Little Santa

Starred review from September 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.

Starred review from September 1, 2013
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)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from October 1, 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

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 15, 2013
Preschool-K *Starred Review* Mr. and Mrs. Claus live at the North Pole with their childrenLarry, Mary, Willy, Millie, Joey, Zoe, and Santa. Life's not easy, what with the constant chores. Only little Santa (decked out in a red-hooded onesie) savors both the work and the fun of living in a snowy land. Also, he likes sliding down the sooty chimney. Finally, the Claus family has had enough. They are moving to Floridauntil a blizzard snows them in. It's up to Santa to climb up the chimney and get help, first in the form of a flying reindeer and then from a houseful of elves. The story itself is amusing, albeit a bit thin, but the pictures are flat-out wonderful. A clever oversize design gives the pages importance, and the art has the same scope and vision. Using a mostly snow-white background (natch), Agee sets up his thickly outlined characters to fill the pages. The scope of the artwork allows readers to see all sorts of clever details. In one inventively packed picture of the elves at work, viewers are able to pick out Santa only by his red hood. In fact, most of the funny moments come in the art, as when Santa initially spies the reindeer, and he is buried so deep in the snow that he thinks the animal's horns are a tree branch. Thanks to the short text and big pictures, this will be especially fine for holiday story hours. Make it a tradition!(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)