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Reviewed by S. Mathur for Readers' Favorite
Is the school bus driver Secretly Santa? In this quirky picture book by Bethany Hughes, when Sam steps on the school bus on his first day at North Pine Elementary, the driver welcomes him warmly. But what Sam finds most striking is that he looks exactly like Santa Claus, and his name is Mr. Nick! Is Santa hiding his identity by working as a school bus driver? Sam soon convinces Callie, his new friend in second grade, to help him investigate. They systematically draw up a list of facts about Santa and try to match them to Mr. Nick. He checks all the boxes, and there’s even a Mrs. Nick. But after Thanksgiving, when he doesn’t leave for the North Pole, they decide they must be mistaken. On Christmas Day, Sam gets a gift that brings back all the magic of the season.
Kids will love Secretly Santa by Bethany Hughes, and it may well become part of a new family tradition. With just the right blend of questions and clues, the story will inspire budding young minds to try to solve the mystery. The playful investigation will also put their logical skills to use. Parents and grandparents too will enjoy sharing this new take on Santa Claus. The illustrations by Taylor Peek capture the naughty liveliness of the young investigators, helping kids relate to them. I especially liked the pictures of Mr. Nick’s jolly, enigmatic smile as Sam and Callie run around trying to find his true identity. Highly recommended for schools, libraries, and holiday gifting.
