Rudolph Shines Again

by Robert L. May

The original follow-up to the classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer —written in verse by his creator, Robert L. May—now with charming new illustrations!

Every year at Christmastime, everyone—young and old alike—has one catchy, joy-inspiring song stuck in their “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!” Now fans of the most famous reindeer of all can travel to the North Pole again in this enchanting and uplifting holiday story, written by Robert L. May in 1939.

It’s another dark, snowy Christmas Eve and Santa needs Rudolph to guide his sleigh. But Rudolph’s nose has lost its bright red glow! Certain there’s no way he’ll be of any use to Santa this Christmas, Rudolph runs away. But on his journey, something magical happens—by helping strangers in need, Rudolph rediscovers his inner light and becomes a hero once more!

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Robert Lewis May (1905–1976) was an American advertising copywriter who created Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer while working for Montgomery Ward in 1939, drawing on his own shy childhood and writing the story amid his first wife’s terminal illness; the poem became a massive commercial and cultural success, spawning millions of copies, song and film adaptations, sequels, merchandise, and an enduring Christmas legend. Educated at Dartmouth and influenced by Alfred Adler’s ideas on inferiority and self-assertion, May worked for several major department stores before and after the Depression, later regaining the copyright to Rudolph and briefly leaving—then returning to—Montgomery Ward as Rudolph’s popularity fluctuated. He wrote additional children’s books, oversaw a wide range of Rudolph-related enterprises, and remained active in civic organizations; after the death of his second wife, he converted to Catholicism, remarried, and died in Evanston, Illinois, in 1976.

Reviews

[Elevetha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story, apparently the actual sequel to the original Rudolph poem, is decent enough for a children's book, the verses are occasionally a little stilted in their rhyming, but the illustrations are very nice.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

A modern retelling of an older book by the same name.

The more well-known charming illustrations have been replaced so the main characters are cartoonist while everything else seems realistic.

[Faye · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this one very much. It felt like it was saying, oh, you're depressed because you are being bullied? Well get over yourself cuz you have a job to do. Also, the writing was still clunky.

[Joel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Being the father of a toddler who brings home 40-50+ books a week from the library, I’ve come to see myself as a bit of a connoisseur of children’s lit (never mind taking an English Lit minor that encompassed three courses on children’s lit).

But all that blustering aside, this is easily the worst children’s book we’ve read all year. My little guy may disagree as he’s asked me to read it three times (hey, he’s always been a big Rudolph fan, so it ain’t because of this book), but the truth of the matter is that the writing is so poor. The rhyming is among the most stilted yet forced I’ve ever encountered in children’s lit. It’s often difficult to follow any sense of rhythm in the flow. If the precursor was apparently a smash hit, I don’t know if I’ve seen a writer mail it in so badly on the follow-up. This was not a book that anyone needed. Rudolph is a whiner and from the sounds of it he deserves all the disrespect his peers gave him from the beginning. There may be a moral to this story, but it isn’t worth slaving through it to arrive on a heavy-handed and dull sermon essentially telling children that someone always has it worse than you and that whatever trauma you’re going through, it could be worse and doesn’t compare to others’ trauma.

Not really the Christmas message I want to instill in my little guy.

[Gerald Borland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the writing style as much as the story because it moved along smoothly and quickly. Children who already know about Rudolph will beg you to read the story over and over again...and you won't be bored doing so.
The colorful, detailed artistry will mesmerized very young listeners. It's an oversize picture book with double spreads throughout and delightful woodland animals, painted large, small, and with individual personalities.
What's more, there's a neat little message that comes through to the listeners.
Hope Irvin Marston, author of THE WALLS HAVE EARS: A BLACK SPY IN THE CONFEDERATE WHITE
HOUSE.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved the move Rudolph. So, (was it only last year?) when I found the original poem that inspired the movie and the song, I was excited and it was a fantastic story even though drastically different from the film. It only stands that when I saw the sequel to Rudolph's story, which I didn't know exist, I had to pick it up. And it was beautiful as Rudolph learns to care about others over his own problems and that thinking of only himself and his troubles can cause changes in him! I look forward to having his on my shelf and sharing it over the years.

