SANTA LIKE ME

The magic surrounding Santa Claus comes from children in this debut rhyming picture book from a husband-and-wife team.

Narrator Sam, a Christmas-loving child with brown skin and curly hair, explains one of the truths of the holiday: Santa looks like readers as well as Sam. To help readers understand this, Sam reveals Santa’s origin: a group of diverse kids coming together to use the magic of imagination to bring the jolly figure to life. But though the children agree on the hat, the gift-giving, and the reindeer, they can’t decide on Santa’s appearance. With ideas all over the place, including “Bronto-Santa” in dinosaur form, it seems as if a consensus is impossible—until magic produces a Santa who looks like kids imagine him. They note: “Remember, it’s ourmagic that fills Christmas with cheer.” Sam, whose gender is never specified, is a charming narrator whose easy rhymes feel both natural and mentorlike, a trusted older child delivering wisdom to youngsters. Robinson-Weldon’s rhymes scan smoothly, using mainly familiar vocabulary tied to the holiday for independent readers. Weldon’s colorful cartoon illustrations feature a variety of traditional clothing on the children and an even bigger array of looks and costumes for the Santas the kids imagine. Young readers are sure to giggle at some of the sillier Santas (one has green feet; another rides a unicycle). The message that Santa reflects a child’s own appearance—or imagination—comes through clearly.

A fun Christmas tale that emphasizes the power of the imagination.