Hurry, Santa!

This board book from the late Caldecott Honor and Newbery Honor author-illustrator features Santa as he prepares for the big night. DePaola emphasizes the urgency of Santa's situation from the opening lines, "Hurry, Santa!" repeated throughout. Standing at the mirror in his Christmas-themed bathroom, Santa pulls on his outfit: over red long underwear go green-striped suspenders, red pants, and socks with a heart on them, then his classic outer garments. Just as Santa finishes suiting up and heads out the door, however, he realizes an urgency of a different kind ("Oh no! He's got to GO!"), resulting in a comedic shedding of bag, hat, coat, and mittens as he dashes back toward the bathroom. Characteristically warm drawings portray Santa and his animals--a cat, a dog, reindeer--with dot eyes and soft curves in gentle washes. A simple, resonant tale, assuring the littlest readers that even Santa must participate in everyday routines. Ages 1--5. (Sept.)

In the briefest of board books (originally published as a board book in 1996 as Get Dressed, Santa!), Santa gets all suited up for his big Christmas Eve trip, only to discover he forgot to do something first. "Oh no! He's got to GO!" So, off comes the raiment for a trip back to the bathroom. Phew. That's the whole story, but I'm guessing toilet trainees will find it hilarious every time. DePaola was the holiday's biggest fan, and his festive Christmas colors and bouncy rounded shapes are just right. Roger Sutton November/December 2020 p.35(c) Copyright 2020. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.