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Clyde the Reindeer Learns to Fly: A Magical Christmas Tale
Join Clyde, a hardworking reindeer, on his journey to fly and lead Santa's sleigh. Discover magic, perseverance, and a fun Q&A with the author.
Welcome back to Kids Ask, Authors Answer, a joyful video series where children’s curiosity meets author creativity! Each episode brings together real kids and children’s book authors for a read-aloud followed by spontaneous, unscripted Q&A sessions.
The twist? The authors never see the questions ahead of time, so every answer is genuine, often funny, and always full of heart.
In this holiday edition, hosts Amy Doslich and Samantha (Sam) Howard-Els celebrate the magic of Christmas with Clyde the Reindeer Learns to Fly. It’s a heartwarming picture book about following your dreams and finding the courage to soar. After the story, kids get to ask the author their most imaginative (and adorable) questions.
Whether your little one loves reindeer, Christmas lights, or magical stories about bravery, this episode is sure to become a holiday favorite.
Amy Doslich is the author and illustrator behind the beloved Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series, a collection inspired by her two daughters. Her stories are known for their warmth, humor, and family-centered adventures.
Samantha Howard-Els brings her own sparkle as the creator of the Mungo series and Tiny Boo, books that mix kindness, curiosity, and Halloween fun.
This time they’re joined by Brandon Detwiler, author of the Amazing Critter Rescue Crew series which includes Clyde the Reindeer Learns to Fly. His stories are full of heart and adventure and show kids that courage, friendship, and a little magic can make anything possible.
The story begins in the quaking aspen forests of northern Arizona, a setting that is both magical and grounded in reality. Here, we meet Clyde, a blue-collar reindeer who works for T.M.'s local logging and forest engineering company. Clyde’s life is comfortable—he has a steady job, a nice house, and good friends. Yet, like many of us, he harbors a dream that seems just out of reach: to lead Santa’s Christmas sled team.
Clyde’s journey takes a turn when he stumbles upon a job posting at Wilbur Squirrel’s News Hut. The ad, written on a scrap of wrapping paper, seeks a “fast and motivated self-starter for leadership position” with the ability to fly and guide Santa’s sleigh. The catch? The candidate must also have a light to guide the way. Clyde, ever resourceful, knows his logging hard hat with its extra-bright halogen bulb will suffice for the lighting requirement. But there’s a problem—Clyde can’t fly.
Determined not to let this obstacle stand in his way, Clyde enlists the help of T.M. Burr, the smartest animal he knows. What follows is a series of inventive, comical, and ultimately unsuccessful attempts to get Clyde airborne:
The Catapult Contraption: Using a giant rubber band stretched between two aspen trees, Clyde is launched skyward, only to end up stuck in a tree.
The Ski Jump: At the local ski lodge, Clyde’s momentum sends him flying—straight into a snowcapped spruce.
The Jetpack: T.M. Burr’s experimental jet-propelled backpack finally gets Clyde soaring, but it runs out of gas, sending him plummeting into a swimming pool.
Clyde’s misadventures lead him to an unexpected meeting with Santa Claus and Pinky the Elf at Santa’s vacation home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Santa reveals the secret to flying: eating a single snowflake from the North Pole. With a little help from Pinky, Clyde tries the magical snowflake and, to his amazement, begins to float and then fly.
With his newfound ability, Clyde is invited to guide Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve, stepping in for Rudolph, who is sidelined with a broken nose from playing reindeer games. Clyde’s perseverance and belief in himself have finally paid off, and he leads the team in the “big show” of Christmas.
Brandon Detwiler, the author, infuses the story with personal touches and hidden “Easter eggs” that add depth and charm:
Bacon References: Inspired by his youngest son’s love of bacon, there are three bacon references hidden throughout the book.
The Pencil: T.M. Burr, the inventive beaver, frequently uses a pencil—a nod to Detwiler’s oldest son, who is passionate about graphic arts.
The Little Mouse: A recurring character, the little mouse appears on almost every page and later becomes Fritz in the "Amazing Critter Rescue Crew" series.
These details not only make the book more engaging for attentive readers but also reflect the author’s family and personal experiences.
When asked about the inspiration behind Clyde, Detwiler shares that the character is, in many ways, autobiographical. Growing up with a blue-collar father, Detwiler wanted to create a story for his children that emphasized perseverance and the importance of believing in oneself. Clyde’s journey mirrors the author’s own dream of writing a book and seeing it come to life.
At its core, "Clyde the Reindeer Learns to Fly" is an underdog story. It’s about facing challenges, seeking help, and never giving up on your dreams. Detwiler’s hope is that children who read the book will internalize this message and carry it with them throughout their lives.
