I know it’s a little early to review a Christmas book…we haven’t even had Thanksgiving. I’m all for enjoying turkey, but in case you’re going Christmas shopping soon, you may want to add this to your list!
Little Santa
Written and Illustrated by Jon Agee
Dial 2013
Ages 3-5
Themes: Holidays, Family
Synopsis: (from publishers website) Ever wonder what Santa was like as a child? Award-winning author/illustrator Jon Agee brings us the funny, playful answer in this Christmas picture book destined to become a classic.
Little Santa loves the North Pole. The rest of his family? Not so much. So, when they decide to move to Florida, Santa is miserable. Lucky for him, a blizzard foils their plans. The only way out of the house is up the chimney. Up goes Santa, to look for help, and along the way, he meets a reindeer and a large group of elves, who are more than eager to join in the rescue!
With the sly humor of Jon Klassen and the read-aloud pleasure of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, this tale of Santa’s beginnings is perfect for every kid’s holiday library.
Opening: In the North Pole, in a little cabin, lived Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their seven children, Larry, Mary, Willy, Millie, Joey, Zoe, and Santa.
OK, if I haven’t yet convinced you to head to the store this very instant, I know this trailer will have you curious enough about Santa as a boy that you will definitely be buying it for the Christmas season.
Resources:
Here are a few activities I thought would be fun.
Before reading the story, ask children what they think Santa would’ve been like as a kid. Judging from the trailer, that will be a fun discussion.
More Discussion after reading the book. What do you think would’ve been on Santa‘s Christmas list when he was a kid? If you had elves living at your house, what chores would you like for them to help with.
There are a slew of activities for Christmas, but I thought northpole.com was a good one for online fun.
Why I Love This Book: Well, I like a Merry Christmas just as much as the next person, and great Christmas books are a big part of making it merry. I’m already merry just holding this one in my hands. It’s just as clever as can be. I couldn’t wait to turn the next page to see what would happen. And on top of that, “I believe!” Yes, I’ve always believed in Santa and now I totally believe this story of how a boy named Santa became the adult Santa of today! Way to go Jon Agee! I love the way he included details of how Santa operates…the chimney, the reindeer, the elves! It’s all woven in this charming tale and makes perfect sense. You can probably tell from the cover that the illustrations are most delightful! Prepare yourself for a major dose of jolliness as you take it in page by wonderful page! So…Ho! Ho! Ho! and Go! Go! Go! get this book!
To find more perfect picture books, head on over to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and check out all the fantastic selections! Each book is reviewed by a picture book -lovin’ reviewer, AND includes activities to go along with the book. You will find a handy list right HERE.
Penny Parker Klostermann 
This reminds me of the early chapter book Young Santa (I reviewed it my first year of blogging 🙂 )). I would read that ANY time of the year, it was that good! 😀 This book sounds great too! 😀
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Hilarious concept, Penny…why didn’t you or I write this one? 🙂 Thanks for an awesome review and a great resource/activity list…this is the perfect book…I love it!
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Right! Why didn’t we write it! You know that’s kind of how I pick my PPBF books…the ones I wish I would’ve written 🙂
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🙂
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I was wondering how i didn’t know this gem, and I see it is a recent publication.
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Yes! My library had just gotten it in. They send out an email of all new books. I put them on hold. Some of them even say, “in route from vendor”. Do you know how excited that makes me???? LOL!
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Fabulous video. Love this story and have written it down to buy as a gift. I never ever thought about Santa as a little boy. Kids will devour this book! Nice choice.
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Isn’t that trailer the cutest! Yes, kids will love it!
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I just loved the trailer so much, I Had to listen to it twice. Cute book with cute theme. I’ll be out on the look out for this one. 🙂
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Me too, Clar. In fact, I’ve watched it four times! Hope you find it. It’s so cute.
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🙂
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Ha!I also picked this one to review in December! Beat me to it! Love all Agee books!
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Sorry! Maybe your should review it, too! There are several on the list with two reviews. I did kind of jump on it because I was thinking others might be thinking of it and I wanted to be first! I’m very competitive
Santa may not bring me much because I was greedy!
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Haha! You’re right, this one deserves to get into more hands, too. We’ll see!
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The cover of this one makes me want to yell Wheee! I just want to know if kid Santa is Naughty or Nice.
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Isn’t that cover awesome? He is Nice! If you get this, I want to know what Enzo thinks!
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This book has gotten a lot of attention. Now I know why. Thanks for putting us in a shopping mood.
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It deserves the attention in my opinion! So cute.
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This books sounds adorable! Love the trailer.
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Those kids in the trailer are so adorable. Their answers and reactions are so funny! Love the answer about him having a beard!
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Well, your enthusiasm has won me over! HoHoHo!! Santa was a kid?! No way! Like the Mom Person was a kid?! I can believe that one I think. This book looks really cute. I’m trying to picture baby Santa. I’ll have to be checking this one out. Thanks! and A Jolly Thanksgiving and Pre-Christmas to you!
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They don’t show him as a baby…just as a kid! You definitely need to check it out! I think you’ll love it and so will the Mom Person!
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The trailer is darling! It really make me wonder about what Santa was like as a little boy… now I’ll have to get the book to find out! Thanks for sharing this new perspective!
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You’re welcome! It’s funny because lately I’ve read about several new books and I couldn’t wait to get them and then after I read them I was not that excited. When I saw the cover for this one, I was soooo hoping the story would live up to the amazing cover. It did! It’s a huggable book for sure!
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Wow – what a fun trailer! This will drain the Grinchiness from anyone’s heart!
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You’re right, Cathy! What a great way to put it!
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What a cute book, Penny. I even have my thoughts on what Santa would have looked like as a kid…hehe… You are never too late to have a Santa book out. Already at work people are posting Christmas parcels away and I have already done most of my shopping including a couple of Christmas books. This weekend I am posting off to friends overseas. Hope you have a great weekend.
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Wow! You’re on top of things! But having it done early will give you time to read cute Christmas books like this one!
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