Santa’s sleigh is on its way... with lots of books
I must confess to a bit of an addiction to children’s Christmas books. As an elementary school teacher, I rationalized this need a as a means to keep students engaged as the holidays approached. When my own children were young, they both needed several new books from Santa each year.
As they grew too old for picture books, I became a children’s book author so of course I had to study the craft of my fellow writers. Now as a grandmother, yet another reason to find the perfect holiday book has arisen. Christmas book gift recommendations have become an annual tradition for my column.
Topping the list of discoveries for this year is Santa’s Sleigh is on its Way, Llama, Llama Holiday Drama, How to Catch Santa, A Very Fuddles Christmas, Clifford’s Christmas and Olaf’s Night Before Christmas.
Santa’s Sleigh is on Its Way to California is a beautifully illustrated Christmas adventure by Eric James. This author’s rhyming verse keeps you turning the pages. “The Christmas tree twinkles, the eggnog smells sweet, the stockings are out for the gifts not your feet… The garlands and paper-chains hang from the ceiling, giving the whole house a Christmassy feeling.”
Set on Christmas Eve as children around the world wait for Santa’s arrival, James captures the fidgeting of little ones as they resist sleep and wonder why Santa hasn’t arrived at their house yet. So eager to catch a glimpse of his red suit, white beard, and flying sleigh, the little one forgets to set out cookies and milk.
Not knowing that Santa’s sleigh troubles are what delayed his arrival, the child sneaks downstairs… “You enter the kitchen and turn on the light, not spotting the figure who ducks out of sight. You’re still half a sleep so you don’t find it weird that the broom has a hat, a coat and a beard.” This locationbased book has references and artwork specific to California, but 100 different versions are available with images and verses for other places as well.
Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney features more rhyming verse about impatient little ones. “Sparkly candles, Yummy bred. Dress-up clothes in green and red. How long till that special date? Llama Llama has to wait. Fluffy snow and funny elves. Goodies piled high on shelves.”
In her book, When Santa Lost his Ho, Ho, Ho, Laura Rader wrote, “it was so quiet you could hear a snowflake fall.” Mrs. Claus and the elves help Santa return to his merry old self by decorating his workshop with artwork from kid’s letters. Luckily, “the bad day drawing by Holly made Santa jolly.”
Jean Reagan in How to Catch Santa explores kids fascination with catching him. Some have questions for Santa like if kids or elves have ever snuck a ride in his sleigh? Other kids want to tell him that they’re trying to be good and that they really meant to send a thank you note last year.
They even offer to give him a headlamp to see down the chimney and a nose warmer for the cold sleigh ride. As they scheme to set a trap for Santa, they put glitter in the envelope with his note hoping it will spill and leave tracks.
A Very Fuddles Christmas by Frans Vischer stars a pampered cat who gets into trouble for trying to play with the Christmas ornaments and the bows on presents. After trying to eat the gingerbread house, Fuddles is accidentally locked outside in the snow so he finds a unique Santa-style way to get back inside.
No Christmas cat book recommendation is complete without making a dog one too. Clifford the Big Red Dog in all his stuffed animal glory called to me from the inexpensive Kohl’s store display. Stuffed animal gifts can be paired with a book to snuggle while reading. Clifford’s Christmas includes troubles resulting from his bigness and how he saves Santa after he falls into Clifford’s huge stocking.
Another timely classic, T’was the Night before Christmas, has a new version starring Olaf from Disney’s Frozen movie as the narrator. “Anna snored softly while Olaf counted sheep. Elsa was sleeping all snug in her bed while glittering northern lights danced overhead… Then grabbing an icicle what did he spy? Eight little Svens flying high in the sky!”
If you’re in need of a last minute Christmas gift, try one these selections for your kids or grandkids as they wait for Santa’s sleigh because it’s on its way.