Dasher is a reindeer in a traveling circus with a cruel owner. She dreams of escape, into the cool nights and soft snow that her mother has so often described. When her gate is left open, she leaps at the chance of escape and soon runs into Santa and Silverbell, Santa’s horse, who is tired from pulling the too-heavy sleigh. Dasher offers to help, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Children will like this new take on the story of Santa’s reindeer, but parents might find it shallow. The story is carried by Matt Tavares’ gorgeous artwork. The story itself is on the weak side, barely acknowledging surprising details, like Dasher’s reaction to her first time in flight. That the remaining reindeer in Santa’s entourage are Dasher’s family, saved from circus living, is unimaginative, neat and altogether too expedient.

Dasher is a good addition to a Christmas collection, particularly a collection that may feel tired and in need of new life. Will Dasher go down in history? Not likely.

Reviewed by Kelly Greenlee, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland