About this item
Grade 1-3–When a cynical boy named Stevie appears on national television denouncing that Santa is a fake, he is swooped up by the jolly old gent and given a grand tour of his operations, including Santa Industries (headquartered in Cleveland), where they "track worldwide naughtiness," and the North Pole. After witnessing the high-tech tools that allow Santa to shrink and to travel backward and forward in time, Stevie finally can't help but believe what his eyes tell him. Even more amazing is when Santa demonstrates true magic by knowing (without being told) exactly what the eight-year-old has been hoping for. Kids who have grown out of warm-and-fuzzy Christmas books will enjoy this wisecracking approach to the holiday. The cartoon artwork is loaded with funny, if not hugely imaginative, details.
About the Author
James Solheim wasn't born writing, but he started soon after he learned the difference between a pencil and his big toe. His early scribbles in mustard on the walls led to highly original books like THE ONLY ALEX ADDLESTON IN ALL THESE MOUNTAINS and IT'S DISGUSTING--AND WE ATE IT.
At age eight, Solheim began keeping his childhood writings in a special box. He says, "I lost the first book I ever made. It was a drama-packed thriller full of action-packed snowman building. Losing that book meant I had to keep my writings somewhere other than on the floor under a dusty pile of comic books and discarded bubble gum wrappers."
No wonder Solheim grew up to write of a world where newborns are flamboyant authors, and dogs preside over international writing clubs. Go to SingREADplay.com to print out a secret decoder like the one in THE ONLY ALEX ADDLESTON IN ALL THESE MOUNTAINS, a book about secret codes, fireflies, and best friends forever.
James Solheim gives inspiring talks at schools and conferences across America (and performs Norwegian folk dance in his jammies when he's supposed to be in bed) . Contact him at jim@jamessolheim.com.
