Mrs. Claus Explains It All: (At Last) Answers to the Questions Real Kids Ask! by Elsbeth Claus
Mrs. Claus Explains It All: (At Last) Answers to the Questions Real Kids Ask! by Elsbeth Claus and illustrated by David Wenzel is a fun new picture book that I wish I had when I was little. Mrs. Claus, as second in command, takes us behind the scenes and answers the letters that her and Santa receive up at the North Pole. When I was growing up I always had questions that I never could find adequate answers for. Nothing has changed. Kids today have the same questions I had 25 years ago.
Some of those questions include:
- If Santa lives at the North Pole, how come I can’t see it?
- How old is Santa?
- What’s his favorite cookie? (That’s an important one.)
- How does Santa know where I live?
- How does he keep track of what I want?
- What are the Elves’ favorite books? I liked that question. Curious? Alice’s Adventure’s in Wonderland, Charlotte’s Web, A Wrinkle in Time, and The Wizard of Oz.
- How does Santa deliver all the toys in one night?
- What if I don’t have a chimney?
- How does Santa fit all those toys in his sleigh?
- And the most important question of all: I asked Santa for a toy I really, really wanted and I didn’t get it. Why?
We learn all about the North Pole, the buildings, the elves, what they do in their spare time, toy workshops, reindeer, what they like to eat, and that there are secret human elves who work undercover in high-tech industries and toy companies. I always wondered how Santa made Nintendo games and such.
So if you find yourself not coming up with very good answers to any of these questions, Mrs. Claus Explains It All by Elsbeth Claus (yes, that’s really her name!) is perfect for the holiday season. I found myself believing the answers so much, that I had to go back and mark this review from non-fiction to fiction. Shh . . . just don’t tell the kids! And FYI: Santa doesn’t eat his veggies.
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Picture & Board Books
Tags: Christmas, published 2008, review copy
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Oh my word, this is great. Not even 10 minutes ago (note the time, it’s 7:02 a.m. as I type) I had to explain how Santa can come through the fireplace if we have no chimney. I replied that he’s magical, and he will. I also added that, “He came last year, didn’t he?” to which the kids agreed. Now I need another cup of coffee. And this book. Thanks for the review!
on December 7th, 2008 at 5:04 amI’ve seen this reviewed around the blogs and it looks like a great book for kids.
on December 7th, 2008 at 9:38 amSounds SO cute! Have you read any of Jeff Guinn’s Christmas books? My favorite is The Autobiography of Santa Claus that was “told to” the author. Very cute and it sounds like this could be a kiddy version of it.
on December 7th, 2008 at 10:08 amBetty and Boo’s Mommy – We don’t have a chimney either. I do have a old fashioned key that we will put out underneath the doormat, so Santa can find his way in.
Serena – I haven’t seen this reviewed yet. I guess I’m falling behind on my blog reading.
Jen – I haven’t read any of Jeff Guinn’s books. I’d like to look into that one (Next year, though. Crazy that my seasonal reading is all booked up!).
on December 8th, 2008 at 1:34 am