Antonella and Her Santa Claus [Hardcover]

Barbara Augustin (Author), Gerhard Lahr (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Antonella lives in Italy, in a little village nestled at the foot of mountains next to the sea, and the only thing she really wants for Christmas is a pair of red roller skates. She isn't quite sure, though, how to let Santa know. In the end, she ties her letter to Santa to a balloon, and hopes it will deliver her wish.

The balloon lands in a schoolyard in Hungary and the children there read Antonella's letter, and work to fulfill her dream. Santa himself may not have delivered the skates to Antonella, but he was definitely in the schoolyard in Hungary, in the little village in Italy...in all of us.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mocked by her schoolmates for believing in Santa Claus, an Italian girl sends off a Christmas letter anyway via balloon. It ends up in a schoolyard in Hungary, where the students pool their pocket money to fulfill Antonella's wish for roller-skates; their package arrives just in time for Christmas Eve, to the delight of Antonella (and her former disparagers). This uplifting volume from a German team is nimbly told, and the sprightly illustrations, with their smudges of color accented with black detail, possess a European flair. Ages 4-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Antonella, an Italian child, is teased by her classmates because she still believes in Santa Claus. She is sure he is real, however, and sends him a letter via balloon when she is turned away at the post office (they can't deliver without an address). The balloon touches down in a Hungarian schoolyard, the letter is translated by a teacher, and the children who found it decide to play Santa and send Antonella the roller skates she so desperately wants. There is no explanation of how the generous youngsters know how to find her-or what size she wears. Illustrated in a colorful, somewhat expressionist style, this book has an old-fashioned European look as well as setting. Too long for most storyhour settings, it will be best shared one-on-one or as an independent read.-V. W.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Pub; 1st US edition (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929132131
• ISBN-13: 978-1929132133
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,081,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Holiday Gift, December 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Antonella and Her Santa Claus (Hardcover)

When your child starts to think that the holidays are nothing more than a chance to get lots of toys, it's time for Antonella and Her Santa Claus. It's a Christmas story they won't see animated on TV. This book will open your child's eyes to the meaning of Christmas... and giving. It's beautifully illustrated. Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Destined to become a classic!, January 12, 2010

By 

Hannah Fowler - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Antonella and Her Santa Claus (Hardcover)

I read this book to my 3rd grade class each year in December, right before they write Santa Letters to the local small town newspaper. This book delivers the message that it's natural for children to believe in Santa, but sometimes even if your wishes are few, they may not be met. The storyline delivers the message that the act of giving is just as important as the act of receiving. The illustrations are tastefully done watercolors. It affirms that life is made more meaningful when strangers help others. However, it does not squash the idea of Santa for true believers, as toward the end of the story Santa appears on a sleigh of sorts...powered by helicopter blades! I would highly recommend this book as a Christmas letter starter, or even as a bedtime story. Good for ages 8-10.