When Santa wrote back!

PreS-Gr 1--Many children write to Santa, but they're highly unlikely to receive a genuine reply, let alone establish a correspondence. In this hilarious epistolary story, little Jake's earnest but rapacious letters get jolly old St. Nick's attention. Included in the boy's 10-page list are "a robot for opening gifts at high speed,/ a trumpet, a jetpack, a hot air balloon,/ a dinosaur egg, and a piece of the moon." Santa's increasingly pointed suggestions that the child needs to dial back his requests result in Jake telling him to go on vacation instead. Taking up this advice, Santa leaves the boy as his temporary substitute. Even the burdens of the job (a permanent beard, snow in his bedroom, a barrage of mail) do not teach Jake a lesson. In a sudden and somewhat unexpected reversal, it's his interaction with other children and the discovery of their unselfish wishes that finally make the boy understand the true meaning of gifts. Santa resumes his post and rewards Jake with his most desired gift of all. Pino's brightly colored, cartoonish illustrations augment the story's hilarity with highly expressive, energetic characters and frequent juxtaposition of explosive pictures with the more tongue-in-cheek letter content. A list of helpful tips for writing a letter to Santa is included at the end. VERDICT Though a touch saccharine in its conclusion, a charming and vibrant addition to most holiday collections.--Yelena Voysey

A young boy initiates a lively correspondence with Santa. Back-and-forth letters between Santa and Jake, expressed in bouncy rhymes that scan beautifully, comprise this epistolary story. Accompanying his wish list, Jake's first letter emphasizes his good behavior and his desire for a wealth of gifts ("bring two of each present in case one should break"). Awaiting Santa's reply, Jake sends another missive with a longer list. "'Tis better to give than receive," writes back Santa. The elves will trim the list. Jake's unpersuaded. "Receiving is slightly more fun," he says, sending back a longer list. Impatient "S.C." threatens Jake with coal. Jake doesn't mind and, demonstrating his thoughtfulness, tells Santa to take a vacation. Before heading to the beach, Santa chooses his stand-in--guess who?--and dispatches his red suit, sleigh, and reindeer. Unfortunately, Santa's beard becomes firmly attached to Jake's face, so he wears it to school, where his classmates tell him their Christmas wishes. Finally, Jake understands the meaning of Christmas because their wishes epitomize generosity. Was this Santa's plan? Now Jake knows what he wants: the beard's removal. Receiving the elves' satisfactory report, Santa complies, then gives Jake something special. This delightful holiday story brims with humor, cheer, and warmth--and a fine message. Children will chuckle over the correspondence and the protagonists' camaraderie. The colorful digital illustrations burst with energy. Jake is tan-skinned; background characters are diverse. A very merry Christmas story overflowing with plenty of ho-ho heart. (tips for writing to Santa)(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.