Mr. Getaway and the Christmas Elves

by Sally Huss

A classroom full of kids is excited that their substitute teacher, Mr. Getaway, is going to take them on a field trip. Mr. Getaway always has the something exciting in mind and this trip is not different – Santa’s workshop!

Elves are everywhere, working happily, and creating mounds of toys. There is not a sad face in all the activity. Not a bit of complaining about the work. What did the kids learn from watching the elves? They learned that work is good! Santa agreed!

All in rhyme, this delightful story is charmingly illustrated with over 40 images.


If you enjoy the books of Dr. Seuss, the Berenstains, Suzy Spafford, Sandra Boynton, and Laura Numeroff, you’ll love MR. GATEAWAY AND THE CHRISTMAS ELVES.

If this sounds like something you would like, scroll up to download your copy.


You might also want to take a peek at THE TREE-WITHIN-THE TREE, another delightful holiday book by Sally Huss.

Genres: Childrens, Christmas, Holiday, Picture Books, Ebooks, Fiction

48 pages, ebook

First published November 19, 2014

About the author

For years I have wanted to do what I am doing now -- writing and illustrating my children's books. Electronic drawing pads and e-books have made it possible for me to create and publish my own books -- and do so in quantity. In the past, Harcourt Brace, Ten Speed Press, Thomas Nelson had only published a few.

The books were always squeezed in between art I needed to do to fill 26 Sally Huss Galleries (my degree was from USC in Fine Art); and licensing demands for clothing, greeting cards (American Greetings), purses, bibs, dinnerware, wallpaper; and the daily King Features Syndicated inspirational panel I do for newspapers called Happy Musings.

Through the years my art and writings have found their way into homes from Hollywood to The White House and perhaps even your house or your mother's.

Along with art, I have had a long history with tennis. In fact I was raised to be a champion (U.S. Junior and Wimbledon Champion, then a semi-finalist in the women's division at Wimbledonin singles and doubles). Later I became one of the top senior players in the country. This experience lead to my writing and illustrating a couple of books on the game -- EIGHT GOLDEN RULES FOR HOW TO PLAY YOUR BEST TENNIS (endorsed by Billie Jean King, Mary Carrillo, Dick Enberg, etc.) and LOVE LADIES LEAGUE TENNIS.

I mostly read the books of the French Philosopher Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov. For me, these present the clearest and most practical explanation of life and man's structure in it that I've come across. These light-filled pages send my heart soaring and give me food for my present work.

Presently I write, illustrate and paint in my Solana Beach, California studio where I live with my husband Marv. I also still play a bit of tennis and walk the beach daily.

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Getaway is substituting for a classroom full of children. He takes them all on a field trip to Santa's workshop. What fun! I really enjoyed this story for its lush illustrations and words children can understand. It totally gets you in the mood for Christmas. Fun for the whole family!

My Rating: 5 stars

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quite cute with a nice message for children (and anyone really), that doing for others makes you happier than anything else in the world.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another sweet rhyming story from Sally Huss. A story with a moral...
"They discovered the secret of happiness,
which I hope you will learn
Which is to give without asking for anything in return."

[Miriam · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book exactly exemplified my problem with current children's literature. The rhymes were lazy, the rhythm practically ignored, and the story was sacrificed in service of both. Mr. Getaway was an ersatz Ms. Frizzle, but perplexingly, he was barely introduced or even addressed. Even the art was poorly drawn and seemed haphazardly thrown together in Photoshop. Skip this one and go for some nice Dr. Seuss.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the ideal book for my 8 yr old grandson and I to read together last night, especially with Xmas fast approaching. An excellent children's book, with colourful illustrations. My grandson's imagination was working overtime after finishing this book! It's the first time that I have read any books by this author and shall be on the lookout for more books by Sally Huss to read with my grandson.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the artwork was colorful, whimsical, and fun, the rhyming was seriously lacking and the message very preachy. The poetry was often off meter and the vocabulary included words that wouldn't have made sense to this age group. The message of the book, emblazoned on a placard in the elves' workshop, is "Work is wise. Work is good. It makes us happy to do more than we should." This sounds like something a harassed teacher or parent would eat up but I don't see kids really being sold. I think kids will really enjoy seeing the pics of the elves hard at work on toys and being so happy, as well as the appearance of Santa, but this is one of those books that I would use with my own narration for a small child. I'm a children's librarian and I can't imagine reading it for storytime at all. I'm puzzled to see the number of great reviews that this got.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this sweet children's book, beautifully illustrated by the author herself, and have read it many times, by myself and with my nieces, who also love it. It's all in rhyme, which is my younger niece's favourite kind of book - as she herself says, "I just love to rhyme, it makes reading such a good time!" - and has a moral to it, that being kind and helping others is good and makes you happy too. You can read it any time of the year too, not just at Christmas! My nieces and I both recommend this book to any children who love Christmas and/or rhyming storybooks, and we hope to read another book by this author in the future.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan of the artwork and I think the whole message of the book was a bit extreme. I understand the intent, but the elves' storyline was ridiculous.

