Russell's Christmas Magic

Russell the Sheep

by Rob Scotton

When Santa and his broken sleigh are stranded in Firefly Wood, Santa is sure that Christmas will have to be canceled. That is, until Russell the Sheep comes to the rescue! With a clatter and a bang, Russell shows that hard work and a little imagination can make a magic that is all his own.

Everyone's favorite woolly sheep is baaaack in a Christmas story perfect for any eager child awaiting Santa's arrival.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Humor, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Rob Scotton is the bestselling author and illustrator of "Russell the Sheep," and "Russell and the Lost Treasure." His latest book, "Splat the Cat" is the story of a young cat facing all the wonders and worries of his first day at cat school. Rob's work can also be found on greeting cards, ceramics, textiles, prints, stationery, and glassware. An honors graduate of Leicester Polytechnic, Rob now lives in Rutland, England, with his wife, Liz, who is also an artist.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Santa crash lands in Firefly Wood on Christmas Eve night, destroying his sleigh in the process, he declares that Christmas is canceled. Russell the Sheep, still awake because he has been lighting the lanterns on the old tree, rushes to the scene, and proposes a solution. But will his technological alternative to Santa's sleigh work with the great Christmas Spell...?

The third story to feature this endearing ovine hero that I have read - Russell the Sheep and Russell and the Lost Treasure being the first two - Russell's Christmas Magic wasn't really all that impressive, from a storytelling perspective, but still managed to charm me, with its idiosyncratically delightful artwork. I have a weakness for Russell's endlessly curling cap, and the winter scenes here are really quite appealing, so I didn't mind all that much that the story was rather weak. I don't know that I'd recommend this one that strongly, on its own merits, but for young Russell fans, I think it might make a pleasing holiday interlude.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of stories about Russell the sheep, here’s a Christmas book. Santa Claus runs into some trouble, and is about to cancel Christmas, when Russell comes to save the day.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Rob Scotton's work, and I especially love Russell the Sheep! A fun Christmas story of Russell saving Christmas. Fabulous humor among all of the pictures. While this book would still be funny in a preschool storytime (and perhaps better in a school-age one), I think the best use of it is a lap-read or read-alone so the reader can see all of the fabulous pictures in up-close enjoyment.

Favorite parts: Russell and Santa on the roof, Russell with a stethoscope, Russell's fixed solution, and the frog--in everthing!

12/14/16 Used as opener for Preschool Christmas theme. I decided to try some newer books rather than the standard ones I read each Christmas! The kids definitely enjoyed the illustrations even if they could not see all the details. They loved the car. Might have missed some of the pun humor, of course, but still a success.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does the world need a book about a sheep that saves Christmas? Well, no, but does the world need a book about most of the other stuff that people write books about? Almost certainly not. And there you go. The illustrations are charming in any case. Or, no, not really charming, but "charming" is a word one uses to describe illustrations in a review of a children's book, I think.

My kid didn't like it so much as I did. No fairies in it. But I like ruminants with welding torches; she likes fairies. We agree to disagree.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russell is hanging lanterns on the tree when all of a sudden Santa's sleigh breaks down. Santa tells Russell Christmas will need to be cancelled. Russell then comes up with a clever plan to fix Santa's sleigh so that everyone will have a Merry Christmas. The illustrations are wonderful and magical. I especially love the one of the hanging lanterns and sheep sleeping with quilted blankets covering them. Even the details of Russell's pal frog making snow angels are adorable.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book. This should be added to favorite Christmas stories!

[★ gwiz ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful twist to A Night Before Christmas when Santa has a broken sleigh.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frogsbottom Field, hahahahahahaha! :D

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really wish they would turn this book into an animated Christmas special. It could play every year with A Charlie Brown Christmas. It fits. Russell helps Santa when the sleigh crashes. Adorable and full of northern magic.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the others slept, Russell the sheep was still hanging ornaments on Christmas Eve. when Santa's sleigh crashes nearby, Russell uses his cleverness to help save Santa's work. Fun story and illustrations.

[Jeani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cute!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is so-so, but the illustrations are charming and magical. My husband wasn't nearly as charmed by them as I was, so your mileage may vary.

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. I like that the sheep is like a mechanic.

The illustration style is quite nice, especially the way they drew Santa.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations were cute, but the story just sort of sat there.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about how Russell the Sheep helps Santa when he has a Christmas Eve delivery problem. The book is good in that it shows the value of blue-collar work, like welding!

[Jazz Feylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful twist to A Night Before Christmas when Santa has a broken sleigh.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Rob Scotton's illustrative style with his Russell the Sheep series. The characters are adorable and funny. This story is a "Russell saves Christmas" kind of tale that is great to read at this time of year, but highly forgettable. Overall, we like Mr. Scotton's books and will certainly look for more at our local library and we enjoyed reading this book together.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit it. I love Rob Scotton's style. His illustrations are comic and so are the situations in his stories. In this instance our inimitable sheep Russell happens upon Santa shortly after a crash-landing of his sleigh. Santa is on the verge of cancelling Christmas. Never fear, Russell is here. You and the crowd to whom you are reading are going to love the solution.

[Nancy Jo Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am sucha sucker for a fun Christmas book for kids. Russell's Christmas Magic doesn't get more fun than this too! I love that this books speaks of the magic about Santa and his sleigh. Plus, the Russell saves Christmas and gets the smallest amount of the magic to light up Christmas! Come on! What is more fun than that!

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure there's a cuter illustration style out there, all the little sheep with their quilts! and don't forget to watch for the frog! Santa is just down right awesome. A cool book all around. Makes me want to look for more Russell stories.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations (computer generated images?) are really, really funny and fascinating. The story line was really an excuse to stop and look over the pages very carefully. We pored over each illustrated page, seeing new things each time we looked.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russell the Sheep saves the day when he helps Santa after Santa's sleigh crashes in Firefly Wood. The sleigh is beyond repair, but Russell uses his creativity to create a new vehicle for Santa. Cute story and darling illustrations.

[Dayna]

There certainly are many books and movies about some unlikely hero who has to save a daffy Santa from near Christmas disaster. This is another one to add to the collection - cute none the less. Fun illustrations - hard to resist a cute cuddly sheep - especially before bed time.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Russell saves Christmas with his determination and ingenuity!

My aunt gave this book to my kids a few years ago for Christmas. The story and illustrations are wonderful, and I look forward to reading it with the kids every year.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book. The page where russel has all the lanterns glowing, they really look like they're glowing. What a cool sled Russel makes for santa. Way to go russel you saved christmas.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute and original story line. Rob Scotton's pictures are the cutest around, showing detail and humor throughout the entire book. Destined to be a Christmas favorite among young ones! (and some older ones as well)

[D.peabody · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Russell stands in his field, Santa crashes to earth with a big thump. Christmas will be ruined! Unless... Russell has a great idea and saves the night. A fun story from a favourite character with simply beautiful illustrations.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russell thinks Christmas is ruined but he helps Santa and Christmas is saved. A great magical tale that will appeal to boys in particular but to everyone who loves the magic of Christmas. I can see I am going to have to read all the other books about Russell the Sheep.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow Russell arrives in Firefly Wood in the nick of time to help Santa and his Reindeer!
Once more, the illustrations are packed with humour and whimsy, while gentle Russell the Sheep is the hero of the hour!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Santa crashes in the woods, Russell comes to the rescue by making the sleigh better than ever.