[Brittany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would have given this one a ZERO if I had the option.
This is a boring and slightly depressing reindeer story. Rudolph is way too irritating with all of his whining! Not to mention the glaring grammatical error.

"For the next year your job in the shop is dandy!
Next year, you job will be tasting the candy!"

See the problem? That is just frustrating. It earned a long and disapproving look from me.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this sequel to "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Rudolph feels bad when the other reindeer treat him badly due to the attention he gets for his status as leader of Santa's sleigh. His red nose stops shining and he decides to run away. However, his nose starts shining again after gaining confidence again when he helps a family of rabbits. While not as good as the original, still a nice story of self-esteem. This edition has beautiful illustrations by Antonio Javier Caparo.

[Jude · Rating 3 out of 5]

I brought this up with my son's kindergarten teacher, who seemed unamused:

If Rudolph's bright nose diminishes when he feels sorry for himself or is being whiny, then why does it not fade when all of the other reindeer laugh and call him names in the first book?

***
I choked back tears when Rudolph braved the dark, cold forest to find the lost baby bunnies.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations and a revisit to a classic favorite. It's not the greatest story, but it's not bad either, and still has a Rudolph-esque message about empathy and relating to others. It's not the classic the original story is, but it's still not a bad read during the holiday season. Plus, like I said, I love the illustrations.

[Theresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

The messaging in this book is terrible. Rudolph is bullied and then the book goes on to shame him for crying and being sad in response to that treatment. At one point the book literally calls him “stupid”. It’s basically teaching children that it’s unacceptable to be sad or distressed and Rudolph should STFU…

[Britt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poor excuse of a sequel to Rudolph. More depressing than the first one and just a weird path to take Rudolph on. Yea, I know there are still some good messages in it, but you could have done it with a better story. The writing was not great and sometimes I had to re-read sentences.

[Jennifer Brinkmeyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool art, but yet another tale of unchecked bullying in Santa's workshop.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about how to focus on the needs of others and not yourself. Loved it.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations!

[Marcia Van Camp]

We read the 2015 edition and it was pretty but a strange story, not a fan

[Carrie Stader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas story that teaches a lesson for all ages.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The extended forecast calls for snow on Christmas eve, so once again, Santa will need Rudolph to lead his team. In the meantime, however, Rudolph is expected to help make toys. (Where are the elves, for crying out loud? How much toy-making can you ask for from a creature with no opposable thumbs?) The other nasty and jealous reindeer have been picking on Rudolph so mercilessly that his nose has lost its glow. So, off Rudolph goes into the deep, dark forest where he finds himself learns that helping others is a great way to forget your own problems.

This was okay, and certainly worth a read, but doesn't have the charm or staying power of May's first classic.

Maybe if someone wrote a song about it . . .

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated story told in rhyme, follows Rudolph as his popularity with Santa creates a rift between him and the other reindeer. When Rudolph doubts himself he looses his glow and flees the toyshop. In the darkness he stumbles upon some rabbits that need help finding their missing children. After rescuing them he realizes there is more to him than just a shining nose. Young readers ages four to six will discover their inner light in this uplifting Christmas classic. It is a gorgeous book inside and out.

[Kyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, the artwork is amazing! Love the bunnies! It's why the book gets 3 stars.

The story, is well, meh. Rudolph is whiny because he's been put to work in the workshop and the other reindeer are picking on him. He's so sad, his nose goes out, and so he decides to run away.

After he performs a selfless act, his nose shines again, Santa is thrilled to see him, and the other reindeer say "sorry".

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book appears to be a newly illustrated edition of an older story. This tells the story of what happened to Rudolph after the song (or the Christmas special). The story is cute and good for kids who already love Rudolph. There are some continuity errors though, like how come Rudolph's nose didn't go out the first time he was teased.

[Jesse Freedom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the message that you can still do grand things without being special. I was a little confused by the fact that he never lost the light in his nose in the first one, but maybe it was because he was looking forward to Christmas, and had wanted that to happen then.

[Ellie Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Cassidy's first grade class thinks this book is awesome!! We loved reading about how helpful Rudolph was and we loved the happy ending. We think you should definitely read this book!