The Little Yellow Digger Saves Christmas

This is the second book in this series which is not written and illustrated by Betty and Alan Gilderdale. Their son, Peter has written it and it is illustrated in a similar style to the original by Fifi Colston. This story will appeal to young readers because it involves not only the little yellow digger but also Santa.

Young children will also enjoy the suspenseful plot, beginning with Santa having to resort to driving a ute from the North Pole to New Zealand because one of the reindeer is sick. Although the little yellow digger’s first efforts to save the day are thwarted, a solution is ultimately found and the story ends with Christmas saved. Peter has written the story in rhyming verse and while some of the rhymes are a bit clunky, children will enjoy having the story read aloud and it will be useful in the classroom and at home, particularly at this time of year.

Title: The Little Yellow Digger Saves Christmas

Author: Peter Gilderdale

Illustrator: Fifi Colston

Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN: 978-1-77543-623-2

RRP: $19.99

Format: Paperback

Publication: 2020

Age Range: Picturebook

Advisory warnings: No

Reviewer: Carola Crawford, English teacher, Karanga Mai Young Parents’ College

How highly are you recommending this book: Recommended

What’s the book’s opening sentence? There was just one day till Christmas, we were setting up our play.

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