When Santa got stuck in a gum tree by Jackie Hosking. Illus. by Nathaniel Eckstrom

There is a popular children's song that begins...

When Santa got stuck up the chimney,
He began to shout.
You girls and boys, won't get any toys,
If you don't pull me out.

But what happens when Santa gets stuck in a gum tree?

He flew too low, and Ho! Ho! Ho! got snagged on the branch of a tree.

While the reindeer and sleigh land safely, there aren't any children to help out so how is he going to be rescued? Luckily, it's not long before a group of familiar Australian animals gather to help, and each has a go but it proves a task too hard. Bilby is too small, as was Wombat, but what about Emu? While Cockatoo flies off to fetch him, Koala is sure he can can help because he can climb but the tree is tall and there are gum leaves to eat... Even Kangaroo can't jump high enough...

Is Santa destined to stay stuck forever - or does Owl have a suggestion?

With its clever rhyming text and hilarious illustrations, this is a uniquely Australian story that is going to appeal to all ages, especially if they are invited to suggest solutions to Santa's problem or speculate on how the children will feel if there is nothing special under the tree in the morning because Santa is still stuck in the tree!

While our young ones are quite prepared to accept Christmas in its northern hemisphere guise of snow and ice, hot meals and stories around a blazing fire, and even Santa dressed in a warm furry suit (it does get cold at night despite the daytime temperature), stories that depict the Australian situation are always welcome and this one is one of the best - right up there with  All I Want for Christmas is Rain and Christmas Always Comes.

In the meantime, for you earworm pleasure... You're welcome. https://youtu.be/UhRL7xlDJIE?si=2-W8KbJcf6i3US_t

Themes: Santa Claus, Christmas.

Barbara Braxton