A Message for Santa
What’s inside...
Not every child welcomes the arrival of Santa Claus. The gentle humour of this book by a top author/artist team is the perfect solution for children afraid of Santa. Emily loves Christmas but there is something about it that makes her heart sink, and that something is Santa Claus. Emily wants to block up the chimney to prevent Santa entering the house. But her mom inspires her to find another solution. Eventually, Emily writes Santa a note telling him to come in through the back door and to go no farther than the kitchen table! Afterwards, Emily is so pleased with Santa that she decides that from now on, he may enter the house and even take a nap on the sofa if he is tired.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the main message of the book was?
How would you feel if you were Santa and received that message?
Can you think of a moment you helped someone, just like in the story?
What would you write in a message to Santa if you had the chance?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, maintain eye contact and show genuine interest in your child's responses.
Encourage empathy by asking how they would feel in the shoes of various characters.
Praise their insights and thoughts to build confidence in expressing their opinions and understanding of the story.
Relate the story's messages to real-life situations in your family's life to deepen the impact of the book's themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of communication
Explanation: The story showcases characters writing letters to Santa, expressing their wishes and thoughts.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of expressing their needs and desires through clear communication, which can be applied in interacting with parents and peers.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: In the story, characters also share their feelings and worries in their messages, which teaches readers to consider others' feelings.
Real-World Application: This helps children develop empathy and can encourage them to be more considerate and understanding towards the feelings of friends and family members.
Example Lesson: Patience and the reward of waiting
Explanation: Characters in the book wait eagerly for Santa’s response, showing that good things come to those who wait.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the value of patience in everyday situations like waiting their turn or anticipating special occasions.