Dot, the smallest reindeer at the North Pole, is too little to fly with the reindeer team on Christmas Eve, but she helps Santa in a different, unexpected way. Dot is distressed because she can't jump and fly like the other, bigger reindeer. Her family members encourage her and help her practice her skills, and her mother tells her, "There's always next year." Dot's elf friend, Oliver, encourages her and spends time playing with her, doing things that Dot can do well, such as building a snowman and chasing their friend Yeti (who looks like a fuzzy, white gumdrop). On Christmas Eve, Santa and the reindeer team take off with their overloaded sleigh. Only Dot notices one small present that's fallen in the snow, and she successfully leaps into the departing sleigh with the gift. This climactic flying leap into the sleigh is not adequately illustrated, as Dot is shown just starting to leap and then already in the sleigh. A saccharine conclusion notes that being little can sometimes be great and that "having a friend by your side makes anything possible." The story is pleasant but predictable, with an improbably easy solution to Dot's problem. Illustrations in a muted palette are similarly pleasant but predictable, with a greeting-card flavor that lacks originality. The elf characters include boys, girls, and adults; all the elves and Santa and Mrs. Claus are white. A forgettable tale. (Picture book. 3-5)

PreS-KDot the reindeer is too little to help Santa pull the sleigh on Christmas, but she and her elf friend Oliver practice and practice because Dot really wants to have that special job. All of her family members try to share tips and are very supportive, but Dot is just too small. But then, just as Santa is leaving, Dot spots a tiny lost present, grabs it, and make a desperate leap into the sleigh. The soft, colorful illustrations have commercial appeal without being distinguished. Overall this is a sweet, positive story addressed to frustrated preschoolers who need reassurance that they will eventually succeed. VERDICT A cheerful, ephemeral addition to holiday collections.Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library