Member Reviews
A tourist advert for the state of Georgia (not the country), where twelve elves go on holiday throughout the state (not the country), seeing what it has to offer, and just about squeezing in a mention of Christmas at the end. It might hit home with some people in the state, who certainly would have a greater chance of recognising the settings than the rest of us, but even then they would have to accept the artwork is not the best, the plot is virtually non-existent, and the whole elves/Christmas thing is a spurious hook for such a thing to hang on. I will always be biased to the country Georgia over the state Georgia, but that doesn't have anything to do with my thinking this was entirely mediocre. Three stars if you're in GA (not the country), two stars elsewhere.
This book tries to work in the Night Before Christmas rhyming pattern. The book does rhyme, but some of them are harsh and it causes cadence loss. This book is it really is just for the people of Georgia. It’s almost like a book for tourism. Come see these places Christmas time or any other. The illustrations were the best part of the book, and it would be interesting to see them do different states.
Growing up in Georgia, 12 Little Elves Visit Georgia brought back such sweet memories of my childhood. The elves visit iconic landmarks like Jekyll Island, the Okefenokee Swamp, and Anna Ruby Falls—places I remember exploring as a kid. I couldn’t help but smile when they stopped at the Coca-Cola museum and floated down the Chattahoochee River, both classic Georgia experiences.
Reading this book with the kids has been such a joy. It gives me the chance to share stories from my own adventures, and they love imagining the elves on their journey through the state. The beautiful illustrations capture the magic of the holiday season, and it’s become a special way to connect them with the Georgia I grew up in.
And of course, when the elves stop at our house, they can’t wait to jump into bed! This book is a perfect holiday tradition for Georgia families or anyone with a soft spot for the Peach State.
‘12 Little Elves Visit Georgia’ by Trish Madson is a charming children's book that follows a group of twelve elves on an adventure through the state of Georgia. The story combines elements of travel, discovery, and festive cheer, making it a delightful read for young children.
Plot: ★★★★☆
The plot is engaging and imaginative, featuring the elves as they explore various landmarks and attractions in Georgia. The journey is filled with interesting stops and fun activities, providing educational content about the state's geography and culture. The storyline is well-paced and maintains the reader's interest throughout the book, making it an enjoyable experience for young readers.
Character: ★★★★☆
The twelve little elves, while charming and consistent throughout the story, do not have distinct individual traits or personalities. Their primary role is to guide readers through Georgia’s landmarks and activities, rather than to develop unique characteristics or personal growth. This uniformity in character can make it harder for readers to connect with or differentiate between the elves, but they still contribute to the overall appeal and educational value of the book.
Illustrations: ★★★★☆
The illustrations are bold and visually appealing, featuring vibrant colours and clear images that are perfect for young children. The artwork effectively complements the story and enhances the overall reading experience. The depictions of the elves and the various Georgian landmarks are engaging and help bring the story to life.
Engagement: ★★★☆☆
The book is moderately engaging, with its colourful illustrations and lively characters. While it captures attention with its festive theme and educational content, some readers might find the pace a bit slow. Incorporating more interactive elements or activities could further increase engagement for young readers.
Readability: ★★★★☆
The readability is suitable for the target age group, with clear and simple language that is easy for young children to understand. The text flows smoothly and is complemented by the illustrations, making it accessible and enjoyable for early readers.
Enjoyment: ★★★☆☆
Overall, ‘12 Little Elves Visit Georgia’ offers a pleasant reading experience with its engaging plot and charming characters. While it is enjoyable and educational, it may not be the most exciting book for all children. The combination of vibrant illustrations and a travel-themed story provides a good balance, but additional interactive elements could enhance the enjoyment factor.
‘12 Little Elves Visit Georgia’ by Trish Madson is a delightful and educational book that introduces young readers to the state of Georgia through the adventures of twelve little elves. The engaging plot, well-developed characters, and bold illustrations make it a suitable choice for young children. Although the engagement level may vary, the book provides a fun and informative reading experience that combines travel exploration with festive cheer.
A cute little Christmas book that takes you on a trip through Georgia. The elves go through Georgia to see who was sleeping. There were Christmas lights shinning. They see Ruby Falls. They see the state bird, brown thrasher. On to Centennial Olympic Park. They make a stop at the botanical gardens. They built sandcastles at Jekyll Island. They saw marine life at the Georgia Aquarium. They even ate some Georgia peaches. And watched out for alligators in the Okefenokee Swamp. They tried many different flavors at the World of Coke. Good Night and Merry Christmas
This is a delightful story about elves embarking on an adventure in the state of Georgia! I truly enjoyed reading it and discovering the various places mentioned—I'm sure children, especially those from Georgia who have visited or live near these locations, will find it just as enjoyable.
