Book Review
Santa’s Favorite Story
by Hisako Aoki & Ivan Gantshev
"No, no, no," said Santa in a kindly voice, "Christmas hasn't got anything to do with me. Sit down and I'll tell you all the story of the first Christmas."
This is a delightful picture book for children at reading levels ages 4-8. Written by Hisako Aoki, this Aladdin paperback is illustrated with charming watercolors by Ivan Gantschev. A true treasure, the story helps young children to de-emphasize Santa’s role in Christmas by placing Santa’s own focus on the birth of Jesus Christ.
Story Summary
Santa goes for a walk in the woods to get in shape for his heavy Christmas deliveries. However, he gets tired and ends up falling asleep under a tree. When the forest animals gather around him, he tells them he might be too tired to deliver the presents this year. Alarmed, the fox asks "Does that mean there won't be a Christmas anymore?" Santa tells them his favorite story about the first Christmas, when Jesus the Son of God was born in Bethlehem. He concludes, "Love was the gift God gave to us on the first Christmas, and it still is, you know. And this love is far better than any presents I can ever deliver." Joyous and re-energized, the forest animals return to Santa’s house to help him prepare for Christmas Eve.
Reader's Reaction
Early childhood educators agree that this book is among the best of its kind. Although younger children are inundated by commercial images of Santa Claus at Christmastime, this title makes it easy for them to join Santa in his adoration of the Christ-child. Santa’s Favorite Story acknowledges children’s experience of the “right jolly old elf” while introducing them to the real reason for celebrating the season. This is a memorable tale, and many young families read it aloud along with their telling of Luke’s Gospel.
Pop Quiz―What Do Kids Really Want?
T or F? Kids MOST want this at Christmas…
1. Lots of new toys.
2. Dozens of decorated cookies.
3. Their photo taken with Santa.
4. Candy canes and chocolate.
5. Extra money.
6. Their parents’ love.
Answers 1-5 = F, 6 = T. Children of every age need our time and love the most at Christmas. This translates into quality plus quantity time. Above all, let’s be with them!
Bonus: 1 Corinthians 13 For Busy Moms
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure!
This piece is quoted from Christie at Crickl's Nest in loving memory of her friend Sue, the author. Read the much loved Scripture passage upon which it is based here.
Related: Christmas Tour of Homes
BooMama is hosting a Christmas Tour of Homes on Friday Dec. 15, 2006. Post your photos (any time over the weekend), add your blog to Mister Linky, leave a comment, and then take the grand tour. Please stop by and enjoy a little of my hospitality here at Chrysalis Press. 
Do you read any special stories to your family at Christmas?Photo Credits: ShelbyMyLove, Allan & Cheryl (Flickr) and amazon.com.
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14 COMMENTS:
We have an entire basket of Christmas books we leave out the month of December by our fireplace :). One of my ABSOLUTE favorites is "The Tale of Three Trees", but we read many of them, most of them children's books, some for adults (John Grisham's "Skipping Christmas" comes to mind). Even though my children are older now, they really enjoy leafing through them, and they each have their favorites. One of the neater ones is a re-telling of the 12 days of Christmas, with a biblical reference to each of the days. My youngest loves the "I Spy Christmas", too. He "plays" every year, and that was the first one he looked at this year.
One we don't have, though, is "Santa's Favorite Story" and I LOVE the sound of it. If I can find it (off now to do a bit of shopping), I'm picking up several copies--to keep AND give away!
Oh, so many special stories
Matthew & Luke
Shaoey & Dot: the Christmas Miracle
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
The Gift of the Magi
Red Boots for Christmas
The Night Before Christmas
The Christmas Box by Evans
Christmas Carol by Dickens
The Legend of the Candy Cane
The Legend of the Christmas Stocking
The Legend of the Christmas Tree
The Littlest Angel
Polar Express
Shepherds Abiding
Tree of Cranes
A Wing and a Prayer
The wee Christmas cabin of Carn-na-ween
The littlest Christmas Tree
The tale of the Three Trees
My sister reminded me of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Oh I just love the sound of that Santa book, just what we need. I tried to explain about St Nicholas to B, and explain that Santa is not real, but in one ear and out of the other! Lol. She still believes, little treasure. Anyway, because we are trying to focus on Jesus I'm going to look that book up on Amazon. Thanks.
