 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Santa, Are You for Real?
- By Harold Myra
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Common Sense Media says
For those ready to learn the truth about Santa.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this story explains that the Santa Claus myth is just that, and goes on to discuss holiday traditions.
What's the story?
Does Santa exist? And, if he doesn't, can Todd ever again have faith in the adults who told him the Santa story? The answer is a resounding yes, when those grown-ups teach Todd the true story of Saint Nicholas and about the spirit of giving.
Is it any good?
It's a rite of passage in every child's life: Is Santa Claus real? This book is directed at those who are ready to learn the truth (and is definitely not for those who are hanging on to the myth a little longer). The rhyme helps keeps children's interest, and the pictures are lively and almost cartoonlike, which lends to the book's appeal.
Unfortunately, the story turns to prose at the point where Todd's dad tells him the truth about Saint Nick and the tradition of giving Christmas presents. It may be more direct, but it is dull in comparison with the liveliness of the poem. What the story does best, however, is present the truth, a truth that's sometimes hard for parents to fess up to their children. When children are ready for the truth, explaining our December traditions through the use of this book can be a special shared moment between parent and child, and can help make the explosion of the Santa myth a little easier to take.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about holiday traditions and stories. What are your own family traditions? Are they long-established, or new to your family? What's your favorite thing about the holidays?
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| Author: | Harold Myra |
| Illustrator: | Jane Kurisu |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher: | Thomas Nelson |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1997 |
| Number of pages: | 32 |
| Hardcover price: | $0.00 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 7 |
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