Kid Christmas Of the Claus brothers toy shop

Empathy, kindness, and a good bit of magic spark Litchfield's familial Santa Claus origin story. Born into the Claus Brothers clan of talented toymakers, pale-skinned young Nicky Claus is poised to go into the family business, and soon starts working the counter. As Nicky handles the shop's customers, mustachioed uncles Hanz, Louis, and Levi keep busy in a mysterious workshop behind an off-limits door. Nicky's Christmas Eve encounter with a group of unhoused children, portrayed with various skin tones and living in a firefly-lit tunnel, results in a vow to give every child in the city a present "so they could feel happy, even if it was for just one day." And with assists from his uncles--who happen to have recently built a reindeer-propelled flying sleigh--and from one of the children, a chimney sweep, toy delivery via chimney is born. Though the book's ending raises unanswered questions around the immediate fate of the children and the book's connections to traditional lore, digital art suggesting a Dickensian era glows with festive light emitted from the old-timey shop window and jarred-firefly lamps as snowflakes fall. Ages 4--7. (Oct.)

A holiday origin story that explores how Nicky (of the Claus family) began sharing presents with the world. Nicky's three uncles own the Claus Brothers Toy Store. They make the toys, check the toys, and add one more special ingredient…"Ah, yes. Magic." Every child wants one. But alas, not everyone is able to purchase a toy. Nicky notices some children looking longingly into the toy store's windows. On Christmas Eve, he follows them and finds many kids living on the street. He rushes back to the store, brimming with inspiration: He wishes to deliver a toy to every child in the city. His uncles unveil the Yule 3000: a sleigh modeled after an elf shoe that will help Nicky on his quest. Unfortunately, the adventure does not go as planned, and Nicky finds himself on a rooftop, in the dark, cold city, dejected. But suddenly, a small swirl of light brings a glimmer of hope. Relying on a combination of panels and full-page spreads, Litchfield spins a warm yarn filled with generosity. Tinged with nostalgia and glowing with candlelit fireflies, the saturated art appears to be illuminated from within. Nicky, his uncles, and most characters are light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A cozy tale to counteract the Christmas gift-giving frenzy. (Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.