Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Bailey and Godbout give Santa Claus a backstory in this sweetly funny account, warmly illustrated with soft, nostalgic pencil and pastel artwork. As a child, Santa's booming "ho, ho, ho"-as well as his predilections for the color red, giving away his birthday presents, and cool temperatures-set him apart from other kids; his certainty, as someone who knows his own mind, follows him to his calling as an adult. The result is a clever take on the Santa myth that develops him as a character with his own thoughts and motivations (and that would pair nicely with Jon Agee's similarly excellent Little Santa). Godbout's cozy artwork gives the book the feel of a classic, while also offering some cheeky moments-as when a young Santa stands naked in front of an open fridge, trying to cool down. Ages 3-7. Author's agent: Hilary McMahon, Westwood Creative Artists. Illustrator's agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-From the time he was born, Santa is a bit of a special child. From a booming laugh as a baby to a marked preference for red and cold weather as a toddler to the habit of rewrapping and giving away his presents, his ways set him apart from other children. Still, his parents adore him and know that someday he'll become something amazing-maybe a fireman, with all that red? Given his lifestyle choices, his eventual career as Santa Claus is the perfect one, as far as his proud parents are concerned. Santa as a youngster is a strapping, blond, cheerful lad, while his doting parents are plump and smiley-in one scene, his mom wears a cheerful sundress and hat while his dad sports a polo shirt and sandals with white knee socks. VERDICT A fond, reassuring look at the eccentric childhood of a much-beloved holiday figure.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In the tradition of Agees Little Santa (rev. 11/13) and Krenskys How Santa Got His Job, heres another Santa origin story. This child is Santa from the word go, booming HO, HO, HO! in the cradle, delivering presents to other children as a toddler, training hamsters to pull a makeshift miniature sleigh. His proud, adoring parents speculate about his future: his insistence on wearing red might mean hell be a firefighter; his interest in the chimneys soot, a scientist; etc. Young readers, who know better, will enjoy watching Santa grow up to be exactly who he is. Warm, textured pastel and colored-pencil illustrations on generous double-page spreads enrich this gentle, humorous, love-suffused tale. martha v. parravano (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A little boy named Santa grows up with definite tastes of his own in this humorous story about the origins of Santa Claus. Even as a baby, little Santa is developing into his own person. He already has dimples and a cute little nose, "like a cherry." (Bailey effortlessly weaves recognizable snatches of "The Night Before Christmas" into the text throughout the book.) He doesn't coo like other babieshe just starts talking with a bold "HO, HO, HO!" Santa's supportive parents love everything about him, so they let him wear red clothes and allow him to give away his birthday presents to his friends. Little Santa trains a family of hamsters to pull a matchbox sleigh, and he is very interested in the chimney and the ashes in the fireplace. As Santa gets older, he and his much shorter best friend, green-clad Eldred, like to make toys together. The final pages of the understated, witty story show Santa growing into his adult life, fulfilling all his childhood interests and dreams. The last page shows cookies and milk left out for Santa Claus with a note from his still-doting parents. Simple illustrations with white backgrounds use textured surfaces and blurred edges that provide a nostalgic feel of remembered childhood. Young Santa shows characteristics that he will still have as an adult, including his round belly and jocular wave. There have been several recent stories about Santa's origins, but this one is the shortest and simplest, accessible to the youngest of Santa's fans. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