One of the most delightful aspects of the "Kids Ask Authors Answers" show is the opportunity for young readers to ask the author their burning questions. The Q&A session with Brandon Detwiler is a testament to the boundless curiosity and creativity of children.
A seven-year-old reader, Lorna, wonders why the magical snowflake must come from the North Pole and not the South Pole. Detwiler’s whimsical answer: the North Pole is more magical because of Santa and his elves, while the South Pole is home to penguins, who, though lovable, aren’t quite as magical.
Millie, age nine, asks what happened to Rudolph when Clyde took his place. The answer: Rudolph broke his nose playing reindeer games and had to sit out, perhaps reading a book or watching TV with Pinky the Elf.
Mary, age four, asks if Detwiler would like to fly with Santa. He responds enthusiastically, noting that it would be a cool experience—provided he had a warm coat for the chilly ride and a chance to sample the cookies left out for Santa.
Ethan, age nine, inquires about the duration of the snowflake’s magic. Detwiler reveals that the effect is permanent, as long as the recipient uses their gift for good. Each animal’s magical ability is tied to their deepest wish, making the magic both personal and meaningful.
Juliette, age eight, asks if Candy Cane Lane is a real place. Detwiler admits it’s a fictional creation, inspired by his fondness for Arizona’s diverse landscapes and the idea of a magical neighborhood where Santa and other holiday characters might live.
Linden, age seven, poses a quirky question about T.M. Burr’s teeth. Detwiler jokes that T.M. uses Crest White Strips and suggests that chewing on aspen wood, which is lighter in color, might keep his teeth white.
Toby, nearly eight, asks the age-old question: how do reindeer fly without wings? Detwiler explains that in Clyde’s case, it’s the magic snowflake, but North Pole reindeer are special—they run so fast they take off into the air, perhaps aided by magical snowflakes.
Spencer, age four, brings some bathroom humor to the table, asking if reindeer poop while flying. Dewtwiler imagines that they probably don’t, since it’s a magical night and Santa would want to keep things clean.
Grace, age six, wonders if Clyde’s friends, the beavers and squirrels, can fly. Deweiler suggests that while squirrels can glide, T.M. Burr might invent a flying machine, but each animal has their own unique talents and dreams.
Aria, age seven, asks what Clyde’s voice would sound like. Detwiler says it would probably sound like his own, as he’s considered making a Clyde puppet and would naturally use his own voice.
Hannah, age seven, asks why the elf is named Pinky. Detwiler simply thought it was a cool name, fitting for an elf who wears stylish pink outfits.
Lorna, age seven, wants to know the names of the other reindeer. Detwiler lists the classic names—Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, and so on—but jokes that there might be stand-ins like Trevor or Conrad.
Edison, age nine, asks why Detwiler chose to write a Christmas book about reindeer. The author shares that Christmas is his favorite time of year, a season of family, storytelling, and dreams. He wanted to create a story to share with his own children during the holidays.
Clyde’s story is just the beginning. At the end of the book, readers are invited to a scavenger hunt to find other animal characters, each of whom becomes a member of the "Amazing Critter Rescue Crew." Inspired by Detwiler’s own childhood experiences with his brother and cousins, the crew is a team of five animal superheroes who work together to save animals in need and protect the environment.
Detwiler teases future stories, including a new book about Eugene the Gopher, a character who is a bit aloof but is supported by the rescue crew. The upcoming book will even feature a song, adding another layer of fun and engagement for young readers.
The world of Clyde doesn’t end with the story. We also have a wealth of resources for parents and educators, including lesson plans, coloring pages, and activities that complement the book. These resources encourage children to engage more deeply with the story, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Clyde’s journey is a powerful reminder that dreams are worth pursuing, even when the odds seem insurmountable. His determination, willingness to seek help, and refusal to give up are qualities that children (and adults) can aspire to.
Throughout his quest, Clyde relies on the support and ingenuity of his friends. The story highlights the importance of collaboration, kindness, and recognizing the unique strengths of others.
Each character in the story has their own talents and dreams. Whether it’s inventing, flying, or simply being a good friend, the message is clear: everyone has something special to offer.
The story of Clyde the Reindeer is a testament to the enduring power of children’s literature to inspire, entertain, and teach. Through humor and a touch of magic, Brandon Detwiler has crafted a tale that resonates with readers of all ages. As Clyde soars through the night sky, leading Santa’s sleigh, he reminds us all that with a little help, a lot of heart, and an unwavering belief in ourselves, anything is possible.
To watch the full read-aloud and Q&A, check out the episode on YouTube and join the fun and don’t miss your chance to get involved in the next one!
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