Guess Who's Coming to Santa's for Dinner?

by Tomie dePaola, Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

Overview

With its brightly colored illustrations, playful narration, and seasonal cheer, this rambunctious picture book from Tomie dePaola is sure to be a holiday favorite for the whole family.

This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus are having their entire family over for Christmas dinner. There’s Uncle Alfred the inventor from Bermuda; Sister Olga the opera singer; eight young children, including Baby Willie; even a polar bear named Oscar. With a family like this, mayhem is bound to follow, and from a snowball fight to the Christmas pageant, it’s a wild affair. But in the spirit of the season, everyone has a wonderful time—even the frazzled hosts!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534466500
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	09/14/2021
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	10.30(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Tomie dePaola (1934–2020) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of more than 270 books for young readers, including the children’s classic Strega Nona. He was the recipient of the Newbery Honor, Caldecott Honor, and the 2011 Children’s Literature Legacy Award for “significant and lasting contribution to children’s literature.” A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and spent much of his life in New London, New Hampshire. Visit his work online at Tomie.com.

Tomie dePaola (1934–2020) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of more than 270 books for young readers, including the children’s classic Strega Nona. He was the recipient of the Newbery Honor, Caldecott Honor, and the 2011 Children’s Literature Legacy Award for “significant and lasting contribution to children’s literature.” A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and spent much of his life in New London, New Hampshire. Visit his work online at Tomie.com.

Hometown:

Connecticut and New Hampshire

Date of Birth:

September 15, 1935

Place of Birth:

Meriden, CT

Website:

http://www.tomie.com/main.html

Editorial Reviews

The table's set for family fun with all the fixings-and fussing-that come with holiday gatherings when Santa decides to invite all his relatives to Christmas dinner. A surprised but supportive Mrs. C. gets things in order while "Nick" delivers toys. Soon the house guests include a few whiny nieces and nephews, a diva sister and a kleptomaniac Cousin Ulla. Everyone's offers of "help," and an unexpected polar bear guest keep the raucous repast rolling. DePaola's (Strega Nona) successful recipe of humor, family wamth and universal situations works to delicious effect. Comical talk balloons and Cousin Ulla's swiping of Claus goods on each spread add a dash of holiday hilarity. Ages 4-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

K-Gr 3-When Santa invites his family and his friend Lars for Christmas dinner, things get a little raucous. Children will find funny details to appreciate in dePaola's signature drawings-executed here in a red and green palette-and lively narrative, with dialogue-balloon asides. The result is a fun celebration complete with Lars's pet polar bear and a flaming plum pudding.-V. W. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Santa Claus invites his entire extended family to Christmas dinner in this longer story, told partially through text and partially through speech balloons in the illustration panels. The large cast of characters, introduced through family photo album pages, includes Santa's aunt, cousins, and his brother and two sisters and their families, and an old friend. All the problems of a big family get-together arrive in sequence: cranky kids, a bossy cook, an unexpected guest, and a definitely uninvited pet: a polar bear. The actual dinner is an admitted mess, with the polar bear crashing onto the table and stealing the turkey. While some of the family troubles are laughable, others aren't very funny, and some problems will be amusing only to adults who understand the particular issue or cooking problem. DePaola's characters are as roly-poly and humorous as always, however, and his legions of fans will love Santa's big family, warts and all. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews