Santa's Eleven Months Off by Mike Reiss

Happy day after Christmas fellow readers!

Hope that Santa Claus brought you everything on your list and if not...give the old guy a break, he means well....plus there's always next year.  With the main holiday hub-bub done and over with, it's time to take down the tree, the lights, the decorations of all shapes and sizes and...gear up for New Year's.  Oye vay.  Yes, there's always something on the horizon, but wait a second.  We have all these things to take care of but what about jolly old Saint Nick?  What does he do after the cookies are eaten, the deliveries are made and the reindeer and elves are all snug in their beds?  Surely he doesn't just wait around for 364 days to pass until his next "work day", does he?  Ha ha HA!  Think again!

Today's book of choice is....

Santa's Eleven Months Off

by

Mike Reiss

illustrated by

Michael G. Montgomery

Santa Claus is a busy guy indeed; 

He prepares the whole month long to make deliveries Christmas Eve.

December is taken by work it's no lie,

So just what's in store January through November for the big guy?

Weight loss plans and sunny days,

New clothes, trimmed beards, and time to laze.

Shopping trips and impromptu singing,

A sumo match he's a small chance of winning.

Reindeer games and secret ops

Surfing, swimming, the fun never stops.

September comes, it's time for school,

For you, for me, and Santa...he's no fool.

November brings his busy time nearer,

As the holiday season's glow comes through clearer.

So the next time you think the big guy has it made,

Perhaps you should consider how fast time does fade.

For although he gets some major time off,

The work he does in one night is nothing at which to scoff.

If you have reached this part of my review, I promise...no more rhyming, or attempting to rhyme.  This is a great picture book for children of all ages.  Anyone that has ever had the passing thought of just what Kris Kringle does after the holiday season is over is in for a surprise with every turn of the page.  See him in January conquering a few resolutions that many of us make every year.  Meet him in March as he makes a shopping trip incognito...well, sort of.  Check him out in August as the sun shines high in the sky over shimmering waters and sandy beaches.  What?  You didn't think Santa went to the beach?  Well, he may not be the next surfing star in training, but he does love some time in the sun. 

It's an creative look at what goes on those other months of the year with fantastic visuals to stimulate the imagination in any reader...not to mention a great reminder of how much work really goes into his one BIG night.  (Whew!)  Review copy courtesy of Erin at Peachtree Publishers.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title and their full catalog of wonder, be sure to visit them online, check out their blog, or follow along on Twitter (1 or 2).  

Until next time...happy holidays...and happy reading!