Holiday Picks: Sad Santa

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

By Tad Carpenter.  New York: Sterling Children's Books, 2012.

It's December 26, and Santa has a case of the "ho-ho-hums."  He's sad because Christmas is over, and there are no more toys to make, or presents to wrap.  Everything is less cheery - the candy canes aren't as minty and the decorations aren't as twinkly.  The elves try to cheer up Santa, but nothing works, so they call in the boss - Mrs. Claus.  She decides a vacation is just the cure for the post-Christmas blues, but Santa still can't cheer up, until he receives a letter from a boy requesting things that would make his family happy next Christmas.  He remembers the real meaning of the holiday season is giving and caring, so vows to live each day like it is Christmas.

This is a worthwhile book to share with your children, especially if they are feeling some sadness that the holiday is over.  It's good to reiterate the real meaning of this holiday.  I love the illustrations!  They are done in red, aqua, brown and white, which stand out nicely against the grocery store brown paper that make up the pages.  Do you still celebrate Christmas after the holiday is over with?

Holiday Picks: Santa From Cincinnati

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written by Judi Barrett.  Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.  New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012.

This fun book tells the story of Baby Boy Claus born on December 25 in Cincinnati.  His parents named him Santa.  He was an only child, and grew up loving toys.  His father made all his toys in their basement workshop, and when Santa was older, he helped his father make toys (after his homework was done, of course).  Kids in the neighborhood put in requests for toys, and Santa and his father would make them.  One day, Santa realized he had more toys than he could ever play with, so on Christmas Eve he delivered a toy to each child in Cincinnati.  It was such a success, that when Santa got older, he decided to make it a full-time job.  He got married, found a nice workshop way up North, and hired some helpers to make toys.  Sound familiar?

This inventive tale is a clever take on the story of Santa Claus.  The illustrations have a nostalgic feel to them, full of soft edges.  Kids will love pouring over the details in the pictures.  They will also enjoy hearing the story of the boy who loved toys so much he decided to make a job giving them away to children.  Do you have a favorite Santa story?