It’s the low stakes but satisfying tale of how, “in the old days,” Santa made toys up at the North Pole, which he loaded onto his sleigh and delivered to homes all over the world on Christmas Eve. Then he went home and slept, only to wake up on Christmas morning and begin working again.
But when a polar bear wonders why Santa ”doesn’t do anything special” on Christmas, the elves are embarrassed. They start thinking that maybe Santa does need “something special” for Christmas. So they bring him breakfast in bed and wish him Merry Christmas. They help him pick out a (very large) tree, bring it home, and decorate it. There are stockings, and a fire, and Santa thinks it’s fun! Colorful lights, ghost stories and poems, “a sack full of gifts,” and a wonderful meal later, and Santa wants to do it again, every year. It seems they do!
SANTA’S FIRST CHRISTMAS is full of generosity, gently told but with hints of sly humor so it’s not overly sentimental. The art is warm and gentle, too, with rich colors, dynamic patterns, and the minimally rendered faces are full of expression. Cheerful and charming, it’s just the thing for snuggly holiday storytimes.
--Lynn
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