Kids Say The Darndest Things To Santa Claus

25 Years of Santa Stories Volume 2

Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
140 Pages
Reviewed on 11/23/2020
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Don Kennedy is a resident of Makaha Valley on Oahu, Hawaii. He's a former long time resident of Nevada: Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe. He's a member of the Hawaii Writer's Guild. His first book, with the same title, volume 1, won the Readers' Favorite 2020 International Book Awards Honorable Mention Award in Non Fiction. Kennedy was a long time radio, TV and print journalist. He was a Casino Marketing Executive for 35 years in 7 states. He's a graduate of Concordia College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he studied for the ministry. Don loves lakes and oceans, travel, music, time with family and friends and reading. For 25 years he was a volunteer Santa Claus for charitable and community organizations.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus Volume 2: 25 Years of Santa Stories is a work of non-fiction in the comedy, holiday reading, and true to life sub-genres, and was penned by author Don Kennedy. This is the second book in the series and consists of anecdotes about the author’s experience of volunteering as Santa Claus for over 25 years. The stories within this collection concern children in a wide range of circumstances, and vary from the hilarious to the heartbreaking to the heartwarming. A charming narrative and wonderful insight into what Christmas can mean to children everywhere, both the hope it brings as well as the excitement.

Author Don Kennedy really knows how to deliver a holiday text that will warm even the deepest recesses of the hardest hearts during this Christmas season. I was fascinated to step into a perspective that I’d never really thought about before, and experience a secret world of young children and their fondest wishes, whispered to a figure they trust and believe in. The work is beautifully presented and always easy to pick up for a beautiful, emotional moment, and I also loved the fact that Santa Don didn’t shy away from some of the more pressing issues and harrowing circumstances that some kids go through. This is a work which really illustrates the magic of hope, and how Christmas can be a conduit to hope for a better future. Overall, I would highly recommend Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus Volume 2: 25 Years of Santa Stories for anyone looking for a charming stocking filler this holiday season.

Susan Sewell

Discover the joys and pains of the Season of Miracles in the laugh-out-loud book, Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus (25 Years of Santa Stories, Volume 2) by Don Kennedy. Is there a better way to start celebrating Christmas than to visit Santa Claus? Follow a volunteer Santa as he travels the world (and maybe the heavens) to meet precocious little ones anxious to talk to Santa. This Santa has been everywhere, and just when he thinks he’s heard everything, the next child to sit on his lap delivers another priceless gem. Learn what every soldier needs for success according to a six-year-old, how to deal with unruly siblings, and what Mom’s new diet can mean for poor Santa Claus this Christmas Eve in this enchanting book.

Move over Art Linkletter and make room for Santa Don! But be warned, he’s telling all in the humorous and heartwarming collection of amusing stories in Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus. Get in the holiday spirit with the most disarming and endearing anecdotes from adorable children aged from three to nine. Delightful and disarming, the honesty and guilelessness of the children speaking to Santa were both entertaining and fun to read. I enjoyed this book! It is beautifully balanced between moving and delightful anecdotes; I laughed, I cried, then laughed some more! I enjoyed the sometimes brutal honesty of the children and appreciated Don Kennedy's dedication and foresight to record and share some of his most memorable moments as a volunteer in shelters, hospitals, military bases, churches, etc. The second book in a series of three, this volume will not disappoint!

Gail Kamer

In Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus: 25 Years of Santa Stories, Volume 2, author Don Kennedy shares stories about what kids have told him while making a visit to Santa Claus, AKA Don Kennedy. Don has volunteered as a Santa in a variety of settings and with each one, the experience is unique, fun and often heartrending. Stories about Christmas wishes and family secrets make for a quick and fun read. In addition to the Santa visits, Don provides advice to current or would-be Santas.

I laughed and cried while reading Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus. Don Kennedy’s tricks of the trade as an experienced Santa are invaluable to any Santa and, indeed, to anyone who works with children or adults. His understanding of giving hope without making unrealistic promises provides ideas for anyone in a difficult situation. Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus is an asset I wish I had access to while in this role. In addition to Don’s sage knowledge, I found myself thinking of practical application of his wisdom and his stories. Are you working on a newsletter for your staff for the holidays? Are you preparing a speech for your holiday celebration? You’ll find great tidbits here to add to it. Or do you just need to put a smile on your face and remember what the true meaning of Christmas is? Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus would make a great addition to your library, no matter the purpose.

Kesha Kahale

I’ve enjoyed both books by Santa Don. I was touched by so many of the stories as they are so real and heartwarming. Many are funny and silly but many are very heartfelt too. I liked the chapters separating the stories into locations for his visits as it helps put things into context. I’m glad volume two had so many more stories as book one left me wanting more. Children really do just say so many amazing things and these two books capture that. I’m glad the books were written as I never gave much thought to what Santa sees, hears and experiences. I’ll be looking forward to volume three next Christmas as well.

Dawn Davis

As a former school teacher, I wish I had written down all of the wonderful, fun and silly things my kids said and did over the years. Santa Don, as he refers to himself, did exactly that and it's fortunate for all of his readers. I was glad to see a book 2 as I was ready for more stories when I finished book 1. I have it on the coffee table and friends and family pick it up and have trouble setting it back down again. I recommend this book, both books, to anyone who loves children, their siblings and everyone else in their lives. My goodness, kids do say the most amazing things for sure!