Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A friendship story for under the tree.Finally it feels like Christmas, Mistletoe the mouse thinks to herself as she walks through the snow to her friend Norwell the elephants house. But Norwell doesnt like the cold and wont come outside to join her. Instead, Mistletoe visits him inside his cozy house for tea before heading home. Eager to encourage her friend to experience the peaceful beauty of a wintertime snowfall, Mistletoe devises a plan to help him be more comfortable outside. That plan involves lots of yarn and lots of knitting. In fact, Hills devotes several spreads to the process of knitting and buying more colorful yarn before Mistletoe finally completes her friends gift on Christmas Eve. When she awakens on Christmas morning, Mistletoe finds that Santa has visited, but instead of opening her gifts, she hurries out the door with her enormous present tied up with a bow to deliver to Norwell. He, too, has made something for her: a painting he based on seeing her enjoying the snowfall. But readers favorite picture will likely be the one that reveals Norwell all dressed up in the enormous, colorful knitted bodysuit that Mistletoe made for him. Though his outfit is striped, not checkered, some readers may liken Norwells appearance to David McKees Elmer the Patchwork Elephant; all readers will be delighted to finally see him outside with his friend.Warming through and through. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A friendship story for under the tree. “Finally it feels like Christmas,” Mistletoe the mouse thinks to herself as she walks through the snow to her friend Norwell the elephant’s house. But Norwell doesn’t like the cold and won’t come outside to join her. Instead, Mistletoe visits him inside his cozy house for tea before heading home. Eager to encourage her friend to experience the peaceful beauty of a wintertime snowfall, Mistletoe devises a plan to help him be more comfortable outside. That plan involves lots of yarn and lots of knitting. In fact, Hills devotes several spreads to the process of knitting and buying more colorful yarn before Mistletoe finally completes her friend’s gift on Christmas Eve. When she awakens on Christmas morning, Mistletoe finds that Santa has visited, but instead of opening her gifts, she hurries out the door with her enormous present tied up with a bow to deliver to Norwell. He, too, has made something for her: a painting he based on seeing her enjoying the snowfall. But readers’ favorite picture will likely be the one that reveals Norwell all dressed up in the enormous, colorful knitted bodysuit that Mistletoe made for him. Though his outfit is striped, not checkered, some readers may liken Norwell’s appearance to David McKee’s Elmer the Patchwork Elephant; all readers will be delighted to finally see him outside with his friend. Warming through and through. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Mouse Mistletoe felt Christmassy as she trekked through snow to elephant friend Norwell's house to invite him on a walk, but he thinks it "looks cold out there." This inspires Mistletoe to make Norwell a very special, very big Christmas present to wear outdoors: a rainbow-striped knitted onesie. The cheerful digital illustrations' mix of spot art, full pages, and spreads helps Hills pace his engaging narrative, especially when emphasizing the passage of time as Mistletoe knits and knits with all that yarn until Christmas Eve. This sweet friendship tale reminds readers that "a truly special gift comes not only from the heart but also from the hands," a message that should keep us all as "toasty and warm" as Norwell. (c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.