Guess Who's Coming to Santa's for Dinner?
Strega Nona Series
on Goodreads (337)
What’s inside...
A houseful of relatives turns 'Mrs. C.' and Santa's Christmas into a string of surprises, from the arrival of a pet polar bear to Cousin James B.'s flaming plum pudding. With its brightly colored illustrations, playful narration, and seasonal cheer, this rambunctious picture book from Tomie dePaola is sure to be a holiday favorite for the whole family. This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus are having their entire family over for Christmas dinner. There’s Uncle Alfred the inventor from Bermuda; Sister Olga the opera singer; eight young children, including Baby Willie; even a polar bear named Oscar. With a family like this, mayhem is bound to follow, and from a snowball fight to the Christmas pageant, it’s a wild affair. But in the spirit of the season, everyone has a wonderful time—even the frazzled hosts!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Santa invited so many guests for dinner?
How do the characters react to the surprises at dinner? What would you do in their place?
What does this story teach us about family and holiday traditions?
How can we make our holiday gatherings as fun and inclusive as Santa's dinner?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know about Santa and his friends to pique their interest.
Use different voices for the characters to make the reading more interactive and entertaining.
Pause after exciting moments in the story to ask your child how they feel or what they predict will happen next.
After reading, encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite part of the dinner party.
Discuss your family’s holiday traditions and ask your child what new tradition they’d like to start, inspired by the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Family
Explanation: The book showcases Santa's family gathering for a holiday meal, highlighting the joy and warmth of family connections.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value and cherish time spent with family, recognizing the importance of family bonds and traditions.
Example Lesson: Embracing Differences
Explanation: Santa’s diverse family members, each with unique characteristics, come together, teaching acceptance and appreciation of individual differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to accept and celebrate differences among their peers and within their communities, promoting inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: When challenges arise during the dinner, family members collaborate and solve problems together, demonstrating teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of working together to resolve conflicts and overcome obstacles, skills valuable in school and life.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Generosity
Explanation: The act of sharing a meal and exchanging gifts in the story highlights the values of generosity and selflessness.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice sharing and being generous towards others, enhancing their social interactions and empathy.
Example Lesson: Joy of Giving
Explanation: Santa and his family exemplify the happiness that comes from giving and sharing with loved ones, not just receiving.
Real-World Application: Children learn the intrinsic rewards of giving, fostering a sense of satisfaction and joy in making others happy.