A New Improved Santa

Readers of all ages will delight in this hilarious holiday tale about remaining true to yourself.

It's a New Year's resolution - a brand new Santa. But do kids really want a slimmer, hipper, cyber Santa? He seems to think so, and gets to work on his resolution to slim down, pump-up and become more fashion forward. Mrs. Claus patiently watches Santa go through his mid-life crisis while preparing the North Pole for a traditional holiday. His new look isn't exactly a hit and on Christmas Eve when he "climbs into his old-fashioned sleigh, dressed in his old-fashioned way" he's learned a valuable lesson. A new, improved Santa is one who is true to himself and to the spirit of Christmas.

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Santa is feeling fat, old-fashioned, and boring, so he decides to change his image. In January, he goes on a diet. In February, he starts an exercise program. In March, he experiments with his hair-with extremely mixed results. In October, he purchases a roaring red rocket-copter. Throughout the year, Mrs. Claus lends her unending support (while subtly reassuring the elves and the reindeer that they really don't have anything to worry about). When November rolls around, Santa unveils his new and improved self, and is dismayed that the children seem to hate all the changes he's made. Not to worry: Mrs. Claus helps him get back to his traditional attire in time for Christmas, and Santa learns a valuable lesson. Funny, trendy references and a cool retro feel to the art make this an appealing book for adults as well as kids. It is especially suited for group sharing.-M. A.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Santa is on a year-long self-improvement binge ("My clothes are old-fashioned and my `Ho-ho-ho' is so-so-so boring"). With the support of the privately amused Mrs. Claus, Santa slims down, spikes his hair and experiments with a variety of sartorial styles before settling on a hipster suit and shades. Wolff's droll and assured text finds its match in Cravath's (One Little Two Little Three Little Pilgrims) puckish illustrations. Kids will have a hard time deciding which of the "new, improved" incarnations is funniest-hip-hop Santa, toting a boom box, is only one contender. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.