Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas

by Matt Tavares Narrated by Laural Merlington

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Christmas time is here again, and Dasher is ready. This gentle read celebrates the season with gorgeous illustrations and a subtle charm that will warm you through any snow.

With only one sleep left before Christmas Eve, Dasher can't contain her excitement for her favorite holiday. With the sound of Christmas carols on the breeze and twinkling lights radiating from a nearby city, she sneaks off to visit the festivities. But as night deepens and snow starts to fall, Dasher realizes she can no longer spot the North Star in the sky to lead her home. Will the kindness of a child, an unexpected gift, and a dose of Christmas spirit get her back in time to help guide Santa's sleigh? The New York Times bestselling creator of Dasher has crafted another delightful journey featuring everyone's favorite reindeer doe, in a story full of giving, joy, and holiday magic.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Tavares returns with another Christmas treat for readers. . . . This happy ending fits the book’s overall gentle, celebratory tone, which is enhanced by painterly digital illustrations in a realistic style that somehow feels simultaneously nostalgic and current. . . . Christmas-book lovers should dash to add this one to their shelves.
—Kirkus Reviews

This story is another adventure for Dasher, and it does not disappoint. . . . The illustrations may appear simple, but they are not to be underestimated. The reindeer look incredibly authentic. Dasher displays subtle expressions, from inquisitive, to exhausted, and then grateful as she leaves her helper. Children of all ages will enjoy this special story for years to come. . . . A must-have for the holidays.
—School Library Journal

In art that makes the most of landscapes, Taveres offers narrative tension (“Tonight is Christmas Eve! You’ve got to get home”), personal stakes (“She was exhausted. And hungry”), and all the picturesque snow that a holiday story requires.
—Publishers Weekly

Tavares’ witty stories, detailed research, and picture-perfect illustrations have long delighted children. This fall, he’s back with the sequel, 'Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas.'. . . Published by local publisher Candlewick Press, it tells the story of the titular reindeer and how in her excitement she gets lost, and has to rely on the help of others to get back to Santa’s sleigh in time for Christmas. It’s a beautiful, joyful story.
—Boston.com

Audiofile Magazine

Young listeners enchanted by the holiday magic of DASHER will be delighted with this audiobook sequel, narrated once again by Laural Merlington [...] Merlington’s narrative style gently conveys Dasher’s childlike impatience, her mother’s wisdom, and the child’s kindness. Merlington’s rich voice enhances a wintry landscape glittering with jingle bells, angelic choral singing, and an evocative musical score.

AudioFile

Merlington’s narrative style gently conveys Dasher’s childlike impatience, her mother’s wisdom, and the child’s kindness. Merlington’s rich voice enhances a wintry landscape glittering with jingle bells, angelic choral singing, and an evocative musical score. Pair this with the illustrated book to capture the spirit of seasonal anticipation.”

NOVEMBER 2023 - AudioFile

Young listeners enchanted by the holiday magic of DASHER will be delighted with this audiobook sequel, narrated once again by Laural Merlington. Impatient for the arrival of the night before Christmas, reindeer Dasher secretly flies off to experience the sounds and lights of holiday celebrations. But when a snowstorm delays her return, she must rely on a child's unique gift to navigate back to the North Pole with enough time to help Santa on Christmas Eve. Merlington's narrative style gently conveys Dasher's childlike impatience, her mother's wisdom, and the child's kindness. Merlington's rich voice enhances a wintry landscape glittering with jingle bells, angelic choral singing, and an evocative musical score. Pair this with the illustrated book to capture the spirit of seasonal anticipation. S.A.A. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2023-08-12
Tavares returns with another Christmas treat for readers.

Building on the success of Dasher (2019), which shared the origin story behind one of Santa Claus’ flying reindeer, this latest offering revisits the young doe. Fairly bursting with anticipation, Dasher can’t wait for Christmas. Each night, she looks forward to pulling Santa’s sleigh. The night before Christmas Eve, she can’t sleep, so she leaves the North Pole. Unfortunately, Christmas lights catch her eye as she flies through the night sky, and she ends up getting lost. Just as children helped her out of a bad situation in the prior book, a child comes to Dasher’s aid in this story, too. Dasher makes it back to the North Pole and is reunited with Santa and the rest of the reindeer—and just in time to deliver presents. What goes around comes around, and Dasher puts a plan into action to thank the helpful child. This happy ending fits the book’s overall gentle, celebratory tone, which is enhanced by painterly digital illustrations in a realistic style that somehow feels simultaneously nostalgic and current. Santa and the child are light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Christmas-book lovers should dash to add this one to their shelves. (Picture book. 3-6)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940160026534
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	10/03/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

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