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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Could there be more to Santa than a red suit, a sleigh, and a bag full of presents? In The Spirit of Santa by Jesse Kuhn, two little girls are snuggled up with their dad on a winter night. One of them asks him something. She wants to know about Santa’s magic. Her father could give her a quick answer, but instead begins to tell the two a story. He starts by describing what the season was like long ago. There was no electricity. The days were short, the nights were dark, and everyone looked forward to when the sun stayed out longer. Of course, when it did, the community grew excited. They celebrated by singing, hugging, and giving gifts. Over the years, stories and traditions changed depending on where people lived. Some talked about magical spirits, and others imagined a traveler who brought hope. After hearing about these holiday customs, one of the girls had something else on her mind. How does Santa bring all those gifts?
The Spirit of Santa by Jesse Kuhn had such a beautiful message. It was about kindness, generosity, and keeping the magic of Christmas alive. The writing is gentle and thoughtful without being difficult for kids to understand. I was touched by the personal story Kuhn included at the end and appreciated the online companion he created for families. I'd love to share this with my young students, but I think older classes would enjoy it, too. We could talk about our family traditions and create paper lanterns showing ways we can brighten someone's day. The illustrations, also by the author, are some of the best I've seen! Every page draws the reader in with all its details. It's hard to choose a favorite, but I liked the one with the glowing houses connected by lights forming a star. Anyone looking for a children's book about Christmas with a bit of a different spin will want to pick this one up.
