Santa Claus    by Rod Green, Jon Lucas & Carol Wright Order:  USA  Can Atheneum, 2006 (2006) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson The front cover of this informative, interactive book on the holiday has an envelope attached, with a Christmas card from Santa and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole, while the back cover envelope includes stickers for holiday gifts. Inside is everything you (and Virginia) ever wanted to know about where Santa lives, the elves, the mail room, the workshop, Mrs. Claus, the reindeer, the snowsuit, the sleigh, the journey and present delivery, Santa Sightings, and Christmas Day chez Santa. Learn facts about: the Arctic (did you know the ice at the North Pole is thirteen feet thick?); animals like the Arctic hare, snow owl, and polar bear; the magic rooms in Santa's log cabin; how the elves organize and spend their time. Visit Santa's Mail Room, open a nice letter, and read the Naughty & Nice list over Santa's shoulder as he checks it twice. On to Santa's Workshop, 'the noisiest place at the North Pole'! Did you know the teddy bear is the elves' favorite toy? Learn its history, and read The Wisdom of the Elves, while watching them hard at work. Make scrumptious Christmas Cookies (with molasses and chocolate chips!) from Mrs. Claus's own recipe, and take a few with you as you visit the reindeer, learn all their personalities, and discover that 'Belief is the key to the magic of flight.' Open up Santa's wardrobe, and look over the garments - mundane and magical - that he dons on Christmas Eve. Check out the specs for his Sleigh (did you know it has Stealth Shock Absorbers, a magic bubble timer, and a food warmer for the reindeers' moss and lichen pies?) Share Santa's travels, while reading his Diary and route map, and learning about snow. Finally, enjoy Santa Sightings; read the Morning Telegraph story, 'Ho, ho, ho! Is it a UFO?'; share Christmas Day with the elves at the North Pole; and learn all about the Aurora Borealis. This ultimate book of Santa Claus is chock full of fascinating details for kids to pore over and explore - small booklets to read, pages to unfold, windows and envelopes to open - making it the perfect pastime to keep small hands and minds busy anticipating the holiday. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews