Little Santa

by Jon Agee

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780803739062
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	10/17/2013
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.70(w) x 11.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	500L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Jon Agee is the creator of many acclaimed books for children, including the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Terrific, ALA Notable Books Milo's Hat Trick and The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau, and a series of popular wordplay books including the IRA-CBC Children’s Choice book of palindromes, Go Hang a Salami! I'm a Lasagna Hog! Now a full-time author, he lives in San Francisco with his wife, Audrey, and their Havanese puppy, Charlotte.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Praise for Little Santa:

An ALA Notable Book
A Booklist Editors' Choice Book

• "Agee’s lighthearted tone, sly jokes, and signature simple shapes . . . capture a joyful kid sharing his sense of wonder."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

• "Make it a tradition!"—Booklist, starred review

• "His red suit and his smile make little Santa stand out in his glum family, and this amusing story stands out in a similar way as a cheerful, original Christmas tale."—Kirkus, starred review

• "Crisp storytelling, bold lines, and expert page turns make the book ideal for group sharing—and kids will be asking for it all year round."—Horn Book, starred review

• "The matter-of-fact style of the narrative pairs well with Agee’s signature humorous cartoon illustrations. No doubt this amusing explanation of Santa’s humble beginnings will be enthusiastically received at holiday storytimes."—School Library Journal, starred review

Editorial Reviews

Agee draws with the bold black outlines familiar from his cartoons in The New Yorker; though his colors are mostly flat, he manages to convey the heft of heavy snow and hearty eaters…In Little Santa, Agee…has written a back story that gives his readers yet more reason to admire Santa and be glad he's on his way.

The New York Times - Sarah Harrison Smith

★ 09/16/2013
How did Santa become Santa? Agee’s inspired account of the jolly man’s boyhood offers some clues. Though Santa’s miserable parents and six older siblings want to trade their tough North Pole life for the warmth of Florida, young Santa can’t imagine leaving the place he loves. He delights in making snowmen, decorating pine trees, and, yes, sliding down the chimney. When a huge blizzard threatens the Clauses’ relocation plans, Santa, in his snappy hooded red jumpsuit, swings into action, enlisting a few new friends: a high-flying reindeer, and a houseful of hardworking elves. Agee’s lighthearted tone, sly jokes, and signature simple shapes with thick, black outlines capture a joyful kid sharing his sense of wonder. Ages 3–5. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Santa’s origins are explained in [this] quirky exploration of how Santa, the elves and the flying reindeer found their callings . . . A cheerful, original Christmas tale.”—Kirkus (starred review)

Praise for Little Santa:

An ALA Notable Book
A Booklist Editors' Choice Book

* "Agee’s lighthearted tone, sly jokes, and signature simple shapes . . . capture a joyful kid sharing his sense of wonder."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Make it a tradition!"—Booklist, starred review

* "His red suit and his smile make little Santa stand out in his glum family, and this amusing story stands out in a similar way as a cheerful, original Christmas tale."—Kirkus, starred review

* "Crisp storytelling, bold lines, and expert page turns make the book ideal for group sharing—and kids will be asking for it all year round."—Horn Book, starred review

* "The matter-of-fact style of the narrative pairs well with Agee’s signature humorous cartoon illustrations. No doubt this amusing explanation of Santa’s humble beginnings will be enthusiastically received at holiday storytimes."—School Library Journal, starred review

From the Publisher

★ 10/01/2013
K-Gr 2—When the cold, harsh environment of the North Pole becomes too much for the Clauses, they decide to move to Florida, though Little Santa will miss playing in the snow. The move is put on hold, however, when a sudden blizzard renders the family snowbound. Shimmying up the chimney to find help, Little Santa meets a friendly flying reindeer and a house full of elves, who merrily assist in the rescue. Having such handy, cheerful friends makes life a lot easier, but the family still heads for Florida the following winter. Little Santa stays behind and the rest is history. The matter-of-fact style of the narrative pairs well with Agee's signature humorous cartoon illustrations. No doubt this amusing explanation of Santa's humble beginnings will be enthusiastically received at holiday storytimes.—Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library

School Library Journal

★ 2013-09-01
Santa's origins are explained in this novel, quirky exploration of how Santa, the elves and the flying reindeer found their callings. Little Santa is the youngest child of a hardworking family eking out a hardscrabble existence at the North Pole. The whole family, except for Santa, hates their hard life, and they decide they will relocate to Florida. When a major blizzard buries everyone inside, brave Santa takes his snowshoes and a sack of food and goes up the chimney to seek help. With perfectly reasoned logic, the text unfolds like a folk tale, with Santa finding everything he needs, such as a flying reindeer and talented elves who can make shovels and a sleigh. The elves climb aboard the sleigh to fly back to the North Pole with Santa, where they make themselves useful improving the homestead. Santa's family moves to Florida the next winter after all, and "you know the rest of the story." Agee's polished prose has the ring of authenticity, and it's a satisfying story that adults won't mind reading again and again. The minimalist, cartoon-style illustrations use thick outlines and a muted palette except for Santa's adorable, bright-red suit with pointed cap. His red suit and his smile make little Santa stand out in his glum family, and this amusing story stands out in a similar way as a cheerful, original Christmas tale. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews