I am not Santa Claus by T. L. McBeth

Ask any little person how they would recognise Santa if they saw him, and you would get very similar answers - an older man, a big red coat with a matching hat, big, round belly,...

So when the little boy sees a man matching that description in the street, he is convinced he is Santa and is so determined to give him is Christmas list, that he even follows the man home where he discovers more similarities! But the old man is equally determined not to engage because he is NOT Santa...

Written as a conversation between the narrator who insists all the clues point to the man being Santa Claus, and an old man who insists he is not, and there are logical explanations for his actions, this is a story for young readers who will be carried along in the playful back-and-forth that will make them focus on their vision and version of the real Santa Claus.

With its striking Bruna-esque illustrations, this might seem to be one for our youngest readers as, like the little boy, they apply what they already know to what they are seeing, and may have fun casting a vote about whether this is or isn't Santa before the final pages. But, like quality picture books, it can have applications across the years as it could also be used to introduce the concept and layout of dialogue for slightly older readers, as the narrator's voice is in regular text while the bunny's is presents as speech bubbles. How might this have been written in a novel using quotation marks and other punctuation? Some might even like to turn it into a Readers Theatre to perform for younger students.

Older readers could enjoy it as an introduction to the concept of stereotyping, perhaps beginning by drawing their image of Santa before the book is shared, and discussing how their interpretations compare to those of their friends as well as those identified in the book. Even the too-cool-for-school brigade harbour a secret belief in this particular childhood favourite so this is a great opportunity to engage them in the fun while still respecting their growing maturity. They might even consider the validity of the boy's evidence that this is indeed Santa comparing it with Santa's logical and plausible explanations to the contrary.

But, whether it is shared with little ones or used as a teaching tool to keep older readers engaged as the end of years looms, the old man's final message proves that there is more to this time of the year than someone in a fancy suit distributing largesse and it might, in itself, spark further discussion about how they might make someone's Christmas that little bit better.

Themes: Santa Claus, Christmas.

Barbara Braxton