Also I loooove that Christmassy reworking of the Corinthians scripture, wow.
I don't have many Christmas books. We have a gorgeous jigsaw book of the nativity story, another with a donkey finger puppet in of the nativity story. I also have Mogs Christmas, the cutest book about the cat, no spiritual references though :)
Hugs to you this yuletide.
This book sounds wonderful! Especially with my girls both in that age bracket. I love the idea behind this!
As for us, we have lots and lots of little children's Christmas books...my favorite when I was little was a little golden book of Rudolph...which I gave to them. (So, now I can still enjoy it over and over as an adult!) :)
But our tradition is always to read the Christmas story out of the Bible on Christmas Eve.
And by the way...your site is always a blessing to me, emom! Merry Christmas!
Oh my goodness. I just love that someone wrote the book "Santa's Favorite Story". That is incredible that someone took the spin about Santa Claus telling the story of the birth of Christ...
I read the 1 Corinthians passage over at Christie's. Isn't it precious?
My car stereo is set for a Christan radio station. They have been playing a new Christmas song (more targeted for children) by Go Fish. It is called "Christmas with a Capital "C"" - I love that song. Too bad that the CD is not coming out until after Christmas - at least on Christian Books.com...
Hi robin, leftcoastonlooker, sarah, tammy, and eph2810: Thanks for all your awesome comments. We have a few favorites too besides this one, including Dickens' A Christmas Carol. (I used to keep them all in a basket in the livingroom, where they could be accessed easily, Robin. I should re-instigate your idea!) I sent my young non-Christian niece and nephew the book version of The Nativity movie this year, and a book version of The Narnia movie last year. Books are wonderful things in children's lives! This year, they will also be receiving a children's Bible from their Auntie e-Mom. I'll look into that new CD by Go Fish for them too, Iris. Thanks!!! Merry Christmas to you too, Tammy. The donkey finger puppet book sounds cute, Sarah. And leftcoastonlooker, I really appreciate your excellent list.
Hugs to all, and have a great weekend! :~)
I MUST get that book! Thanks :)
And what a wonderful piece for Moms this season :)
you know that's why I've embraced my husbands tradition of Sinterklaas; so we can separate the fact and fiction and put Christ back in Christmas.
We have been reading the nativity story straight out of the bible. That works for us! :)
E-mom,
What a treasure of a book that sounds. I too have a pile of Christmas books and videos that I keep packed with my Christmas decorations. When we get them out each year it is like a visit from an old, beloved friend.
I love the rewrite of I Cor. 13. Have a blessed Christmas!
E-mom,
What a treasure of a book that sounds. I too have a pile of Christmas books and videos that I keep packed with my Christmas decorations. When we get them out each year it is like a visit from an old, beloved friend.
I love the rewrite of I Cor. 13. Have a blessed Christmas!
janice: Thanks for stopping by! I hope you can find a copy. :~)
amydeanne I'm not really familiar with the Sinterklaas tradition. (Country?) I'll have to do a little research. :~)
laurie: Lol, old familiar books really are like beloved friends, aren't they? A blessed Christmas to you too!
Ok here's hoping this will post ;)
Thanks for the tip re the great book. I'm going to get it for my granddaughter.
e-mom,
thanks for the suggestion of the book. I checked it out and it looks great. I will be sure and get it for Ellie, next year.
I also love Max Lucado's "The Crippled Lamb". I cry every time I read it. Have a Merry Christmas!
marillaanne: I hope your granddaughter enjoys this book. :~)
rachelle: I'll have to take a look at "The Crippled Lamb," thanks. Merry Christmas to you too!
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