Customer Reviews

Santa Knows

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Alfie F Snorklepuss thinks believing in Santa Claus is silly and sets out to prove it. He reads up on reindeer and flying, and flying reindeer. He studies maps and distances. He checks to see if any jet companies make sleighs. He decides to factor in the speed of light and changing time zones. There is no way this big elf is real, he tells the media outlets.

His sister, Noelle, is a true believer and she requests a nicer big brother for Christmas from the big guy. Nothing for Santa to do but grant her wish, even if it means shaking Alfie up a bit.

The illustrations in this book will draw you in. Santa and crew are in the traditional attire, but with an original twist. Alfie's pajamas bear all the "bah humbug" a little boy can carry.

Armchair Interviews ways: Little ones will love this one. The book is delightful, adorable, entertaining...everything you could want in a children's book about Santa.

I felt that the children that read this story really enjoyed it.

Alfie F. Snorkelpuss doesn't believe in Santa, and he sets out to prove that Santa doesn't exist. He researches, weighs the evidence, and wages a campaign. No one listens, especially his little sister, Noelle.

On Chistmas Eve, Noelle writes a letter to Santa Claus. She wants a nicer big brother.

When Santa pops down the chimney, Alfie is face-to-face with the jolly old soul himself. Santa wastes no time explaining "elf science and technology" to Alfie, and then stuffs Alfie into his bag so Alfie can see for himself.

Santa makes a believer out of Alfie and Noelle has a very Merry Christmas.

This delightful book written by Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith and illustrated by Steve Bjorkman is a must-have for your Christmas collection! SANTA KNOWS is an imaginative tale that explains once and for all how Santa gets so much accomplished in just one night.

My kids believe in Santa; I have no problem with that. I'm just as into the whole Santa thing as anyone else, but I hate reading this story to my children. My kids love it, so I'll keep reading, but I feel it sends such a terrible message. That message, doubt is wrong and those who doubt are horrible people.

Alfie is portrayed as most skeptics are in popular media are: A cynical naysayer who wants nothing more than to ruin his sister's faith for no reason and who, ultimately, is wrong.

If this were simply a story about a mean little kid who needs to learn how to be nicer to his sister, or about how having doubts shouldn't cause us to dump on someone else's faith, those points could have been made without resorting poisonous stereotypes and discouraging healthy doubt.

At some point, kids are going to doubt. That's healthy. Kids with doubts should be encouraged to do things like research and find out for themselves what they believe is true, rather than vilified for coming to believe something they are going to end up accepting as an adult anyway. It is wrong, in my opinion, to send that message to kids.

I remember when I went to my parents with doubts about Santa. Rather than continuing to lie to me (which, let's be honest, is exactly what we are doing as parents) they told me the truth and let me join them in the "pre-Santa's-visit activities (wrapping the presents, eating the cookies, drinking the milk, etc.). Rather than stealing the magic from Santa, it made me appreciate the tradition in a more grown up way. I think I cherish those Christmas memories more than anything that came before.

At the end of the Christmas Day, we all know Alfie is right, Noelle will one day also be a non-believer and our children are going to have to go through that just like everyone else. Why make them feel like villains for it?

Alfie F. Snorklepuss does not believe in Santa. He has researched and calculated all the facts and is positive that Santa cannot exist. He denounces the Santa myth at school, in letters to the editor, on talk radio and on the World Wide Web.

His sister Noelle tells him that "Santa Claus believes in people who believe in him" and she writes to Santa with a special request for her Christmas gift.

On Christmas Eve, Alflie stakes out the Christmas tree to discover the truth about Santa. He discovers more than he could ever imagine!

Steve Björkman's illustrations tell the story with humor. Alfie's pajamas are hilarious.

When I read a Santa book to a group of kids, there is always one kid who will coolly announce what they "think" is the truth about Santa Claus. He/She is then always the recipient of vigorous denials and a verbal pummeling from the other kids.

I know children who yearn for the anticipation, mystery and excitement of Santa's visit. They want do not want to miss the thrill of Christmas morning. This is a sweet tale for families with young (and older) children who want to believe.

Alfie F. Snorklepuss is really a sour puss. He has decided Santa is not real, and is doing everything he can to convince the whole world. He is writing letters, making billboards, going on the TV and radio to proclaim his new found beliefs. But on Christmas Eve he has the biggest surprise of his life. The story by Greg and Cynthia is very funny and the illustrations by Steve Bjorkman bright, vibrant and very engaging.

When I was small I dallied with disbelief in Santa Claus. After offering my tentative doubts on the subject, an older adult cousin deadlocked my eyes with hers and intoned, "You know, Tricia, Santa only gives gifts to little kids who believe." Sobering thought. From thereout, I kept my trap shut.

But Alfie F. Snorklepuss cannot keep his disbelief to himself. He shouts that Santa is a scam from every platform and media source he can find. In his zeal, he doesn't realize that he threatens to ruin Christmas for his younger sister, Noelle. Then at the height of his plot to debunk the Santa myth, you know who arrives and teaches Alfie that the true gift of Christmas is love.

Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith seamlessly interweave the timeless story of Santa into contemporary scenes of 21st century daily life that your children will recognize. The illustrations are delightful and the updated take on the Santa theme is refreshing. A charming tale for the holiday season!