Review Detail

Mr. Santa

Kids Fiction 46

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.