I remember writing letters to Santa as a kid, but he never wrote back. In When Santa Wrote Back, Jake writes a letter to Santa with his list of things he wants. He writes another and then Santa writes back. Jake answers with even more requests for Santa. There is a back and forth until Santa throws his hands up and abdicates his position, with Jake now becoming Santa. This book has a great message about the meaning of giving vs receiving gifts, but in a fun and amusing way. Although it was almost 100 degrees out when we read this book, my youngest got right into the idea of a long list of things he would want. He thought Jake was pretty greedy though and said he would never want all that stuff. We talked about the joy of giving and how it makes you happy to see someone enjoy what you gave them. It actually made me think about how I always tell my kids they don't need to give me anything. I know it makes my grandkids happy to see me open a gift and make a big deal over it. This story has a rhyming cadence, and is easy to read aloud. The illustrations are wonderful, large, colourful and fun to look at. Although the oldest doesn't believe in Santa, he understood the message of giving gifts vs receiving them. We enjoyed this book and I know we will read it again as it gets closer to the holiday.

A quite joyous slice of sprightly seasonal fun. Jake writes a letter to the North Pole with his request list from Santa – and then another. So exasperated with the greedy kid is the old man that he for once replies – but that's not it by far. No, after a few swaps of missives Santa arranges a job swap – he gubbers off with his beach umbrella in his sack, leaving young Jake with the responsibility of being chief global gift-giver. And with the beard.

And all this is in verse? You betcha. Wonderful art, that is kinetic yet not OTT, great characterisation and lore regarding Santa and those who benefit from his delivery service – and of course the child as Santa, really make this distinctive. You can get Christmas films galore where some random old bloke ends up obliged to be generous and giving, but surely it makes more sense to force that upon any relevant child first. Greed is bad, Santa is good, and hopefully kids are too. This to me did so much that is fun and enjoyable and novel – and yet it shouldn't have, for the concept as I say sounds so bleedin' obvious. I should have seen this book years, decades ago – but the fact it came my way more recently is still a great pleasure. There's very little to get in the way of this being awarded a full five stars.

BLUF: a great reminder about the true spirit of Christmas, gently distilled into a humorous back and forth between an initially cluelessly selfish little boy who learns a tough lesson from a fed up Santa.

Overall: 5
Lesson/Plot: 5
Illustrations: 5

Suggested Ages:
Read To: 2-6 y/o
Read By: 5-8 y/o

Mom's Review:
This was such a cute story for the kids! As hard it can be, teaching graciousness, the art of giving back & not taking, less is more, thinking of others, etc., at a young age is crucial. And this book did it superbly!

"A's" Review
(Pending)

"C's" Review
(Pending)

Dad's Review
(Pending)

(Full Traveling Book Family reviews to come!)

A very jolly thank you to Nathan Christopher and Sourcebooks Wonderland for the opportunity to read and review this giggle-inducing, feel-good book!

All reviews are our own.

This is the most adorable book about how to write to Santa and the attitude you should have about requesting gifts. It even has suggestions in the end on how to write a letter. I don't know that I agree with all the hints, but the book is so charming and has a great message.

The best Christmas book I’ve read this year (so far)! The rhymes are delightful, and while I truly felt sorry for little Jack, it’s clear he learned his lesson — and I hope my kids will take the hint too! A wonderful, festive, and meaningful read for the holiday season.

#CampNetGalley

This one is fabulous. I absolutely loved it! Jake's voice is hilarious, the rhymes are fun, and the twist when Santa writes back is perfect. It gave me The Santa Claus vibes in the best way, especially as Jake becomes Santa Claus in job and physically! The illustrations are full of charm and holiday cheer, and the scenes with Santa on vacation are laugh-out-loud funny. One of my favorite parts was the letter-writing tips at the end. It's a smart and meaningful way to tie it all together. This is a definite add to any holiday collection. Funny, festive, and full of heart. A new holiday favorite for sure.

A boy writes a letter to Santa and needs to discover that Christmas is not just about receiving gifts. This would be a good holiday read and good for teaching letter writing. A cute christmas story that reminds readers of Christmas spirit. For grades K-3.

This will be a great addition to holiday picture books! A great lesson about the trappings of wanting more and more during Christmas. The letter writing between child and Santa is perfect!

Just a sweet story of how Jake kept writing Santa and adding more and more things to his list. Santa responds each time with messages of it better to give that receive and Jake doesn't get it. Santa surprise him and he learns the lesson. I appreciate how it is written in letter format, the rhyming, and the message. As a librarian I can see this being read for years to come.

THIS WAS SO FUN. My 3 year old LOVED reading this one before bed and it sparked up a great conversation about the importance of being a good boy and how it's way more fun to make people happy than to receive a gift.

This was such a fun and silly read with a wonderful message at the heart of it. The back and forth letters were a great way to show the spirit of the holiday. It was especially fun getting to see Jake in the role of Santa. I also appreciated the rhyming used as it created a nice reading cadence for the kids. Also, the illustrations are darling. They’re vibrant, cartoony and fit the festive vibe perfectly. I definitely recommend this one.

I was excited for an opportunity to review a new Christmas book as my kids are big fans of Christmas and anything Santa. This book was advertised as being for kids ages 3-7. The illustrations were great and detailed. While I appreciated the overall morale of this story, I think it may be better suited for ages 5 and up. I am not sure if I will be reading this story to my toddlers.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of When Santa Wrote Back by Nathan Christopher in exchange for a honest review. This is a wonderful rhyming story about a boy named Jake who is more of a taker than a giver and has a long list of gifts he wants from Santa.Santa tells him to change his ways but what happens when he doesn’t.? Santa turns the tables on him and teaches him a valuable lesson.Perfect read for preschoolers!

I read this with my son who is five and he enjoyed it as well as I did. We love Christmas and I teach him that it is not just about receiving gifts but giving-whether that's a gift or help needed. This book was beautifully illustrated and written, cannot wait to buy a physically copy to read more closer to December!

When Santa Wrote Back by Nathan Christopher is a fun and festive holiday read where a boy’s over-the-top letter gets a surprising reply from Santa. With humor, heart, and playful illustrations, it’s a perfect Christmas story for kids and families to enjoy together!

This is my new favorite Christmas book. I've already preordered a copy for my granddaughter.

I loved everything about it. The rhyming was perfect, Jake was the cutest, hilarious character. A great lesson for every child to think of others and not ask for too much for Christmas. I loved the list of suggestions for writing to Santa at the end.
I received this galley from NetGalley.

Thank you for the ARC. This was an awesome story. Not only were the illustrations spot on, but the rhymes were great and not over done and the message in the story was so important. We often forget that Christmas is a time of giving, not receiving. Wonderful book!

This is a kids book about a kid who creates a penpal relationship with Santa to learn that Christmas is about more than gifts. I am a sucker for a kids book with a lesson. I would say this book would be perfect to be read to kids 4-6 but would still have lessons for my 9 year old! The illustrations are great and the message is clear.

A silly and goofy chidlren's book for the holiday season. I felt like I saw myself as a child when reading this book! Fun and joyful read :)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Such a cute holiday book. It has a great message without the message overpowering the fun. The illustrations are engaging and help tell the story. I shared it with some kids and they spent a lot of time admiring the illustrations. It is a rhyming book, but without it feeling forced. The writing flows well. Great addition to a holiday collection. I will be adding it to mine.