Once Upon a Stolen Sleigh
Welcoming the reader into the book, Santa wastes no time in establishing that dire deeds are ahead and they must be the hero of this clever and charming story. The O’Hara sisters have an impressive track record of collaboration on picturebooks that entrance and Once Upon a Stolen Sleigh is no exception. Using classic fairytale conventions in combination with a simplified ‘choose your own adventure’ strategy creates something novel and highly appealing.
Without giving too much away, the wicked (but rather dashing) Thief King’s hatred of Christmas leads to an unfortunate complication for Santa and the possible ruin of the festive season. All may not be lost as long as willing readers make the choices necessary to save the day, and whether it is a silent night or the snowmen’s ball, there are variations to engage any reader. Natalia O’Hara’s appealingly quirky text is highly entertaining, drawing on familiar Christmas tropes that a child will recognise and enjoy using in their construction of the story. For those readers fresh to sugar plums and stockings, the story builds this familiarity in original and amusing ways. Lauren O’Hara’s illustrations are a delight, simultaneously detailed yet uncluttered with a classic quality that perfectly balances the lyrical eccentricity of the story.
This is a very satisfying execution of a distinctive approach to the Christmas picturebook, refreshing what can be a predictable and tired category with aplomb. To anyone doubting whether they have room for another Christmas book on the shelf, the only possible response is poohooey!
