Common Sense Media Review
By Diondra K. Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Santa's surprise holiday sleepover turns into merry mayhem.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The Mack family thought welcoming Santa Claus into their home would be joyful and fun, but they ended up saying
"SANTA'S GOTTA GO!" Monte, Mabel, and their parents turn their home into an inviting Christmas retreat, hoping Santa might spend some extra time with them on Christmas night. When Santa's sleigh unexpectedly breaks down, the Mack family invites him to stay at their home until it can be fixed. Only things don't go well at all. This modern, tattoo-clad Santa trades in his sleigh for dad's motorcycle, has late night jam sessions, and accidentally breaks a Christmas present. Santa doesn't seem to want to leave 4550 Welling Good Lane, even when the part to fix his sleigh arrives. The family politely shares their frustrations in a note and leaves for a hotel, making Santa reflect on his actions. He repays their hospitality in a big way.
Is It Any Good?
The Mack family reminds readers that patience and kindness are what the holiday season is all about. Santa's Gotta Go! is a funny story that celebrates diverse characters, who have extra compassion during the holiday season. Derrick Barnes' unexpected story will have readers laughing and groaning till the final, hilarious twist. Courtney Lovett's illustrations perfectly capture the character's relatable feelings and draw readers into the story. Everyone can relate to what it's like to host or be hosted during the holidays which makes this book an entertaining read for the whole family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how in Santa's Gotta Go!, the Mack family realizes that Santa isn't an easy houseguest. Name some things he does that were inconsiderate? How would it make you feel if Santa did that in your home? Do you think he made up for his behavior?
Would you want a magical, holiday figure like Santa Claus or Cupid to visit your home? Why or why not?
What do you think Santa's reindeer were doing while he spent time with the Mack family?
The Mack's are very compassionate and caring towards Santa. Did he deserve it? Why or why not? Do you think Santa learned a lesson about being a better house guest?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Courtney Lovett
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Holidays
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Humility
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Nancy Paulsen Books
- Publication date : October 10, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : January 15, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate