Christmas is coming! Which means my home is in full holiday mode. The tree and lights are up, presents are wrapped, and I’m even baking some holiday goodies every few days. However for my son, this means he gets to pull out all his Christmas books! My little reader just loves books. He loves to just flip through the pages, pointing to pictures while “reading” to me. So I was pretty excited to learn about the family Christmas book, Santa’s Secret Deal!
Santa’s Secret Deal comes from the mind of Maryland’s own Joel D. Smith aka “Joel D.” On screen, he’s an Emmy Award winning news reporter for our local Baltimore’s Fox 45 news channel. He’s always had quite a love for telling stories and spinning tales. Santa’s Secret Deal actually comes from a funny tale he used to tell his younger brother when they were growing up. Now a father of two young children, Joel D. has turned that tale into a entertaining Christmas story that is sure to engage your child (and maybe teach them to pick up their toys!)
So what’s the story of Santa’s Secret Deal? It’s a tale of AnTas (short for Anastasia TasMerelda Claus), a little jealous elf, who just happens to also be Santa’s little sister! As she accompanies Santa on his journey, she decides to steal back the toys she has made, believing that children are mistreating the gifts. She also decides to steal anything Christmas related! That’s right… the lights, the tree, the cookies… gone! It takes quite a brave little boy to truly save Christmas. The story is quite interactive and I love that it gives parents the opportunity to talk to their children about responsibility. There is even a very special page at the end that assists in discussing responsibility with your kids or special little ones!
Though the book is geared for children ages 5 and up, my son had a blast “reading” it! The 30 pages of illustrations, created by Russell Maura, are quite vibrant with their bright colors. Both my son and I enjoyed the cartoons which reminded us almost of Disney animation! I’ve been reading the book to him a few nights recently and he just loves pointing to Santa. I can’t wait till he is older to full grasp the lesson in this tale and enjoy Santa’s Secret Deal as much as his older cousins have.
I’ve shared this book with several of my friends who have children older than my boy. The feedback was all positive! The book takes the traditional legend of Santa, which the kids love, but add in a new character for them to enjoy! The idea of having a sister (sibling) is something completely relatable and many of the kids liked that Santa has a little sister just like many of them. The parents have loved reminding the kids that AnTas might just take their toys if they don’t pick them up before heading to bed!
I’m super excited to add Santa’s Secret Deal to my family’s collection of Christmas books and stories. It will be so special to take it out every year during the holiday season and enjoy reading by the Christmas tree before the little ones head to bed.
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Buy It: Look for Santa’s Secret Deal at your local fine book retailer. The book is also available for purchase online or at Amazon. This book retails for $14.25.
I received a complimentary product(s) to facilitate this review from the sponsoring company. This is 100% my own honest opinion. No one has influenced me otherwise and I was not compensated financially. This review is solely based on my own experience with this product.
This looks like a great way to teach children, Also I don’t object to it like I would for a TV program.
I think reading of any kind is great for kids. This looks like an interesting book. My son is older but I think my young niece and nephew would enjoy a book like this.
This looks like a great idea!! And just look at the happy face!! :)
Great idea!! My children love Christmas books. P.S your little boy is precious!!
This sounds likes a great book. My daughter is to old for it but my niece & nephew would love it. Thank you.
Looks like a very cute story. Vivid pictures are great in children’s books and definitely help keep my 5 year old’s attention. :)
interesting concept!
I love this idea for kids, thanks for sharing, will have to look in to it!
Cute idea for the kiddos! Love holiday books and traditions!
That looks like a really cute book!
This would be a great addition to our Christmas books. We keep them with the decorations and only take them out for the holidays. :)
Really cute idea. I loved reading to my children when they were small.
I didn’t know Joel D. Smith was a writer. I am so used to seeing him on Fox 45. Wow. Thanks for sharing.
Very cute
What a cute book. Always fun to find some different Christmas stories. Love the classics, but still the new ones are great too.
This is a fun book- looks like it would be wonderful for kids of all ages!
What a cute book! I love all your pics they are very sweet.
That is just the cutest idea. Kids do like to find something relatable too!
This is such an adorable book! My kiddos would absolutely love it.
Very interesting and I’m looking for more items with children in mind. I do volunteer work with Women and their children shelters.
I think all three of my kids would love this!!
This is nice new Christmas story thanks for sharing as i have never seen this.