I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. I think it is a very original concept and I know that I often wondered where Santa came from as a child. This story has very clever links to other nursery rhymes and it would make a lovely bedtime story in the Christmas season. Some of the language may need to be explained to the children as the read it but overall the story flowed very well. The original illustrations are also lovely. My only criticism is that the front cover doesn't stand out enough.

Fancy reading a Christmas story in May? At first, the lovely Christmassy cover really caught my eye. Then, I found out that it was a classic tale first published in 1922. I was quite keen on reading more.

Overall, it is a lovely Christmas story about Santa Claus’s childhood and how he became this much-loved high-profile red-cladded figure.

It is very interesting that the author introduced so many references to other classical tales or nursery rhymes (Old King Cole, Jack and Jill, Little Bo Beep, among many others).

Although I thought it was a nice story, I wasn’t really that moved by the book. I thought it lacked some magic. Maybe, if I try reading it once again during the Christmas season I’ll have a different perspective?!

Sarah Addington has written a “new” Christmas classic. This book is sure to become a family favorite. In this very unique and imaginative version of Santa’s childhood, Sarah touches hearts with her combination of Santa lore and Mother Goose. How can you go wrong with that combination? You can’t. This story answers many questions children have about Santa...Where did he grow up? Does he have any brother or sisters? Has he always made toys? Living in Old King Cole’s kingdom, Santa grows up with all the favorite nursery rhyme characters: baker, candlestick maker, Jack Sprat, fiddlers three, Mistress Mary, and his grandmother, Mother Goose. The incorporation of these familiar nursery rhyme friends helps make the story more believable. The illustrations are so comforting with the soft colors and the 1920 style. They are a wonderful visual for Addington’s book. They capture the innocence of the story.

I think The Boy Who Lived in Pudding Lane should be an addition to all Christmas libraries. It is written with an easy to read style that will encourage younger readers to read and the subject will attract older elementary readers. It will help kids of all ages get into the holiday spirit. It could be partnered with a book of Mother Goose rhymes. I know this book will be a new addition to the Christmas stories I share with my grandchildren. It will be a new family tradition!

A good resource but not something that is pertinent to my classroom.

A really cute and adorable short novel which is perfect for children at Christmas time. The illustrations were so beautiful and really matched the story well. I found myself easily hooked to the story, the characters were so cute yet really interesting and will hopefully keep the child's attention. After reading so many Christmas books, especially in my childhood. This story default unique to me and really refreshing to read.