A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this charming title!
So cute! I am not from Georgia, but this would be such a fun holiday read for residents of that state! When will er get one for Washington 🤪
12 Little Elves Visit Georgia is a fun holiday read and I enjoyed the illustrations. As someone who has lived in Georgia, I was able to easily recognize and appreciate the landmarks. This is a good book for Georgia natives or anyone wanting to know about iconic locations they can explore in the peach state.
I thought that this was a really fun festive read!
The book was full of lovely illustrations, the layout is nice, bright clear and a lot of fun.
The story was easy to read for my daughter and easy to follow and she had a fair few giggles reading the book too - it is definitely one that we will be reading again towards Christmas and I can see it being a firm favourite too - especially with those children who live in or near Georgia too!
It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended and a fun Christmas read!
A cute, entertaining and whimsical little children's book about elves checking up on sleepy children while visiting the highlights of the state of Georgia. Funny-looking elves that seem very cheeky. It's adorable.
"12 Little Evles Visit Georgia". was a fun read, but I did not love it as much as I had anticipated I would. The illustrations were okay, but felt there was an opportunity there for somethere there to make the story pop more off of the pages. I felt this title was for a very specific audience and did not really branch out to the wider audience.
I'm sure all locals in Georgia will enjoy this! I have never been besides to a Braves game during an overnight layover, but the elves look like they had a good time!
This was a very cute short Christmas picture book taking place in Georgia. As a Georgia native, I found this a fun read that would be great for kids during the Christmas season. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
This is a delightful and engaging read for the holiday season. Readers follow along as cheerful elves visit the beautiful state of Georgia at Christmas time. The elves discover the beaches, peaches and more that this state has to offer. Children who live in Georgia or who have visited there, will enjoy seeing these beloved landmarks through the eyes of the entertaining elves. Vibrant and whimsical illustrations accompany this joyful tale. Highly recommend this fun and festive book!
Simple, cheesy and yet meaningful for its local flavor. I thought some of the rhymes were a bit cheap (river/ever).
My error here - I assumed Georgia would be a character, not a setting. The illustrations are charming and the rhythm of the rhyme makes it an easy book to read with a toddler-age child. However, I think the audience here is a bit niche, since I don’t think it resonates well outside of Georgia (the state).
3 stars
'12 Little Elves Visit Georgia' is so, so lovely. It brings the holidays to Georgia in such a personal way that kids in that state are going to flip over, understandably. The illustrations are bright and gorgeous, soft and reassuring. In all climates and locations, the elves' magic is waiting for the kids to find it and they will devour this story.
Super cute! It was fun to talk to Beckett about all of the places the elves were visiting especially because we have done atleast half of them so he felt like he was part of the fun! Not much “story” but entertaining nonetheless.
I received an electronic ARC from Familius through NetGalley.
Readers will have a lot of fun traveling around Georgia with these elves. They share some of the recognizable locations around the state. The rhythmic text adds to the fun of visiting and learning. I appreciate that the elves each have their own personalities which come through clearly in the illustrations. A fun read for families who lie there or have connections there. This is part of the 12 Little Elves series of adventures in different states.
Such a cute holiday picture book to read to young children!
I really loved that yes this was a holiday story, but it featured so many local attractions from Georgia so you were really learning a lot about the state as well. Would be a perfect book for a child either living in Georgia already, or even maybe moving soon (how fun would that be to hype the kid up about the state 🤗).
The illustrations by Sadie Han were fantastic! I feel like the art style really captures the magical feel of the holiday. Each elf was so unique, and beautifully imagined. I feel like every time I flipped a page I was greeted by something new that my eyes would get snagged on. And I LOVED how the local landmarks of Georgia were brought to life, with these little elves hiding all around the landmarks. It was so interesting to see a contrast of these little elves sitting on the beach, playing in a grove of pink flowers, or even in a swamp with alligators! You always think, "oh Santa is coming with his elves" and picture this pristine snow covered setting, but this is such a unique take. Overall so whimsical and fun!
The perfect cozy holiday/Christmas time read. Perfect to read on Christmas Eve right before the big guy makes a visit down the chimney 😉. Especially with the way it ended turning it back around to the children reading it would be so fun to see the kids reactions on Christmas Eve of "OH their talking to us!" 🥰
Thank you Familius, and Net Galley for the ARC copy of this cute holiday story! ❤️