#BookReview - Santa's Secret

Santa's Secret

By: Denise Brennan-Nelson
Illustrated by: Deborah Melmon
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Publication Date: August 2019
ISBN: 978-1534110380
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: Ausgust 24, 2019

Christmas is coming and everybody is excited. When the family climbs into the car and heads downtown to celebrate, the young protagonist of the story notices that there’s more than one Santa. It will require a bit of investigative work to discover the truth...

Mom, Dad, Grandma and the young star of Santa’s Secret (we never learn her name) are in the city to enjoy all that the Christmas season has to offer. They watch a holiday parade and our protagonist is happy to see Santa riding in his sleigh. But when she is later walking along the sidewalk, she’s startled to see Santa again, this time raising money for a charity. But she instantly knows that this Santa is not the same – he’s wearing the same outfit, but the face isn’t the same. And then at “Santa’s Station,” where children get to tell Santa what they want, she sees the jolly man again and notices that this is yet another Santa. What is going on? It’s time to put on the detective hat and get to work.

His beard was as white as fresh-fallen snow.
And his belly jiggled with each “Ho, Ho, Ho!”
I had questions for Santa. I would see what he knew –
About reindeer and elves and the rest of the crew.
I got out my notebook. I would crack this case wide!
From a good detective, the truth cannot hide.

Santa’s Secret is an adorable book and one that helps answer the question that undoubtedly so many children have asked – which Santa is the real one? Told in an easily flowing rhyme that keeps the story moving, the tale is fun and will draw youngsters in as they want to solve the mystery too. The illustrations, by Deborah Melmon, and playful and bright and mesh perfectly with the story. And parents, no need to worry – the solution the author comes up with is one that will keep everybody happy.

Quill says: Don’t wait until Christmas to buy this book! Get it now and help your little ones solve Santa’s Secret!