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(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Heather Fox.
Feeling old ("ho ho oww") and lacking holiday spirit four days before Christmas, Santa Claus makes a wish to be young again. He doesn't specify how young, though, and magically reverts to infanthood. Thankfully, Santa Baby rallies the elves to help him save Christmas Eve. He also rediscovers the "wonder of Christmas"--and his former, full-of-life self. Stutzman's lighthearted--and appropriately juvenile--text provides plenty of laughs (when being tested by the elves for Santa's essential skills, Santa Baby "chewed his list. He chewed it twice") and is playfully complemented by Fox's child-friendly illustrations. Dynamic speech balloons and a varied page layout add to the book's cartoon vibe.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2020