Growing Up & Facts of Life
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Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever
From the celebrated creator of Red and Lulu comes the story of a brave little doe who meets Santa and changes Christmas forever.
Dasher is an adventurous young reindeer with a wish in her heart. She spends her days with her family under the hot sun in a traveling circus, but she longs for a different life - one where there is snow beneath her hooves and the North Star above her head. One day, when the opportunity arises, Dasher seizes her destiny and takes off in pursuit of the life she wants to live. It's not long before she meets a nice man in a red suit with a horse-drawn sleigh - a man named Santa. And soon, with the help of a powerful Christmas wish, nothing will be the same.
Dasher is an adventurous young reindeer with a wish in her heart. She spends her days with her family under the hot sun in a traveling circus, but she longs for a different life - one where there is snow beneath her hooves and the North Star above her head. One day, when the opportunity arises, Dasher seizes her destiny and takes off in pursuit of the life she wants to live. It's not long before she meets a nice man in a red suit with a horse-drawn sleigh - a man named Santa. And soon, with the help of a powerful Christmas wish, nothing will be the same.
Editorial Reviews
Tavares excels at Christmas stories (Red & Lulu, The Gingerbread Pirates), and young readers are apt to inhale every word of this yarn. As an illustrator, Tavares is a master of dramatic light, emotion and mood, as well as deep, vibrant color, whether he's depicting Dasher's family penned in at the circus or Santa's sleigh magically lifting up into the air. Dasher is sure to join the stacks of enduring Christmas favorites read by families year after year.
-BookPage (starred review)
Gorgeous illustrations make this one sure to fly off shelves "like the down of a thistle."
-Kirkus Reviews
Richly colored illustrations in watercolor, gouache, pencil, and pastel delineate the history of how Dasher volunteered to pull Santa's sleigh and help him bring joy to children on Christmas. Readers will enjoy this lush new holiday tale that focuses on Santa's original reindeer.
-Booklist Online
Happily for all, a bit of magic assists gift delivery, and Santa's gratitude leads to granted wishes and a reindeer reunion. Tavares's classically painted figures are lit by moonlight and falling snow in this cozy antidote to holiday hullabaloo.
-Publishers Weekly
Dasher's personality is clearly conveyed through her fervent wish for a better life, and her love of her family...and of carrots. Tavares's painterly watercolor, gouache, pencil, and pastel illustrations reflect the pleasantly nostalgic tone used throughout this Santa's-reindeer origin story.
-The Horn Book
Matt Tavares's Dasher is magical. Kids are going to love this story for decades to come.
-Colby Sharp, co-founder of Nerdy Book Club
-BookPage (starred review)
Gorgeous illustrations make this one sure to fly off shelves "like the down of a thistle."
-Kirkus Reviews
Richly colored illustrations in watercolor, gouache, pencil, and pastel delineate the history of how Dasher volunteered to pull Santa's sleigh and help him bring joy to children on Christmas. Readers will enjoy this lush new holiday tale that focuses on Santa's original reindeer.
-Booklist Online
Happily for all, a bit of magic assists gift delivery, and Santa's gratitude leads to granted wishes and a reindeer reunion. Tavares's classically painted figures are lit by moonlight and falling snow in this cozy antidote to holiday hullabaloo.
-Publishers Weekly
Dasher's personality is clearly conveyed through her fervent wish for a better life, and her love of her family...and of carrots. Tavares's painterly watercolor, gouache, pencil, and pastel illustrations reflect the pleasantly nostalgic tone used throughout this Santa's-reindeer origin story.
-The Horn Book
Matt Tavares's Dasher is magical. Kids are going to love this story for decades to come.
-Colby Sharp, co-founder of Nerdy Book Club
Readers Top Reviews
Brooks RohdePatrioti
This is the best Christmas book I have read in ages. It is a prequel to Rudolf and much more in depth. It touches the heart and the art does justice to the story. Every family should read it every year...before they read Rudolf. It's that good.
Lost In The 18th Cen
Beautifully written,anyone would love this story!
Niki E.
I have a collection of Christmas picture books that I love to read aloud to my kids every year. I'm always on the look out for new books to add. This year, one of our favorite additions is Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares. The illustrations are stunning and the story is so sweet. I know this is one my children will be requesting me to read over and over.
J. T. Gray
This is wonderful story explaining how reindeer came to pull Santa's sleigh. Well written and beautifully illustrated. Will be a fun book for children to read during the Christmas season.
peapod622
This is a beautiful and touching story. The illustrations are gorgeous. The story is touching and sweet. Buy this book now!
