Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dazzling art, high adventure in wild ride to North Pole.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
It's 1908 and a package arrives at the Abilene, Texas, home of Art Atchison Aimesworth, an orphan who lives with his aunt, uncle, and little sister, Esther. The kids and Art's best friend, Spaulding Littlefeets, a Commanche, find instructions: "Open the box. Assemble the contents. Come NORTH. Yours, S.C." They figure out it's from Santa Claus, and Esther says, "Gee whiz. SANTA CALLS." Inside the box is a flying machine, but the basket they were to ride in is damaged, so they attach Spaulding's canoe. On Christmas Eve, they take off for the North Pole, where they meet Santa and battle Dark Elves and their evil queen.
Is It Any Good?
This wildly imaginative picture book has exciting adventure, glorious world-building, clever language, and a sweet sibling story with conflict, redemption, and resolution. Santa Calls takes readers on a mysterious journey to see Santa and his magical world and fight a noble fight, although they won't learn why Santa summoned them till they get back home.
The text is rich, colorful, and long, making it great for read-aloud. There's lots to look at in the detailed illustrations, so kids may want to linger on spreads before turning the page. The story is both sweepingly grand and intensely personal, as it follows a boy who learns not to underestimate his little sister.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what Toyland at the North Pole looks like in Santa Calls. How is it different from the way it's been pictured in other books and movies? How have you imagined the place where kids' toys are made for Santa Claus to deliver?
What do you think of Art and Esther's relationship? What makes him change his mind about how valuable she is?
Have you ever imagined a flying machine to take you on wild adventures? Draw a picture of one you'd like to fly.
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : William Joyce
- Genre : Holiday
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Holidays
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date : September 28, 1993
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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