Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Jeffers continues her series of interpretations of traditional holiday stories and songs (The Twelve Days of Christmas, 2013, etc.) with this large-format version of the beloved holiday song. An intriguing cover invites readers along for a "ride in a one-horse open sleigh" drawn by a beautiful, white horse dashing through flurries of snow. In the sleigh are the main characters of the visual story Jeffers has created to support the song's lyrics, a white brother and sister and their little white terrier. They are carrying a Christmas package for Grandma, and their journey to deliver her gift across snow-covered fields is filled with adventure. The sleigh overturns, and the dog runs after a rabbit, getting lost in the snow and then encountering a fox, swans, otters, and raccoons. The children must go on without their pet, but when they arrive at Grandma's house, they see reindeer and another sleigh in the yard. Inside, Santa is having tea with Grandma, with the missing dog on his lap. Jeffers excels at snowy scenes, with masterful compositions integrating terrier and wild animals as the children call for their pet, always just missing a connection. The words to the song can be sung at tempo with the story unfolding quickly, or the text can be read slowly as a poem, with the details of the lovely art savored at a leisurely pace. A perfect choice for reading or singing on wintry nights. (Picture book. 2-6)

Horn Book

Two modern-day kids (plus their adorable Westie) enlist a pony and sleigh to deliver a present. The sleigh tips over, the dog takes off after a rabbit, and a fox takes after the dog. The traditional song's text has puzzlingly little to do with the visual story, but it might be fun to sing while examining Jeffers's precise and gentle watercolor and ink art.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Jeffers continues her series of interpretations of traditional holiday stories and songs (The Twelve Days of Christmas, 2013, etc.) with this large-format version of the beloved holiday song. An intriguing cover invites readers along for a "ride in a one-horse open sleigh" drawn by a beautiful, white horse dashing through flurries of snow. In the sleigh are the main characters of the visual story Jeffers has created to support the song's lyrics, a white brother and sister and their little white terrier. They are carrying a Christmas package for Grandma, and their journey to deliver her gift across snow-covered fields is filled with adventure. The sleigh overturns, and the dog runs after a rabbit, getting lost in the snow and then encountering a fox, swans, otters, and raccoons. The children must go on without their pet, but when they arrive at Grandma's house, they see reindeer and another sleigh in the yard. Inside, Santa is having tea with Grandma, with the missing dog on his lap. Jeffers excels at snowy scenes, with masterful compositions integrating terrier and wild animals as the children call for their pet, always just missing a connection. The words to the song can be sung at tempo with the story unfolding quickly, or the text can be read slowly as a poem, with the details of the lovely art savored at a leisurely pace. A perfect choice for reading or singing on wintry nights. (Picture book. 2-6)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

A variety of rambunctious animals are the real stars of Jeffers-s playful take on this omnipresent holiday song. The lyrics to the eponymous carol curl and sway across the pages, appearing alongside lustrous watercolor-and-ink paintings of a snowy forest. A brother and sister, bundled up in winter wear and carrying a wrapped gift for their grandmother, set out on a sleigh but tumble into the snow when a deer startles their horse. Though their sleigh is soon up and running, the kids- dog runs after a rabbit, sparking a chase that leads to a search for their pet. Readers will be tickled to discover the identity of the children-s grandparents (Santa and the Mrs.) as well as the gift they have brought her-a pair of hockey skates that she and Santa try out in an ending that will trigger smiles, even if it-s a bit out of left field. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

School Library Journal (Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

PreS-Gr 1Jeffers reimagines "Jingle Bells" in the wintry countryside. A little girl, her brother, and a mischievous Westie climb aboard their "one-horse open sleigh" to deliver a Christmas gift to their grandmother, and high jinks abound. As they dash through the snowy landscape, everyone tumbles out of the sleigh to the shock of nearby deer. The Westie takes off on a merry chase with a hare and a fox and the siblings encounter a myriad of curious animals (a picture glossary of the animals encountered is appended). Eventually the trio arrive at grandmother's houseand in a clever twist, grandpa happens to be Santa. The family straps on their ice skates and glide joyfully across the frozen river. Jeffers's signature watercolor-and-ink paintings capture the soft winter landscape, ensuring that readers will snuggle a little closer with loved ones. The song lyrics have been altered to fit the plot, but they are mostly intact and still very singable. VERDICT Perfect for one-on-one sharing or holiday storytime; the back matter encourages a second read to find all the critters missed the first time around.Shanna Kim, Los Angeles Public Library