Matt Novak Book Last Christmas Present

Book Description
Irwin is the smallest, and busiest, elf at the North Pole. When Santa overlooks one wrapped present on Christmas Eve and the others tell Irwin to "go to bed, chucklehead," he instead sets out on what becomes a hilarious journey to deliver that last present. Full-color illustrations.
Reviews
FROM BOOKLIST

Ages 4-7. In the Santa's workshop of Novak's imagination, elves are mustachioed men wearing suits and matching bowler hats. They throw orders around because, here, rank has its privileges. And Irwin--being low elf on the totem pole--doesn't have any. So it is that soon after Santa leaves on Christmas Eve, Irwin discovers a present that has been left behind and decides to deliver it himself (since the others ignore his pleas). Our determined hero (with sidekick dogfriend Blitz) ventures into "unexplored territory"--dodging wolves, an avalanche, the abominable snowman, and sharks--and finally delivers the gift to Sam, a pigtailed little girl. But it is not the last Christmas present. That turns out to be a big surprise for all the elves at the North Pole. Like his Elmer Blunt's Open House , Novak's picture book is reminiscent of a comic book, with bright acrylic paintings, conversation bubbles, and clean page design.

FROM KIRKUS REVIEWS

A thoroughly contemporary twist on an old theme: little Irwin, in informal green and a peaked cap, is incessantly bossed by three big elves in suits and bowlers. When Santa forgets one present, it's Irwin who resourcefully harnesses a dog to his small sled and sets off through ``unexplored territory'' (a satisfyingly risky area with chasms, wolves, sharks, and similar amusements), catching up with Santa just as he realizes he's short one gift. Reward: the little elf gets a new office and a new title--``the boss.'' As he did in Elmer Blunt's Open House (1992), Novak tells the story mostly with his tidy, comical illustrations, in deftly designed, creatively varied comic-strip frames. Fans of Raymond Briggs's Father Christmas (1973) will be delighted to discover this new treat. (Picture book. 4-8)