In the original poem in which Santa's reindeer were named, "Donner" and "Blitzen" were actually spelled "Dunder" and "Blixem." Today known as "The Night Before Christmas," the poem from 1823 may be the very beginning of children hearing that Santa's sleigh was pulled by reindeer. Full of photographs and historical illustrations of Santa and his reindeer, this volume delights beginning readers eager to find out just how these beasts came to be a symbol of the Christmas season. There's also a special section dedicated to everyone's favorite reindeer, Rudolph.