Whether or not your child is already familiar with 'everyone's favorite six year old' Eloise, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had in the animated story of Eloise, Little Miss Christmas. Eloise not only narrates the entire cartoon in her distinctively high-pitched and strong voice - she even sings her own theme song, complete with rhymes; "Moving every minute, and I just won't stop, 'till I'm on the top!" The animation uses contrasts; usually a light background with bold colors in the foreground. The multi-cultural characters are very distinct, each offering something unique to the cartoon. The children living in the Fifth Avenue Plaza with Eloise include Marguerite from El Salvador; Jewish twins Bruce and Bobby; Tyler, who is African American; Yuko, who is Asian; Eloise's Nanny from England; and Eloise's friend Mateo, who is a native to Boston. Child-appropriate humor is found throughout the movie, and the Fifty Ninth Street doorman Charlie may be the best example; whenever there is no one around to let in or out of the door Charlie can be found goofing off, whether it's dancing in the rain, reading a book, or stuffing his face with cookies.
The children's excitement over creating their own holiday show is infectious and sure to get your little one excited as well, no matter what holiday they celebrate. Eloise takes the leadership position and sets the mood by describing their holiday show as, "death-defying deeds of daring doo!" with jugglers, a high-wire act, lion tamers, magicians, sword swallowers, and a final act of...Santa Claus, of course! Eloise's friends teach her that not everyone looks forward to Christmas and Santa, as there are many different cultural ways to celebrate the holiday season. The twins celebrate Chanukah with a menorah and the Festival of Lights; Marguerite's family celebrates with special fireworks, instead of a tree; Tyler's family makes homemade ornaments and lays out cookies, milk, and a gift for Santa; and Yuko says her family recognizes both Santa and the seven spirits who come at the new year and bring good luck, good fortune, and happiness. These references to different cultural celebrations may inspire a great deal of questions from your little one about the different celebrations, or where your own family's traditions come from. The movie's moral is also a wonderful point to emphasize to your little one, when the Santa at the mall whispers to Eloise, "Christmas is what you make it." Eloise is inspired and realizes that Christmas isn't about the big fancy ballroom in the hotel, or lots of presents, it is about being with friends and family and letting them know you care. Eloise shows that she has truly learned this when she narrates at the end, "Christmas takes so long to come, and then it goes away. But if you can, you must, must, must keep its spirit every day."
I watched this video with my four-year-old niece, Emily. This was her first Eloise movie, so she was surprised and could hardly contain herself when she realized Eloise's pigeon was also named Emily. She would light up every time there was a scene with the pigeon in it. Luckily, that wasn't too often, so she was still able to lose herself in the story as well. Emily sang along with all of the carols, including when the hotel staff member, Charlie, played "Jingle Bells" on the grand piano, when Nanny belted out "We Three Kings", and when Eloise and her friends were caroling throughout the hotel. By the time it was Christmas eve in the movie, Emily took a deep breath and said, "Oh Auntie, I just love Christmas! It's...divine!" I don't even know where she learned that word, but it was pretty cute.
--Audra