Lemming's First Christmas

LEMMING'S FIRST CHRISTMAS is a cute picture book about Christmas and friendship. Avinngaq lives under a house where she has just learned about the holiday, and her good friend Qimmiq knows how to celebrate - by decorating a tree and then Santa brings presents for under it. However, the other animals do not know what a tree is, as there are not any in the Arctic, so they work very hard to find one to decorate.

What I loved: This was a sweet picture book about Christmas in non-religious terms and working together/friendship. The animals all search for a tree that they can decorate to receive presents, with many bringing related items for Qimmiq to evaluate. The story is very simple and pages turn quickly with detailed illustrations throughout. The pages are in between board and picture book, which makes them quite sturdy, like a laminated cardstock thickness. This will work well for rougher little readers.

The back of the book includes some information about the animals as well as a pronunciation guide for the animals' names, which is very helpful. The font is clear and easy to read throughout, which makes this work well even in low light settings.

What left me wanting more: As a small thing, the whole story centers around trying to find a tree. It felt a bit drawn out with so many animals asking whether something was a tree. It would have been nice to see other information related to the holiday with this part shortened, but this will vary with reader preference.

Final verdict: LEMMING'S FIRST CHRISTMAS is an overall cute picture book about friendship and the Christmas holiday.

Lemming’s First Christmas tells the story of a lemming named Avingaq, who lives under a house and hears people singing about Santa Claus. She then asks her friends who Santa Claus is and they explain that he puts presents under a tree. Avingaq now needs her friends to help her find a tree so that they can celebrate Christmas and get presents delivered by Santa. Avingaq’s friends look for the perfect tree yet bring back items that aren’t exactly a tree. Will they find a tree in time for Christmas? 

What I liked: I am not too familiar with a lemming, but the cover of this book was too cute, and Christmas is my favorite holiday. I am really glad that I got the chance to read this book because the images stand out and the story is cute. 

I love how each of the characters brings different items to Avingaq and asks if what they have found is a tree. I love that while each of them brings something that isn’t a tree, each of the items that they provided is useful. I appreciate that the tree they find is something that they stumble upon right as they are ready to give up. 

After the story, some pages show you how to pronounce each of the character’s names as they are Inuit. It explains what the names mean and provides you with the pronunciation for them. I appreciate that this is included as I was struggling while reading through this book, I do wish that the book opened with this piece though so that I would know it was there. 

Final Verdict: Lemming’s First Christmas is a great book to introduce children to the concept of Santa Claus. This book shows how a Christmas tree doesn’t have to look one specific way and shows how everyone can participate in the holiday.