Santa’s Lost Sleigh: A Christmas Book about Santa and his Reindeer 

Written by /Rachel Hilz

Illustrated by Ramesh Ram

This book is part of a series of picture books about Santa’s problem, losing things. In Book One, Santa ventures outside to find the parking spot for his sleigh empty.

He enlists the help of his elves and reindeer to search. When he finds the answer, all are astonished to find out the reason. It appears there was no bad intention. The lesson for readers is to ask before you take something, which is certainly important for primary grade children to understand.

This book is written in rhyme and illustrated though some of the pictures are a bit strange. My suggestion would be to enlarge the size of the text as it is difficult for the target audience to read.

This book would be especially enjoyed by children who love humor and nontraditional types of storylines.

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Ham Hands: The Christmas Elf

Written by Whitney Beatty

Illustrated by Becca Kaiser

A funny book that preschoolers and primary grade readers will enjoy.

Ham Hands is an elf on Santa’s staff who has extremely large hands. As a result, he is banned from wrapping presents because he makes a mess of wrapping them. He is relegated to the candy room, bending the candy canes.

One Christmas Eve, Santa leaves a few presents behind. Ham Hands knows a deserving little girl is waiting. What can he do?

The text is a bit choppy in spots and the illustrations stylized, but the message is spot on. We are all unique and special. This book is also a godsend for parents who are all thumbs at wrapping Christmas gifts.

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I enjoyed reading this poem to my children on Christmas Eve so I thought you might like to share this reading with yours.

Click the link below to access the video

I have a link to some fun activities below the video in the notes that you might enjoy with family and friends.

Hoping all your dreams come true this Christmas!

Barbara, aka. Little Miss HISTORY http://www.LittleMissHISTORY.com

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A Gift from Santa: This is based on a true story

Written and Illustrated by Zuzana Svobodová

It is almost Christmas. Jacob excitedly watches the snowflakes swirling outside his window. He is busy writing his Christmas lists. Jacob wonders if Santa receives gifts. He decides that he will return his appreciation by finding the perfect gift for Santa.

Jacob wants to visit the North Pole but his mother reminds him it is too far and there is not enough time. So Jacob goes to the store with his mom. He cannot find that perfect gift. After thinking hard, Jacob decides that he should give something of his own to Santa. Will he be able to make that sacrifice?

The book is based on a true story. It is a lovely way to teach children about the true spirit of Christmas. Appealing illustrations and a beautiful plot combine to make this picture book a winner for children to listen to each year. Recommended especially for readers ages three through eight but a charmer for any age.

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LITTLE OWL’S FIRST CHRISTMAS

Written and illustrated by Hilary Hawkes

Little Owl sits in the tree with his mother. He feels sleepy and complains that other birds get to sleep at night. Why must owls stay awake?

Mother Owl tells him that tonight is a special night. Because owls are awake at night, they were the first to see the Christmas Star. She follows with the birth of Jesus’s Christmas story and a very special traveler on Christmas Eve who brings presents to children.

A cute Christmas story picture book to read for preschoolers or primary grade children.

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Ninja Life Hacks 12 Days of Christmas

Written by Mary Nhin

Illustrated by Jelena Stupar

What a delightful holiday edition to the Ninja series!

In this book, the Ninja’s send their holiday wishes to Santa. Following the format of the Holiday Song, one wish is added for each of the twelve days of Christmas. This children’s wish list includes a vacation to the beach, pet wishes, toy wishes, and favorite foods.

Readers can read or sing along while they interactively count the objects in this picture book to checkup whether the author is correct. A fun book for older and younger siblings to share or for a classroom read aloud to celebrate the upcoming holidays.

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How Santa Changed

Written by Karl Steam

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the title of this book but was immediately drawn in by the nostalgic illustrations. It turns out that the plot of the book revolves around the changes that took place from the time Santa was a young man to the present.

In the beginning, young Santa, a magical elf, made and delivered all the toys himself with the help of one moose. As cities sprang up and the population grew, Santa could not pull his heavier sleigh with one moose. As the story continues, the reader learns how Santa came to rely on a team of reindeer, how he moved farther north, and the need to have additional helpers. Mrs. Claus even learned to bake, and Santa’s slim shape evolved to the fat, jolly character of today. Recommended for children and adults as a read aloud or holiday bedtime story.

