Santa's Stormy Christmas Eve. David MacLennan, Illustrated by Cheryl Parkinson. Victoria, BC: Full Satchel Press, 2003. 32 pp., pbk., $10.95. ISBN 0-97319600-9. Subject Headings: Christmas stories, Canadian (English). Santa Claus-Juvenile fiction. Preschool-grade 1 / Ages 4-7. Review by Lorraine Douglas. * /4

excerpt:

Then in soft gently tone, with compassion shown,
the tall stranger with tenderness spoke;
"Well, my dear Santa Claus, whom we love without pause,
and a hero to all the young folk-
Let me first make it clear why I have come here,
to the cold and stormy North Pole;
It's from heaven above, with a heart full of love,
that I've come to help with your goal.

"I'm the Messenger Sent, an my mission is meant
to show you what we can achieve;
For in dreams we can fly, if we truly try,
and in miracles we all believe.
So, dear Santa and elves, let us gather ourselves
and into the storm we will go;
For the hour grows late, while the good children wait,
and time is a-wasting you know."

It's Christmas Eve, and there is a blizzard at the North Pole, and Santa is stuck and unable to deliver his gifts to children around the world. But then a mysterious stranger sent by heaven appears at Santa's door, and with His miraculous push the sleigh soars into the air and Santa is able to complete his annual journey.

     This slight story on the theme of faith and determination is told in rhyming verse. It is accompanied by bright full colour illustrations which have the look of naive hand coloured linocuts, but they have been done with mixed media and a resist technique. Although this book is attractively packaged, its message about the true meaning of Christmas may confuse young listeners. It starts out in the firmly secular realm of a Santa Claus story and then shifts to being a religious story about a miracle. Children will squirm as they listen to the awkward rhyming verses like

"Oh, so glum were the elves, putting toys on the shelves, saddened by their despicable plight"

     Although very well intentioned in attempting to bring a Christian message to children, this poem does not sparkle.

Not Recommended.

Lorraine Douglas, a writer and artist, lives in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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