The 12 Sleighs of Christmas
What’s inside...
When Santa's sleigh falls into disrepair, the elves get creative and design a variety of imaginative sleighs inspired by different vehicles. The New York Times bestselling author of 'Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site' and the illustrator of 'The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man' collaborate to create a festive and fun rhyming picture book. This holiday read-aloud features vehicular silliness and Christmas cheer, making it a potential classic for families who enjoy engaging, vehicle-themed Christmas stories. Which elf will build the coolest sleigh for the Christmas ride? SANTA will decide! When the elves discover that Santa's sleigh is in a terrible state, they let their imaginations go wild—and soon there are sleighs of every kind, inspired by big rigs, motorcycles, zeppelins, and much more!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What kind of sleigh would you design if you were helping Santa, and why?
How do teamwork and creativity help the elves solve their problem in the story?
Which sleigh design was your favorite, and what did you like about it?
How do you think Santa feels about the different sleigh ideas, and why?
How would the story change if there were no elves to help Santa?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe their favorite parts of the book, fostering a deeper connection to the story.
Use the illustrations in the book to spark discussions about different sleigh designs and their unique features.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings or additional challenges for the characters, enhancing their creative thinking.
Discuss the importance of teamwork as shown in the book, relating it to real-life situations your child may encounter.
Praise your child’s responses and ideas during the discussion to build their confidence in expressing their thoughts and opinions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: In 'The 12 Sleighs of Christmas,' the elves work together to design and build the best sleigh for Santa, showcasing a spirit of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working with others to achieve common goals, which is applicable in school projects and family activities.
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: The elves think outside the box and create unique sleigh designs, demonstrating creativity and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to express their own creativity in arts, crafts, and problem solving in their daily activities.
Example Lesson: Resilience and problem-solving
Explanation: When challenges arise, the elves tackle them with determination, exemplifying resilience.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to persevere and find solutions when facing difficulties in their tasks or play.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for diversity
Explanation: Each elf’s design reflects their individuality, celebrating diversity through the various creative sleighs.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and celebrate differences among their peers, promoting inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Joy of giving
Explanation: The elves' ultimate goal is to create a sleigh that brings joy to others, highlighting the value of thoughtfulness and giving.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to think about how their actions can bring happiness to others, encouraging altruistic behavior.