Apparently Santas (and there are hundreds of them, or were) can never take off their boots (must get a bit whiffy in the caravan) -- if they do, they turn into chocolate, but only after a 24-second delay. Why? Who knows? Apparently the Santas travel around in gypsy caravans, not sleighs, which contain complete toy workshops. So what do they need the North Pole for? Elf-made presents are better than those made by companies because ... well, they just are, that's all.

And so on. Bright children will have guessed the whole story by page 37, and the way it unfolds isn't particularly exciting. Funke's name has become a famous brand, and so this book will certainly sell. But it's a disappointment.