Santa's First Christmas

PreS-Gr 3--Barnett's latest story is an early Christmas present to the readers. With guidance from a polar bear, the elves at the North Pole realize that Santa never celebrates Christmas: He spends the holiday giving and then sleeping. The elves, of various skin tones, decide to do something special for Santa, starting with donuts and tree decorating, then moving on to hanging stockings and lights. The celebration culminates when someone with a white beard and red suit comes to the door carrying a sack full of gifts. Santa knows who it is, but he does not tell. Smith's rustic illustrations with deep, warm hues provide the perfect atmosphere for the story. As Santa and the elves are enjoying their holiday feast at the end of their day, readers will feel sated as well. VERDICT A feel-good holiday story that will warm hearts for Christmases to come. Holiday collections will welcome this gift.--Cassie Veselovsky

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

This warmhearted holiday interlude opens as a polar bear passing the North Pole finds that Santa spends Christmas Day just like any other: making toys. (He does sleep "an extra half hour," three elves reveal.) The bear's stern reply--"It's Christmas"--spurs the group to offer Santa a real celebration, one with a tree to decorate, stockings to hang, and presents to unwrap. Luminous gouache and watercolor spreads by Smith add delectable touches: Santa's kindly pink face and bushy white eyebrows in early morning sun; the eager pleasure of the elves taking Santa through the day; bright lights, filled stockings, and a groaning banquet table. Barnett tenderly unfurls the day's events, leaning beat by beat into the meta-possibilities posed by a Christmas created for Santa, as when the elves tell him he can have only one cookie ("We have to save them.... For you know who"). Offering moments of abundance, laughter, and surprise, the creative duo's assembly of classic yuletide elements gives readers a chance to encounter an old holiday anew--freshly through the eyes of its most iconic figure. The elves are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 3-7. (Oct.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Cozier than a roaring fire and sweeter than milk and cookies, this earns its 'Christmas classic' stripes with flying colors.