Young readers will relish the holiday feel to this charming story, and the notion that undercover elves are more commonplace than we think will spark their fancy. While explaining how different undercover elves are from the more classic North Pole variety (think an affinity for red and green clothes rather than pointy ears, which make it hard to fit in), Brady gives readers an opportunity to see magic in their everyday surroundings—and to better understand how Santa is able to coordinate his annual trips. In this spin on yuletide cheer, undercover elves never stop working, whether they’re dropping hints about what pets to expect in each house or helping Santa remember which homes have doors instead of chimneys.

Parents and caregivers will appreciate the book’s nod to good behavior—the narrator’s mom spends time checking in with school staff to monitor kids’ behavior and agonizes over adding them to the naughty list, a task that inevitably makes her cry. Colored pencil illustrations by Chuck Sirko, with Noah and Mason Spencer, are understated, allowing room for readers’ imaginations while still adding a cheery backdrop. The end result is a story that will leave readers eagerly anticipating holiday celebrations.

Takeaway: A festive holiday story that brings magic to the everyday.

Great for fans of: Devin Scillian’s Memoirs of an Elf, Lori Evert’s The Christmas Wish.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: B
Editing: B
Marketing copy: B