Santa's First Christmas, written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Sydney Smith. Viking, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Somehow or other, they got the tree in, 
and they trimmed it with tinsel and 
candy canes and glass balls and pigs 
made out of gingerbread. 

"It's beautiful," Santa said."

I am always on the lookout for new books by Mac Barnett. He has a childlike ability to create stories sure to please young readers; they are inventive, engaging, and destined to be classics. In this Santa story, he first describes all that keeps the jolly man busy throughout the year: toys, elves, lists and travel. Have you ever considered what Santa does on Christmas Day? 

It turns out that in 'the old' days', he woke up on Christmas morning and went straight back to work preparing for his next sleigh ride. Poor Santa! A passing polar bear is surprised to hear that he does nothing special. Well, he does sleep in for an extra hour. 

"The bear frowned. 
"Look, I love to sleep. But still. 
It' Christmas."

The elves were embarrassed. 

"We should do something special for Santa,"
they said."

That is exactly what they do. It's breakfast in bed, picking a Christmas tree from the forest and fitting it into the house, trimming that tree, hanging the stockings, and a warm fire. They even string colorful lights outside to brighten the northern landscape. The kitchen elves keep busy with baking delicious sugar cookies. 

Sitting by the fire and listening as several elves tell stories and read poems, Santa takes his turn. As they sit enjoying their time together, the door bursts open and a Santa surrogate makes his way inside. He has gifts to share ... all for Santa. Santa loves every fishing rod he receives, before opening the stockings and making his way to a laden table. What a thoughtful gesture for a man who gives so much all year long to the happiness of the children of the world! 

Will it become a new tradition? Why not? 

Sydney Smith creates light-filled watercolor and gouache artwork that is characteristically stunning.  Just have a close look at that Christmas table! There is a telling warmth in every scene; it makes for a very cozy read on a cold winter's night.