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The Christmas Magic
- By Lauren Thompson
- Genre: Holiday
Common Sense Media says
Enchanting, soulful portrait of Santa.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there is nothing to be concerned about in this heartfelt holiday tale. Families feeling burned out by holiday commercialism will find some respite here.
What's the story?
When Santa feels his whiskers tingling, he knows it’s time to get ready. He quietly goes about his preparations for Christmas in his cozy home at the North Pole: polishing his sleigh, oiling his boots, and gathering toys for delivery Christmas Day. And when the stars begin to shine their brightest, the Christmas magic fills the night.
Is it any good?
This is a Christmas lullaby for families to cherish. It’s a warm, calming alternative to gaudy holiday fare. There are no elves, no wish lists, no hearty jolliness. Lauren Thompson’s carefully paced writing is poetic and vivid, pairing beautifully with gorgeous illustrations by Jon J Muth: Kids will feel the reindeer’s shaggy coats, hear the harness bells jingle as Santa polishes them, and feel the warmth of the fire while Santa mends his socks. Here, Santa is a solitary figure, going about his preparations with care and loving attention.
Adults and kids alike will be touched by this meditative picture book. Its quiet beauty invites families to be still, for just a moment, and feel a bit of holiday magic.
Soft watercolor and pastel artwork casts a spell all its own.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Santa’s work. Magic is essential to what he does, but is magic enough on its own? What does Santa need to do to be ready?
Compare this Santa story with other books or movies about him. How is this Santa different? How is he the same? Why does he seem different from one story to the next?
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| Author: | Lauren Thompson |
| Illustrator: | Jon J. Muth |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Holiday |
| Publisher: | Scholastic Press |
| Publication date: | September 1, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 40 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 8 |
| Read aloud: | 4 |
| Read alone: | 6 |
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