About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels like they do not quite fit in or when they are struggling to find their unique place in a group. Olive is a sweet dog who mishears the lyrics to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and becomes convinced she is actually a reindeer. Despite the confusion, she travels to the North Pole to help Santa. This quirky, modern holiday classic explores themes of belonging, self-confidence, and how our supposed weaknesses or differences can actually be our greatest strengths. It is a perfect choice for children aged 3 to 7 who enjoy humor and a slightly absurdist take on traditional holiday tropes. Parents will appreciate the message that being yourself, even if you are a bit confused, is the best way to contribute to a team.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None. The story is whimsical and safe, with even the initial skepticism of the reindeer being portrayed as mild confusion rather than true exclusion or bullying.
Ideal Reader
A child who loves dogs and has a quirky sense of humor. Specifically, a child who enjoys stories about finding unique ways to contribute to a team or community.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. It is helpful to be familiar with the song 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' as the entire premise relies on the pun in the lyrics. None.
Age Experience
Preschoolers will enjoy the physical humor and the idea of a dog flying in a sleigh. Older children (6-7) will appreciate the wordplay, the absurdist illustrations, and the irony of Olive using dog skills to solve reindeer problems.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many Christmas books that lean into sentimentality, Olive uses a distinct, graphic-design-heavy art style and a deadpan, absurdist wit that feels fresh and modern even decades after its release.
Read plot summary
Olive is a Jack Russell Terrier who mishears 'all of the other reindeer' as 'Olive, the other reindeer.' Taking this as a sign of her true identity, she catches a bus to the North Pole. Initially, Santa and the team are skeptical, but Olive's canine skills (smelling, fetching, and chewing through tangled ropes) prove essential when the sleigh encounters trouble. Eventually, she returns home to her normal dog life, having saved the holiday.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Olive misheard a song and thought she was a reindeer. Have you ever misheard something and imagined a whole story about it?
2
Santa's reindeer are good at flying, but what special 'dog skills' did Olive use to help them out of trouble?
3
At first, Comet the reindeer says Olive can't join because she is a dog. How did Olive change his mind?
4
If you could join Santa's team for one night, what special skill would you bring to help him deliver presents?
