There's children's letters to compile and respond to, there's toys to finish making, there's even a new gift-delivery vehicle to create... after all, the reindeer aren't going anywhere...
The resourceful Mrs Christmas instead sets about inventing a super sonic bicycle powered by the vacuum cleaner! and busily stacks her bike baskets full. She then dresses in her red suit, slicks on some lippie - and she's out the door.
From chimney to chimney, Mrs Christmas gets the job done, and when she returns, she's delighted to be treated to a lovely hot bath and a delicious supper... prepared by a recovering Santa.
The illustrations in Mrs Christmas are lustrously beautiful. Warm, detailed, snowy and gorgeous - they are a sheer delight to pore over. The storyline is equally charming but I did find the voice of the text a little 'unedited'. The flow and the wordage used seem slightly stoccato and more like someone reporting an event, rather than the typical, flowing storybook-type copy this book deserves.
Nevertheless, this small issue will not affect how children enjoy this story - and enjoy it they will.
Title: Mrs Christmas
Author/Illustrator: Penny Ives
Author/Illustrator: Penny Ives
Publisher: Puffin, A$14.95
Publication Date: 6 February 1998
Format: Soft cover
