Guest Post: www.readbrightly.com
Is That You, Santa Claus?
13 Picture Books With Fresh Takes on Saint Nick
by Iva-Marie Palmer
Iva-Marie Palmer lives with her family in a book-laden house just outside Los Angeles. She is the author of two YA novels, The End of the World As We Know It and The Summers. She doesn't need to write a letter of advice to her 9-year-old self because that 9-year-old had already discovered the works of Judy Blume.
Santa Claus: We all know him as a jolly good fellow if there ever was one but, really, any true icon is open to interpretation. In these kids’ books, Old Saint Nick gets some new guises — as a dinosaur, a feline, and even a baby — but the Santa spirit is a constant. These 13 new takes on Santa nail the big guy’s essence, which would put all of the reads on his “nice” list.
by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
A young Black boy wonders if the real Santa looks like the Santa in pictures, commercials, and at the mall, or if Santa may look more like him. Can he stay up late enough to find out? Full of heart and holiday spirit, this cozy story is a joyous celebration of the season, identity, and representation.
by Jan Brett
The animals are excited for the arrival of Santa in this entertaining book by the beloved Jan Brett. As Christmas approaches, the forest creatures speculate on who the animals’ Santa is — could it be a moose, a badger, or a wolf? Little ones will love the big reveal at the end.
The Legend of the Christmas Witch
by Dan Murphy and Aubrey Plaza, illustrated by Julia Iredale
A Christmas story unlike any other, The Legend of the Christmas Witch chronicles the life of Kris Kringle's long-lost twin sister, KristtΕrn. A powerful witch, KristtΕrn's tale will change everything you thought you knew about the holiday.
by Tiffany D. Jackson, illustrated by Reggie Brown
Christmas is only two weeks away, and Deja is starting to get worried. With no chimney in her city apartment, how can Santa possibly find her? And with so many children in the world, will he have time to visit her? Thankfully, Deja’s family helps her to see the magic of Christmas all around her. This book is sure to be a family favorite for years to come.
by Molly Idle
A new entry in the Santa canon, Caldecott winner Idle imagines her popular Rex character (of the picture books Tea Rex and Sea Rex) taking on an even kid-friendlier persona: Santa Claus. Sure to delight dinosaur lovers and holiday can’t-waiters alike, Rex — large stature and all — has a surprisingly delicate touch when it comes to preparing the many trappings of the season, from paper snowflakes to tree decorations.
The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold
by Maureen Fergus, illustrated by Cale Atkinson
The Santa story gets flipped in this beyond-clever read where, instead of the focus being on a kid waiting for Santa’s special visit, it’s on Santa who anticipates hearing from a favorite kid. Santa can’t believe Harold writes him such nice letters, leaves such great cookies — but what if Harold isn’t real? A great picture book for the season, this one especially resonates with kids who are at an age where they start to wonder if Old Saint Nick really exists.
by Jon Agee
Every hero needs an origin story and though there are other several tales of how Santa became Santa, Agee’s version is extra cute. Baby Santa loves the North Pole, but his family doesn’t. When his elders decide to move to sunny Florida, Little Santa is miserable, until a blizzard comes to the rescue. When little Santa goes up the chimney to seek help for his relatives, he meets none other than some reindeer and elves willing to help and … well, it would be a spoiler to go much further.
by David Biedrzycki
In Biedrzycki’s book, he tackles the question of what happens when Santa’s workforce needs a break: The reindeer are out of shape. Leave it to the elves to engineer a jet to get him from place to place. Realistically, Santa should have a few modern amenities up his magical sleeves, but sometimes the old-fashioned way is better.
by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Claudia Rueda
Cats love mischief, so how can one wind up on Santa’s nice list? In this book, Cat takes matters into his own paws and tries to delight kids with his own brand of gift-giving (with mixed results and lots of laughs). Still, Santa isn’t such a stickler on what counts as nice, and Santa Cat might just meet the man himself.
by David Biedrzycki
This one might be a little worrisome at first for Christmas-loving kids … because in Santa Retires, Santa and Mrs. Claus are headed towards the tropics. After years of gift-making and delivering (that one big night takes a lot out of a guy!), Santa needs to call it quits. But, the existential question surfaces: Can Santa be jolly without Christmas?
by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Genevieve Godbout
An adorable Santa origin story that the whole family will love! Even as a tiny tot, Santa did things his own way. He has an affinity for the cold, likes to give away his birthday presents, and has an odd obsession with chimneys. But what makes this book so special is seeing how proud Santa’s parents are of their child and how they love and support him just as he is.
The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear
by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Everyone’s favorite ursine family from childhood has a holiday tale at the ready! Though Santa in this book is bigger and hairier (and bear-ier) than the one kids are used to, leave it to the Berenstain Bears to keep the true message of the holidays — that it’s better to give than to receive — well intact.
by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
- Granted, the focus here isn’t on Santa, but seeing how Santa’s sleigh and reindeer are essential parts of the operation, this one merits a mention. Tiny Reindeer desperately wants to help Santa and the team get ready for Christmas, but he is too small to join. But when a child asks for help, he is the only one that can come to the rescue! This book is an excellent reminder that even the smallest among us can hugely impact the world.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2021.
*Blog Link: www.babybookworms.blogspot.ca
*Email: storywrapsblog@gmail.com
*Facebook: www.facebook.com/Storywraps
*Twitter: Storywraps@Storywraps1
*Pinterest: Storywraps
* Instagram: storywraps
I put hours of work finding the best kid's books to review for you each day. If you enjoy visiting Storywraps and would like to donate something for my time and effort I would greatly appreciate it.
Go to the top of my blog at the right hand corner (below my photo) and please donate what you feel lead to give. The amount you donate and the frequency you donate is totally up to you.
I also have added a new button... http:/ko-fi.com/storywraps Simply buy me a cup of coffee if you would rather. That would be fun. Coffee and blogging go together like two peas in a pod as I'm always brewing up something here on Storywraps.
I thank you in advance for your support. I adore what I do and would appreciate any amount that you may give so that I can make our Storywrap's community more thriving and exciting. Thanks a million! Books bind us together.
Read on...Read Always!
It's a wrap!
πππ
No comments:
Post a Comment