"At bedtime, we all read a story together and say good night.
As soon as my sister falls asleep, I tiptoe back downstairs.
All night long, I camp out under the Christmas tree with my camera. I am determined to stay awake and catch the real Santa in action!"
I did not receive this book until it was too late to share it with you last year. So, I thought it best to tell you about it now, in hopes you will have time to check it out for this year's Christmas reading.
The Black child in the book has a great love for Santa; he also has a concern for what the 'real' Santa might look like. The family home is fully decorated with many images of him; he is on the tree, on wrapping paper, and even on the December calendar page. Everywhere the little one looks around his home, he sees more and more Santas. When his grandparents arrive to spend Christmas, they bring a very special gift. It's a Santa holding a list that has the childrens' names on it. How exciting! It is quickly added to the family's collection.
The many Santa decorations look different from each other. Does one of them look like the Santa that will visit in time for Christmas? None of the adults can answer his question. They tell him that no one has seen Santa. Borrowing his mother's camera, he decides he will stay awake to take a picture when Santa arrives. What do you think? Will that happen?
A joyful, magical surprise brings the story to an end.
While taking note of the many wonders of the holiday season made evident in Ms. Barlow's mixed-media artwork, be sure to keep eyes peeled for the surfer Santa who makes a welcome appearance on every spread.
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