The illustrations in the book are beautifully done, even if the rhymes are sometimes a bit off.

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The Christmas Elf: Fun Christmas Stories for Kids

Written by Arnie Lightning

Tinsel is one of the longest-serving elves for Santa at the North Pole. This elf is notable for having the capability of spreading the spirit of Christmas everywhere he goes. For that reason, Santa has appointed him a special helper. Every year Tinsel is assigned to a child who feels despondent at Christmastime.

Readers are taken on a trip around the world to experience Tinsel’s successes.  A boy named Timothy whose father has passed away, a girl named Maria Luisa whose family will be unable to be with her this Christmas, and a boy in Chicago whose family never celebrates Christmas are included among those adventures. Tinsel uses his creativity to lull each of his clients and those around them into the true spirit of the holiday. Children who are experiencing separation, divorce, a new community and fears of alienation will feel a lot better after reading about Tinsel and his charges.

This is a delightful forty page book that will delight elementary school age children and warm the hearts of adults who read it. Good choice for a classroom or family holiday read aloud.

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The Boy Who Became Father Christmas: The Story of Santa Claus

Written by James Wilmot

The Prologue gives a hint as to how the story line will evolve. In this short story, the reader learns that Niklas was born at the foot of a mountain range. He lived in town with the wealthy and prosperous settlers. Once a year the mountain folk came down to trade with them Their meat, cheese, animal skins and wool were exchanged for the coal, wax, grain and oil the mountain people needed to survive.

Shortly after Niklas turned twelve, tragedy struck. Both his parents were killed in a house fire. Niklas discovers a grandfather he never knew existed; now Niklas’ life would be turned upside down. He must leave town and go live up in the mountain with his grandfather. After a rough period of adjustment, Niklas becomes skilled in woodworking and learns the ways of the mountain people. He becomes acquainted with the “wee folk” legends and the animals of the forest. The teen develops a strong friendship with a girl named Rose. Niklas discovers the joys of the Christmas season and ventures forth to embrace it. As the boy grows, he experiences love and loss while meeting the challenges of mountain living and surviving a test with the King of the Mountain.

Wilmot selects many of the Christmas legends and weaves them into a novella featuring characters that embody familiar traditions. A heartwarming and uplifting short story that can be enjoyed by middle grade, young adult and adult readers. Perfect read for sitting in front of the fire for a couple of hours.

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The 3 Monkeys Christmas Treehouse (Monkey Tales Book 5)

Written by Rob “Nanook” Natiuk

This is my first time reading a book in this series. Delightful story about three monkey siblings, Booey, Fooey and Hooey and their Jungle friends. The book is an interactive reading experience with ample opportunities for the reader to pause and allow the listeners to blurt out their responses by repeating, singing, or animating the sounds and actions of the characters in the stories.

In the first tale the three siblings receive a gift from their Grandpa Monk. At first they are puzzled by the red, white and green Christmas balls and stringed lights. Booey, the female, figures out they must be ornaments for a Christmas tree like the one she saw in the town. So they set off to find the perfect Christmas tree. Readers will meet some of their friends like the gorilla, crocodile and turtle. In the end, they find the perfect tree right under their noses. Tale two finds our friends looking over their Christmas list. As they travel to Coconut Town, they sing clever monkey songs adapted to familiar Christmas songs like “Jingle Bells,” and “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” They knock on doors of animal friends seeking to find the true meaning of Christmas. Finally, they discover that, “ A friend in need is a friend indeed.” In tale three, wise old Grandpa Monk tells his grandchildren the story of Santa Paws in the Jungle with his circus wagon pulled by eight zebras. Will the siblings find presents under the tree? The fourth tale speaks of the let down feeling many of us experience in the days after Christmas. Our friends have already tired of their presents; they ponder their New Year’s Resolutions. What do they share with their readers?

This book is perfect for elementary school children. Older siblings can read to younger brothers and sisters or the family can share the reading experience. Young children will love the repetition and songs. I will be reading other books in this series. Very entertaining, clever, and highly recommended.

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