I usually love books that rhyme, but this one felt lazy. Also there wasn't a very consistent rhythm to the story, which made it difficult to read.

I really did not like this book.

[SOMDReigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good message – the value of giving. A fun read. I read this on an eReader. The first time on one that did not have color illustrations. The second time on Kindle Fire which is in color and you really need the color to appreciate the illustrations. I prefer children’s book in print and this was a cute story so I will get the print copy too.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story of children taking a field trip to Santa's factory - they learned all about the elves and their willingness to work hard for others with no thought of reward. The students all learned a lesson, they too can do well in school, learn a lot and not expect to be rewarded for things they do. Cute story for Christmas time.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Youngsters will love this fun book that will take them on an adventure to a special place. The book is great for reading aloud at Christmas time. The author's fun story and cute drawings can also be enjoyed any time of year. Sally Huss knows what kids love and delivers with all her amazing books.
She knows how to do what you love!

[Koreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

All kids will love Mr. Getaway! What a great book! Well written and I like the rhyming. I noticed my grand daughter sleeping with the iPad on this one book. So she is reading it over and over. I ordered the paperback book for her as one of her Christmas gifts. She can't run it out of batteries. hehe

[Lindsay Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little Christmas picture book

My kids all enjoyed reading this cute little story. They especially liked the rhyming, sing-song style of it. The images are quite lively and fun.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great lesson & Christmas message

What a fantastic short story for young children. Gave my girls a fun time to read & they enjoyed the illustrations. The true meaning presented in the story was very special & gave time for us to talk about generosity & charity.

[Mrz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a nice bedtime story.

Great read!!! My kids really enjoyed this bed time story. The illustrations for this book kept them into the story as well. We will purchase more books from this author.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone loves the cute Christmas stories that we all enjoy reading, especially when we get to tell jokes while doing it. Who doesn't love to share wonderful tales with our children? This story is cute and enjoyable.

[Ginger Pollard · Rating 4 out of 5]

grannyandangel

Angel and I (Granny) enjoyed this book. Christmas can be part of life every day! Angel liked the elves and riding in the school bus.
Granny enjoyed the rhyming lines of this book. We both enjoyed Santa.

[Mary Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great lesson to learn

I fell in love with the illustrations as they were simple yet conveyed so much joy and happiness. The story is perfect for Christmas and any time info year. I fully ascribe to give to others with expectations in return, provides true happiness.

[Linda Branich · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute rhyming story about a classroom of students who go on a field trip with their substitute teacher to the North Pole. The kids learn an interesting lesson.

[Joy M. Goffena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not hold the attention of a 4 YO.

[Felisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

Very cute book...not really “Christmasee” but it does teach a lesson...always work doing something you love to do and it’s better to give than to receive.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The trip to Santa's workshop shows how the elves love to work.
Subliminal message:
If you are enjoying your work, you'll do more and be more satisfied with your life.

[Ca2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Ca3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Ca6 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Ca7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Amy the book-bat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. It reminded me a little bit of Magic School Bus.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun and would be good to read to a class. My four year old granddaughter enjoyed it.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just after Thanksgiving the teacher is sick and the substitute shows up and takes the class on a surprise field trip. Mr. Getaway and the Christmas Elves is a cute story about the class going to visit the elves that make toys for Christmas with no expectations of getting anything in return other than the joy of giving. It is a cute book with good illustrations and a great lesson for children during the Christmas season.