Waiting for Santa by Lucy Cochran & Heidi McKinnon

The letters have been written, Ren and Harry have made lists of things they want, Christmas is in the air and Mum and Dad take the children to the store to see Santa. Moloko the cat is in Harry’s backpack. The family joins the queue, and the children see the sign telling them that they have 7000 elf steps to go. The children are dismayed at the length of the queue, wondering if Santa is really there. Harry lets Moloko go in search of Santa. Mayhem is sure to happen.

Moloko leaps through the lattes, crashes through the crockery, and bounds through the books. At last, he makes it to the very top of the store to see Santa arriving in his sleigh. Happily, the children come down the escalator with Santa and find their parents unsure of where they are. All ends happily with Santa having his photo with the family. Another Christmas custom is accomplished.

A charming tale of the magic of Christas and the customs we all participate in at that time for the year, Waiting for Santa underlines the expectations children have in waiting for the special day. It always seems so far away, with weeks to go, with customs to be worked through. Santa is the special person they are waiting for, and again it seems an interminable length of time for him to arrive. In this cute tale Moloko the cat does a spectacular turn in hurrying Santa up.

The image of Santa’s legs sticking out of the chimney will amuse all readers, and the mayhem caused by the cat will tickle their funny bones. All the trappings of Christmas are shown, Christmas lights, Christmas tree, Santa and the sleigh, Father Christmas in the store, queueing for Father Christmas, wrapping paper, presents, candy cane, decorations, Christmas letters and lists. Kids will love reiterating the sort of customs their family has for Christmas and rejoice in the way Christmas is celebrated around the world.

Themes: Christmas, Family, Christmas customs.

Fran Knight