Santa Knows - Hardcover

Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith live in Austin, Texas.

Steve Björkman lives in Irvine, California.

Kindergarten-Grade 3–After extensive research, Scrooge-like Alfie F. Snorklepuss tries to prove to his sister and the world that There's no such thing as Santa Claus. However, on Christmas Eve, Santa whisks the boy off to his North Pole workshop where all is revealed, and Alfie returns home on Christmas Day a believer as well as a nicer brother. Children will relate to Noelle's feelings when her brother tries to discourage her belief in Santa, and cheer when he is proven wrong. However, Alfie's saying that he will be a nicer big brother at the end of the story seems overstated and a bit preachy, and there are also some confusing moments when scenes are not adequately described. Whimsical and expressive brush-and-ink color cartoon illustrations capture great emotion in the characters' faces and body language. Björkman's inclusion of details such as a laptop computer brings this story into the modern age, yet retains the old-fashioned sentiment. An additional read-aloud for storytime, sharing at bedtime, or independent reading.–Maureen Wade, Los Angeles Public Library
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