Mr. Santa

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4.3

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Author(s)

Jarvis

Publisher

Candlewick

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

October 01, 2024

ISBN

978-1536238839

Buy This Book

With wit and affection, the inimitable Jarvis imagines the giddy wonder of a child who finds she has Santa all to herself—with free rein to ask all the questions that spring to mind.

Mr. Santa? Is it really you?
Did you read my letter?
And have you wiped your shoes?

When a little girl comes face-to-face with Santa in her own house, she can hardly believe it! After inviting him into her world (Do you want to meet my fishes? Do you want to hear me play?) comes that universal wish (Can I ride your sleigh?). With the two of them aloft, questions continue to fly: Can Santa eat clouds? Does he stop at traffic lights? Is his belly button innie or outie? Does he take a teddy to bed? With signature warmth and a gentle visual humor, Jarvis channels the excitement of every child who has dreamed of meeting the jolly, generous old soul who personifies the most magical night of the year.

Editor review

1 review

If we could only ask Santa these questions...

November 11, 2024

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

A little girl catches Santa putting a candy cane on a table in her room, and has a LOT of questions for him. Has he read her letter? Has he wiped his shoes? Can she ride in his sleigh? Since Santa is magically understanding and doesn't have to worry about time, the two have an adventure flying around, which of course leads to even more questions! Coming back from the North Pole, the little girl becomes very sleepy, and her question when she wakes up is "Was it real?"

Good Points

Young readers are constantly interested in all the whys and wherefores of the Santa mythos; I may have constructed trifold brochures for my children answering questions, and may have created two very mischievous elves named Jeek and Glendle who added to the merriment! Meeting Santa and flying in his sleigh is an appealing idea, and being able to ask Santa questions directly (even if we don't always get answers) is a fun ruse.

Jarvis' illustrations are very distinctive, and he does a very attractive Santa, with the traditional trappings of beard, red suit, glasses, and sleigh. The snowy backgrounds, heavy on a lovely aqua, really make this book sparkle. I would have liked this a tiny bit better if the little girl had been wearing slippers and a robe (BRRR!), but young readers won't notice!

If you are looking for a Santa themed book with a more modern feel, add this to other alternative looks at Santa lore like Fergus' The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Himself, Sharff's When Santa Came to Stay, and Barnett and Smith's Santa's First Christmas.