Santabear's First Christmas by Barbara Read

 Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're exploring a title from my own shelves.  Something that's a little harder to find but well worth the search, suitable for all ages, and a perfect fit for the time for the time of year.  It takes us back into the land of Storybooks and features one cute little lead that is very stout of heart.  Ladies and gents, put your mittened hands together for today's book of choice...

Santabear's First Christmas

by

Barbara Read

Illustrations by

Howard B. Lewis

Adapted from Santabear's First Christmas, produced and directed by Mark Sottnick

0808163019

Santabear Books

This is the adorably sweet tale of a little polar bear who is lost, found, and eventually discovers that he is more than simply a little bear, but SANTABEAR!  Now before we get ahead of ourselves, he does not have super powers or magical lineage; all of his might comes from the power of his heart.  While lost, he meets a young girl named Marie and her kindly grandfather.  They teach him all sorts of things and become a new family for him whilst far away from home.  One day, grandfather falls ill and things start to look less-than-rosy for young Marie as the firewood dwindles to next to nothing.  Simply stated, without fire for light and warmth, they won't make the night.  Our little bear friend sets out to accomplish a task that seems impossible, but with a little help from his new found forest friends and one jolly man in red, he comes through with flying colors.

I loved the simple story filled with more heart than you might expect.  I enjoyed the beautiful artwork that depicted everything just so with the right amount of firelight, the correct shade of winter, and the range of emotions ever visible on the faces depicted.  I was even surprised by the ending but happily so...though how I shan't say.  I do promise though...things turn out all right.

In close, this title is an oldie (published 1986) but a goodie and one I'd recommend to all ages.  I myself stumbled across it at our local library bookstore.  Don't despair though; keep an eye out!  If you find a copy, I highly recommend the investment for it's truly a gem to add to your seasonal reads that you'll want to share throughout the years.  Oh and one more thing...as I noted above, it IS adapted from a made for TV movie/special....so there's always that option for viewing if you can't get your hands on a copy of the book.  (Mine arrived this past weekend...I'm probably watching it as you read this.  ^_^)

Until next time...MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL...happy reading!