Review by Martha Quillen
Local Book – November 2000 – Colorado Central Magazine
How Ricky Saved Christmas
by Eleanor Perry with illustrations by Fay Golson
Published in 2000 by Rember Publishing, Buena Vista
ISBN 0-939101-12-2
HOW RICKY SAVED CHRISTMAS is a children’s Christmas tale by local author Eleanor Perry, with cover art and illustrations by Fay Golson. The book stars 8-year-old Ricky O’Brien, a Colorado Springs orphan as the boy who’s just a natural born leader — the one who looks after all his fellow orphans at the Watson Home. So when Ricky hears a television news bulletin pronouncing that Santa is gravely ill and the elves are so despondent they’re unable to work, he figures he’s just the one to rally the North Pole workers.
Thus, Ricky stows away to the North Pole on a military transport plane, meets the slowly recovering Santa, revitalizes the elves, saves the day, and finds two loving parents.
Ricky is a quick, engaging story, (although pretty predictable, which is, I suspect, what young children like.) My guess is that it’s written and designed to read aloud over the course of several evenings to children eight and under, although kids a little older might like it and read it themselves if they’re not cynical types.
A sample, so you can gauge the reading and comprehension level:
The television screen flashed the words, News Bulletin:
“We interrupt this program to bring you a special announcement,” a voice said. Fifteen children, ranging in age from four to eight, groaned in unison as their Saturday morning cartoons were interrupted.
In seconds, news anchorman Larry Sherwin announced, “KUTV of Colorado Springs, Colorado has just received word from the North Pole that Santa Claus is seriously ill with the flu. Santa’s workshop is completely shut down…”
I wish I’d had time to try this book out on a real youngster, and to see the final product. But it wasn’t back from the printer’s before we went to press, so I had to make do with reading the manuscript and seeing a few galleys. I think the book should look great, though (since all of Perry’s books are professionally and attractively produced).
How Ricky Saved Christmas will arrive at local book stores sometime in November and there’s a book signing at Adventure Media in Salida on November 24. Other book signings are still being arranged, so look for dates in local papers or ask at your local bookstore.
–Martha Quillen