountain and smacks into a barn, where the jolly old gent dusts himself off and enlists the help of some humble farm animals to pull it. Two sheep, a goat, a pig, two cows, a horse, and a very old dog form a makeshift team and fly off on their journey. After getting through the long night, Santa returns them to their barn with a decorated tree and plenty of presents. Though there isn't much to the unoriginal plot, the glossy, Pixar-like illustrations of Santa and the bug-eyed animals are funny and exuberant, and the short, peppy text will work well at storytime. Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library