Expatriate Japanese author/illustrator Atsuko Morozumi, now living in England, spins a magical tale in this sweet holiday picture-book. When a group of elves must flee their forest home when it is threatened by the advent of human loggers, they follow their leader Elwin on an epic journey north, searching for a new place to call home. Eventually, weary and cold, they stumble across a farm in the far north, and are taken in by its owner - none other than Santa Claus! Here they eventually settle, building new homes with the help of their benefactor. Then, when Santa falls ill, and gets behind on his toy-making, the elves step in...

Although I wouldn't describe it as a new holiday favorite, I did enjoy The Elves' First Christmas, which I read somewhat after the fact (it now being January) because the inter-library loan took so long to arrive. Next year I need to be better organized, in putting in my holiday requests! However that may be, this paired a sweet, heartwarming tale with cute illustrations, and is a book that I imagine will be very appealing to young children who enjoy tales of Santa and his helpers. Apparently Morozumi also worked on Moe Price's The Reindeer Christmas, which I may try to track down next year. Recommended to all young Santa lovers, especially those who wonder how the elves came to work with him. ( )