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.---from the publisher
32 pages 978-1536238839 Ages 3-6
Keywords: Christmas, Santa Claus, fun, humor, questions and answers, 3 year old, 4 year old, 5 year old, 6 year old
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Imagine... it's Christmas Eve and you're tucked up in your bed when something wakes you. It's Santa Claus leaving something special for you. What would you do?
Lie there quietly? Pretend you're still asleep? Or jump up and pepper him with questions like, "Did you read my letter?" "Did you wipe your shoes?" and make him choose between cats and dogs. Would you offer to play your recorder, follow him up the chimney and hitch a ride in his sleigh? Because that's what happens to the little girl in the story - she wakes up and there is Santa, right at the end of her bed!!!
While the text is written entirely in the little girl's incessant and numerous questions - and anyone with experience of a curious child demanding answers now, will hear her - the story is carried in the warm 'fuzzy' illustrations that hover between dream and reality so the reader is transported along on the adventure- because who wouldn't want to be - but left wondering if indeed, it really happened. Santa's expressions are many and one wonders if he is pleased to have company on his trip or if he wishes she had stayed at home - or maybe he is glad that she is such a chatterbox and he doesn't have to answer! .
We know little ones always have lots of questions, and they often from left-field or places that only a child's mind goes, so how much fun would it be to ask them what they would ask Santa if they found themselves in this little girl's situation. And then have them imagine what Santa's answers would be.
Stories like these not only reignite the excitement of Christmas that is building in our little people but also the joy in sharing stories with them as we are drawn into the magic and imagination.
Delightful.
This review can also be found here.
Recommended by: Barbara Braxton, Teacher Librarian, New South Wales AUSTRALIA
See more of her recommendations:
500 Hats http://500hats.edublogs.org/
The Bottom Shelf http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/
