Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Elf Who Couldn't Read

Rate this book

Reading is fundamental.


Santa wants Jingles to help read the Christmas list, but Jingles doesn't know how to read yet. Jingles isn’t feeling confident about it and could use your help practicing sounding out the letters and get the Christmas magic flowing through him once more.


This cute children's picture book story will help your child practice, overcome reading fears and discover the magic of reading.


Let’s show children how magical reading is and teach them that every expert was once a beginner, perseverance is the key to success and practice makes perfect.


The Elf Who Couldn't Read sits well on your shelf with Early Reader children books such as Bob Books, Little Readers, I Can Read Books, Sight Words Books For Kindergarten and other guided reading books.


*This sweet easy to read beginner children's picture book is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers,  kindergarteners etc 


Ages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and up.


Get your copy now!


Follow us on Instagram @sonicaellis

25 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2019

33 people are currently reading
40 people want to read

About the author

Sonica Ellis

65 books16 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
111 (60%)
4 stars
38 (20%)
3 stars
21 (11%)
2 stars
7 (3%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Cynthia  Gutzwiller.
1,778 reviews23 followers
November 15, 2019
This is my first Christmas book to review this holiday season. Thank you Sonica Ellis for such a wonderfully sweet story and the illustrations are vibrant and exciting to watch, as this book unfurls its mighty pages.
Santa was feeling tired and asked the littlest elf, Jingles, to read his messages list for him. All elves were looking at him. He couldn't make sense of the words and all his confidence was gone. "I can't read!" Said Jingles and he ran. " " Stop right there, " said Santa. What do you think happened next? Was Santa upset with Jingles? Hey, come on, it's 🎅. Would he be upset with someone's learning? Shout out the answer!! NO!! He would not. So what did 🎅 do? You get to listen/read this superb storybook and find out.
May visions of sugar plums dance in your head. 😉
Profile Image for Briar's Reviews.
2,283 reviews577 followers
July 24, 2020
This book is an adorable little tale about Jingles the elf, a young guy who can't read!

I found this tale to be so wonderfully cute. It emphasized that struggles can be hard, but we can learn to overcome them. Not knowing how to read is tough, but it is a skill the little ones can master! Sounding out the words and taking your time can be a big help when learning how to read. This book brings positivity to this topic, and it was also just so cute and sweet as a Christmas tale. I would highly recommend picking this book up for your little ones.

I absolutely adore the illustrations. They are fun, colourful and totally fit the whimsical nature of this Christmas story.

Four out of five stars!
Profile Image for Theodora .
40 reviews
December 18, 2019
I recommend this book to all parents with kids 6 years and above.

I loved this book, the way the author uses Santa and elfe to sho that it's easy for a child to lose confidence, but it takes a parent to help them gain it back.
I honestly believe that every kid (ages 6 upwards) deserves to read this story.
124 reviews
September 13, 2019
Jingles

This was a good book - the drawings were very colorful. Santa and his elves had very happy expressions except for Jingle when he said he couldn't read. That changed when Santa started to teach him. It was a good book to read anytime, but particularly at Christmas.
Profile Image for Jana Buchmann.
Author 8 books16 followers
November 7, 2019
Sweet Christmas book

This is such a cute book! The story about the little elf is adorable and empowers children to be patient and not to give up. Wonderful Christmas book to read together with your little ones.
Profile Image for D Marie.
650 reviews
December 3, 2019
Cute book

This is a cute book about encouragement. It is a book for early readers and I think they will relate to Jingle as he learns to read. My son really liked this book and he clapped and cheered for Jingle. I would recommend this book.
Profile Image for Melissa Spencer.
Author 25 books7 followers
September 8, 2019
Lovely book

A cheery read aloud story and confidence boost for little ones as they are learning to read, and beautifully illustrated.
Profile Image for Mary Acosta.
6 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2019
Great book

Good book with a great message of encouragement for children struggling to read. Well written, beautifully illustrated. Th is book is easy to read and understand.
Profile Image for Simon Leonard.
510 reviews9 followers
January 17, 2020
Good book

It was. Very good book to show children that if they need help they just have to ask. And to keep trying if something seems too hard to start with
Profile Image for Vicky Weber.
Author 13 books60 followers
January 30, 2020
Perfect for anxious readers

As a teacher, I know many children with the same problem as Jingles. Santa patiently helps him work through his problems and sound out words!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Edwards.
5,546 reviews9 followers
January 30, 2020
those big eyes ...so cute!! what a great read. i am such a fan of Christmas ... well done. great illustrations ... very awesome! please read it ... u will love it.
90 reviews2 followers
May 22, 2020
Good story

We loved seeing the elf learn to read. We loved Santa and Jingles delivering toys. Great for kids - even in summer!
670 reviews
August 21, 2021
The Elf Who Couldn't Read is a lovely story about Jingles the elf who is given the task of reading the list of Father Christmas but he becomes anxious and believes he can't read so Father Christmas gives him some help.

This is a great story that would be perfect for children who are anxious whilst learning to read. The relationship between Jingles and Father Christmas is heartwarming with Father Christmas being so patient, kind and supportive and suggesting Jingles takes his time and sounds words out. I found the names Jingles sounded out an odd choice as I'm not sure they'd sound out that way at all but I can see how it fits into the story.

