Presents through the window A Taro Gomi Christmas book

First published in Japan in 1983, this delightful holiday tale features die-cut windows through which Santa peers into the houses he visits. But Gomi's Santa—who tools around in a helicopter and wears a mustache instead of a beard—isn't paying the closest attention to who lives in each house, and that's the source of this story's substantial charm. "A little kitten must live in this house," Santa proclaims in one scene, but a page turn reveals that the "kitten" is just an image on the nightshirt of a snoozing pig. "A zebra definitely lives here," declares Santa at the next house, dropping off a striped scarf; too bad those "stripes" are actually the long white necks of three swanlike birds, sleeping side by side against a black wall. Luckily, the seemingly mismatched gifts are a hit with everyone. Gomi's vibrant, pared-down artwork and the effervescent fun of Santa's well-intentioned bumbling make for laughs on every page. Ages 3–5. (Sept.) [Page ]. Copyright 2016 PWxyz LLC

PreS-Gr 1—In this picture book, a nontraditional Santa arrives by helicopter on Christmas Eve to deliver presents. After landing, he walks from house to house with his sack, deciding which present to leave by looking at the recipient through the window. However, what he thinks he's seeing isn't quite right. The "little kitten" is actually a pig in a sleeper with a kitten picture on it. The "zebra" is three swans sitting together on the bed with their necks extended. And poor bear! Since all Santa can see is the bear's dark fur through the window, he doesn't think anyone is home and leaves nothing. Santa's wrong assumptions create some humorous gift choices, but all works out in the end. Gomi's signature uncluttered use of color and shape draws the eye to Santa and the windows, with a bit of pattern thrown in to warm up the interiors. VERDICT This combination holiday story and "eye spy" game is perfect for sharing and will bring a smile to young readers as they guess what's really going on through the cutout windows.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library. Copyright 2016 School Library Journal.

When busy Santa selects the presents by peering through the windows of each house and guessing what animal lives there, the results are often unexpected.

When busy Santa selects the presents by peering through the windows of each house and guessing what animal lives there, the results are often unexpected. Features die-cut illustrations.

When busy Santa selects the presents by peering through the windows of each house and guessing what animal lives there, the results are often unexpected. Illustrations feature die cut windows through which rooms can be partially viewed.

Pink suit. Moustache. Helicopter. This may not be your ordinary Santa, but it's still a daunting Christmas Eve challenge! There are so many presents to deliver, and so little time. It's a good thing Santa has a plan. He'll just peek into every window and toss in a gift. Done! The trouble is, Santa is moving much too quickly to see who really lives in each house. With interactive cut-outs throughout, readers will delight in following Santa's lightning-speed Christmas antics as they discover the true (and hilarious) identities of the gifts' recipients! From the beloved and bestselling Taro Gomi, here is Christmas cheer for all!