Review by Booklist Review
Along with inviting readers to consider some big numbers--How far would Santa have to travel to deliver a billion presents to about 200 million homes? Around 20 million miles!--Hale gives the teeming crew of elves, headed by capable gadgeteer Mrs. Claus, kudos for not only making all those gifts but also making sure that all nine (yes, nine) reindeer have nonskid hooves for all the rooftop landings and that the jolly driver wears proper safety gear. How does he do it in one night? In part, at least, by crossing the International Date Line, which gives him 31 hours of darkness--though how he manages to carry a million-ton payload or down 400 million cookies (and 200 million glasses of milk) is left for him to know. Sharp-eyed viewers will note, in Francis' exuberant cartoon scenes, that Santa's high-tech systems are state of the art, his red pants are fireproof, and those reindeer aren't the sleigh's only power source. A soaring tribute to an annual feat that combines magic, science, and engineering.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The tech-savvy elven team behind the famous red suit explains the mechanics of how Santa delivers presents in one night. From the sheer number of gifts ("They could stretch three times around Earth") and resulting weight ("three Empire State Buildings") to St. Nick's suit (which "needs to handle all the heat and pressure that comes with such high-speed travel"), Hale conveys the science in snappy, easily digestible dialogue. Francis, who "used software to manipulate the composite photographs for this book," depicts various odds and ends needed to pull off the night in art that amplifies the author's jokes: spreads that include elves of various skin tones depict Santa Claw machinery and Super Sled Shox. A rollicking tale that explains how Santa's trip requires "a little science and engineering and a whole lot of Christmas magic." Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--3--Visiting every good girl and boy on Christmas Eve is no easy feat, but with the right team on his side, Santa can achieve great things. Christmas Eve is fast approaching, and Santa's workshop is filled with the sights and sounds of countless elves making final preparations for the big night. From verifying the sturdiness of Santa's suit to adding extra grip to the reindeer's hooves, every element of the journey must be tested to ensure its success. When the conveyor belt jams, and Santa's departure is delayed, he must harness the power of science to make all of his deliveries on time. Anyone who has ever wondered just how Santa gets to every house on Christmas Eve carrying the amount of presents required will find a plethora of scientific explanations in this book. By using recognizable comparisons such as LEGO sets and the distance from the Earth to the moon, readers will easily comprehend the enormous magnitude of this annual feat. Santa is depicted as a chiseled, burly character, his physique able to withstand the G-forces he experiences on his travels. Santa and Mrs. Claus are depicted with light skin and rosy complexions, and they are surrounded by a diverse cast of elves. The computer-rendered images show more of the preparations than the text explains, offering a visually engaging backdrop to the story. VERDICT This STEM-oriented Christmas extravaganza speaks to elementary school-age readers and is a unique and entertaining take on Santa's iconic voyage.--Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver P.L.
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Review by Horn Book Review
This super-entertaining book reveals the science behind Santa's Christmas Eve magic. Holly, part of a team of tech-savvy elves, takes us on a tour of Santa's workshop (which must produce over a billion presents a year); garage (run by Mrs. Claus, where they've built a sled equipped to carry a million tons of toys and stop in the space of a single roof); and loading dock (where Santa dons a special suit designed to handle the g-forces of traveling 730,000 miles per hour). Flying from east to west across the International Date Line, he's able to complete all his deliveries and -- jangling jingle bells! -- make it back to the North Pole to start the process all over again. Double-page spreads full of bustling activity and humorous details add to the appeal. Martha V. Parravano November/December 2021 p.21(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
Scientific and mathematical considerations go into Santa's round-the-world-in-one-night deliveries. How many presents have been made at the workshop? How many miles will the sleigh travel in one night? How heavy are the stacks and stacks of toys? What kind of equipment is needed for all that weight traveling at such a high speed to stop on a roof? And what kind of heat- and pressure-proof suit must Santa wear underneath his red one to withstand the journey? All of this and more has been taken care of. Even when the conveyor belt jams and Santa leaves a half-hour late, he has the smarts to make up for lost time by flying east to west across the international date line. He completes his successful mission, devouring his 400 million cookies along the way. Readers are encouraged to remember the supportive Mrs. Claus and the tech-savvy elves when they're opening their presents. Bright, busy illustrations dash from scene to scene with a frantic energy. A broad-chested White Santa Claus and a cheerful White Mrs. Claus oversee a team of elves with diverse skin tones and hair textures. This book will likely be a hit with precocious youngsters who are already skeptical of the Santa Claus tale. Others may prefer not to let the realities of science question their magic just yet. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A fun thought-provoker for the scientifically inclined. (Picture book. 5-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