The illustrations are gorgeous and leave the story with a warm and festive feel. I particularly like how the colours were used when Jingles was feeling anxious and being watched by everyone as this really helped show how Jingles was feeling.

This is a fantastic book that is perfect if you have a child who is anxious about reading. Seeing Jingles story will be sure to reassure them they are not alone and they can succeed.
485 reviews5 followers
March 1, 2023
The Elf Who Couldn't Read is a children's fiction book written by Sonica Ellis and illustrated by Harriet Rodis. In the beginning, we meet Santa and his elves. But Santa has a bit of a problem with his eyesight, so he asks one of his elves, Jingles, to read for him. But Jingles doesn't know how. So Santa helps Jingles to get better at reading, and then they deliver presents together.

It's a good little book and aims to encourage people with difficulty reading. The primary advice it gives is to sound out the letters in the words, if one is having trouble. It's great to see Jingles receiving support from Santa and the other elves. And I think that's another important theme of the book; to ask for help.

I like the illustrations. There are some pretty adorable drawings of characters. There's such bright and happy scenery to look at as well. I love to see the Christmas theme being brought to life so well.

Overall, it's a charming little book. I think it will be inspirational and useful for many readers.
Profile Image for Jessica Adams.
Author 21 books98 followers
January 1, 2021
"The Elf Who Couldn't Read" is a cute story about a little elf, named Jingles, who can't help Santa finish reading the nice list. Jingles tries to read the list, but gives up because he cannot read it. Santa encourages the little elf and helps him sounds the words out so he can learn to read.
Jingles is able to help Santa deliver gifts in the end because he is able to sound the words out. This is a great book to help encourage kids to learn to read and not give up.
I would recommend this book to kids around ages 4-7, especially for kids who are learning how to read. The book itself isn't an early reader book, but it's meant to be read by an adult to help encourage kids to learn to read.
Profile Image for Scott Ravede.
Author 5 books2 followers
November 29, 2021
Jingles, the elf, is in charge of reading Santa’s list of toys on Christmas eve. There is only one problem: Jingles is a poor reader and does not have access to the computer app that reads text. So, he is forced to admit to his dyslexia, at which point Santa comes through to save the day and teaches Jingles how to sound out words. Christmas is saved, and the toys get delivered to the right places (assuming Jingles pronounced the names correctly). There are shades of “The Night Before Christmas” here and a few unnecessary adverbs, but a great motivational story for kids who are struggling to learn their ABCs.
Profile Image for Julie Barrett.
9,153 reviews204 followers
October 19, 2020
The Elf who Couldn't Read by Sonica Ellis
Story starts with North Pole and Santa and his eyes are just tired, he can't read his wish list...
Words for me are tiny, 12 point? and not able to enlarge the letters on the screen.
Jingles starts to help as he knows all his letters but he's not quite sure how to put them all together into words.
When he gives up Santa comes to the rescue...
It will be a nice Christmas for all.
Profile Image for Cris.
2,304 reviews26 followers
July 24, 2020
You can’t count on friends!

I love the concept of this book. Little Jingle is struggling with reading and Santa helps him. Santa’s advice is we can learn anything with help from our friends. What great advice! I liked that Jingle wasn’t content in stopping at the list, he wanted to continue onto books!
Profile Image for Cathy Hodge.
1,595 reviews13 followers
October 20, 2023
This is a sweet holiday story. Santa was getting a bit tired, so he asked the littlest elf to finish reading the children's wish list. When the elf could not read the list, he was frustrated and upset. But Santa and the other elves encouraged him to take as long as he needed to sound out the names. With help and practice, the elf helped Santa deliver all of the toys on Christmas. Enjoy.
1 review
November 2, 2023
Encouragement with learning

This is such an inspirational story, learning not giving up and trying. You can accomplish anything. Practice and practice will help you to become confident as Jingle learned that trying and doing will enable you to succeed.
This is a read that you should definitely add to your stocking stuffer list. A must-read for the kiddos.
329 reviews
August 29, 2024
A good story

I read this to a group of kids who can read, but need help. So, I sat one on my lap like in the story and we read together. Once they saw the Elf was having problems they relaxed as we read. It was a great story letting kids know everyone has to learn to read and we all fumble while learning to read.
Profile Image for Hyacinth.
2,045 reviews16 followers
October 19, 2020
This book is very realistic. When children and/or adults struggle with reading, it causes great anxiety. Santa was a great motivator with Jingles. All children need patience and support. With encouragement and nurturing they can become great readers.
Profile Image for Jane Miller.
446 reviews10 followers
November 30, 2022
Learning to read, patient Santa

A short and reassuring story that says it's ok to not know how to do something. Be willing to accept help and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Practice with help and reading will get easier.
3 reviews
October 12, 2020
Lovely book

My 4 year old son really enjoyed this book. He loved the little elf and the encouragement for learning to read, excellent.
12 reviews
December 20, 2020
Confidence to read

Good book for new readers insecure to try to read. Very cute cartoons. What kid doesn’t want to read about Santa ? ❤️
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
5,977 reviews112 followers
December 11, 2021
The Elf Who Couldn't Read: A Christmas Story About Learning To Read by Sonica Ellis -- This is on kindle unlimited. Very cute and perfect for Christmas! Happy Holiday Reading!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.