Review Detail

HIDE-AND-SEEK WITH SANTA CLAUS is a joyful celebration of Christmas excitement. A brother and sister arrive at their grandparents' house and wonder whether Santa has already arrived. Their grandparents invite them to check and see if he is still there hiding, and the siblings begin to race around the house to find him. At the end, they find Santa and celebrate with gifts and cookies.

What I loved: This is a simple book that works well for toddlers and young preschoolers. Each page features colorful holiday-related scenes as the children check all around and outside the house for Santa. The children and other characters in the book are happy throughout, which adds to the joy of the holiday reading. The artwork is accompanied by a short rhyming phrase of where Santa is not, making for a rhythmic and lyrical read that rolls off the tongue. This also makes it pleasing to the ear and perfect for toddlers who love hearing rhyming text.

The brief text makes the pages able to turn quickly, which also works well for children who love to move at their own pace, faster or slower. The font is clear and easy to read throughout, which is great for caregivers who will be reading this aloud. Santa can be seen on some of the pages hiding (just the hat, for instance), which adds to the fun of exploring the book and story.

Final verdict: HIDE-AND-SEEK WITH SANTA CLAUS is a joyful search for Santa with rhyming text and detailed, colorful illustrations that will delight young readers. This is a fantastic pick for bedtime (or any time) around the Christmas holiday.