Review | Schmuck the Buck: Santa’s Jewish Reindeer by EXO Books

A Fun Frolicking Adult Holiday Picture Book – Schmuck the Buck

Schmuck the Buck, written by EXO Books and illustrated by Karina Shor (both pen names) is a satirical adult holiday story about a Jewish reindeer, Larry, who saves Christmas with his tech-savvy thinking.

At first, as I read through Schmuck, I wondered who would read this and how many times could they be expected to crack its cover? With kid’s books, the re-read value is a gold mine. All kids latch onto a favorite book for a time, forcing parents and caregivers to read them until each page is committed to memory. But the same is not so for adult picture books. Is Schmuck the Buck a book that would get pulled out ever Christmas along with the tree trimming and holiday trappings to sit by the fire and be read either aloud or silently? Well, I’m not sure, but I’d be willing to make it a holiday tradition. It’s funny, poking fun at cliche’s, and the illustrations are expressive and at times, hilarious.

Larry, a nerdy reindeer gets picked on at school. He’s ostracized by the cool reindeer and given the demeaning nickname, Schmuck. Later on, Larry takes a job at Santa’s workshop as an account. When all the toys get delivered without batteries, Larry suggests a mass text to all the parents letting them know of the oversight and where they can purchase the power supplies so Christmas isn’t ruined.

I loved the clever rhyme scheme, and never found it to be trite or expected, but then again, neither is the subject matter. Sort of in the vein of Rudolph the Red-nosed one, Schmuck the Buck has more grownup themes and makes references that kids won’t relate to.

My favorite part of the holiday experiences was when Larry and his family try to Skype with their grand-deer in Boca Raton and she can’t figure out how close to get to the webcam. I laughed out loud. Larry’s Bubby then goes on to call Santa a “chubby gentile.” Which of course Santa is. He’s the most famous and chubby of all the Gentiles. Another laugh out loud moment.

For a book that took me maybe twenty minutes to read, Schmuck the Buck packed full of jokes, some lovely character development, an unexpected story of Santa and his workshop, and a few stereotypes that don’t offend but instead bring a smile. I mean, I’m not even Jewish and I know retired Bubbys living in Boca. Schmuck the Buck makes a fun holiday gift for Jews and gentiles alike. Start a new holiday family tradition and put this cute, illustrated book on your coffee table for folks to read while they wait for the game to end or the carolers to leave.