Review by Booklist Review
This Christmas will be an especially happy holiday for children who have been waiting for representation in a picture book about Santa. The story opens with a festive double-page spread that shows a Black family preparing for Christmas by wrapping presents, doing holiday crafts, and making a gingerbread house. As the oldest child narrates, he describes his love for Santa and an intense curiosity about what the man in red looks like. He investigates all the different Santa figurines and pictures (happily, all have brown skin) in his home and asks the members of his family for their opinions, to no avail. Then, he comes up with the brilliant idea of hiding with a camera to record Santa bringing gifts. Unsurprisingly, sleep finds the boy first, but when Santa finally arrives, the bleary-eyed boy catches a glimpse and realizes, "He looks just like me!" Not only does this welcome book show a Black Santa, it lovingly depicts the family engaging in holiday traditions and routines like braiding hair before bed. A warm tale for Kringle-curious kids.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Christmas preparations are underway for a Black child and their family, with a variety of Black Santas at the center, his visage "sitting on our Christmas tree, smiling on our gift wrap, and stitched on to my sweater"; a collection of brown-skinned Santa figurines also graces the fireplace mantle. As the pajama-clad family readies for Christmas Eve and reads together--canny readers will recognize the cover of the author's previous work--the excited protagonist grows increasingly curious about Santa's appearance. Determined to catch a glimpse, the child sneaks back downstairs, but falls asleep under the tree, only to be carried to bed by a Santa who "looks just like I hoped he would--// Santa looks just like me." Redd's representation of a Black family during the holidays radiates pride in self-identity, while Barlow's cozy mixed-media illustrations conjure the wonder of the season in this welcome, resonant tale. Ages 4--8. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--A Black child wonders what the real Santa will look like. He's seen Black Santas featured all over his family's home, and even on Grandma's car, but he is determined to stay up and meet Santa for himself on Christmas. When he asks other family members if they've ever met the real Santa, Grandpa replies, "Your mama wanted to take his picture once, when she was your age, but she couldn't stay awake." When mama surprises the little boy with a brand new camera as an early Christmas present, the little boy is now more determined than ever to get Santa's photo. After being tucked in on Christmas Eve, the young boy tiptoes downstairs to try and stay awake for Santa's arrival. Only after he drifts off to sleep does Santa arrive and carry the boy back to bed. Barely awake, the boy dreamily sees that Santa does indeed look just like him. Illustrations are done in the traditional red and green Christmas colors that portray a happy family celebrating the joys of the holiday season. VERDICT A satisfying Christmas tale that is overdue, and wonderful addition to the shelves.--Tracy Cronce, Stevens Point P.S.D., WI
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Review by Horn Book Review
As his loving extended family begins their traditional Christmas Eve celebrations, a young Black boy tells us how much he loves Santa. He is curious to know, however, of all the different representations of Santa that adorn his house ("sitting on our Christmas tree, smiling on our gift wrap, and stitched on to my sweater"), which one the real Santa looks like. "Does he wear a red or golden hat? Is his beard gray or black?" The child stays up all night in order to find out. The answer, when he finds it, is satisfying: "Santa looks just like me." Cozy, detailed art in Christmassy colors supports a joyous story of self-worth and inclusivity. Martha V. Parravano November/December 2021 p.25(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Black child loves Santa but wonders what the "real Santa" looks like. Santa's brown face is all over this family's home, on tree ornaments, gift wrap, and sweaters. When Grandma and Grandpa arrive to spend the night on Christmas Eve, Black Santa waves from their car window. A collection of Santa figurines adorns the mantel. The joyful protagonist adores all his Santas, but his parents and grandparents can't help him figure out which one is the real Santa or what the real Santa looks like. The family prepares for Santa's visit, reads a story together, and says goodnight. But the child creeps back downstairs and spends the night under the tree, trying to stay awake to see the real Santa. Of course, he falls asleep before Santa arrives, but there's a lovely surprise when he is carried off to bed. This heartwarming depiction of a loving Black family experiencing a beloved holiday is a delight to behold and is just what many have been waiting for. In one spread, every member of the family wears matching red pajamas and green socks. The boy's question about Santa's appearance steers readers through the pages with a feeling of curiosity and suspense that is fully rewarded at the end: There's no suspension of disbelief required and just a touch of magic. (This book was reviewed digitally.) This book should round out every holiday collection. (Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
