Secrets from the North Pole: Discover the magic of Christmas

by Saskia Gwinn, Daria Danilova (Illustrator)

Overview

Christmas has been wrapped in secrecy for centuries, but it is finally time to tell you what really happens in the countdown to the big day. Join Ivy Everjingle, Santa’s Head Elf, as she tells you the most magical mysteries of the North Pole in this ultimate festive treasury full of secrets that even grown-ups don’t know.

The pages of this special book will take you to every corner of the North Pole—stopping off at the workshop to see how the toys are made, visiting the reindeers in their paddock, and seeing the post office where all your letters come in. It will reveal the science behind reindeer flight, show you just how Santa’s suit is designed, uncover all the curious jobs of the Christmas elves, and even let you in on some elf magic.

So wrap up warm, drink a sip of your cocoa, and take your seat in the sleigh . . . it’s time to take a trip to the North Pole and see what it really takes to make Christmas happen.  

This is the ultimate festive compendium to capture the magic of Christmas, perfect for families to enjoy together in the run up to the big day and spark joy at the most magical time of the year.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781836005742
Publisher:	Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Publication date:	10/07/2025
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	10.70(w) x 12.25(h) x 0.47(d)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Saskia Gwinn has spent nearly 20 years carefully crafting beautiful books to inspire kids of all ages. She has worked as Head of Children’s Non-fiction for Bloomsbury Publishing, as Editorial Director for A&C Black and as Editor for educational publishers and magazines. She has written and published award-winning books for every age and on every topic from how time began to the silliest things in the world today. Saskia lives in Hertfordshire, uk, with her two boys who hope dinosaurs will one day revisit Earth but, in the meantime, tells them that everything on the planet has an equally exciting story to tell.

Daria Danilova is an illustrator, visual artist, and graphic designer. She divides her time between running her own stationery shop and illustrating for clients around the world. Daria loves creating warm scenes with muted color palettes, inspired by slow living and all things nostalgic.

Editorial Reviews

"Gwinn carefully threads original exposition, well-known bits of folklore, and facts to create a playfully authoritative narrative about the place that powers Christmas around the globe."

—Publishers Weekly

"Detail-oriented kids wild about Christmas will enjoy this peek into North Pole goings-on."

—Kirkus Reviews

"Excelling in engagement, design, and joyful reading experience, this festive title will delight young browsers and enrich collections seeking high-interest seasonal books."

—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

2025-08-16
Ivy Everjingle, head elf at the North Pole, gives young readers a peek at some of Santa’s secrets.

While Ivy is limited in what she can share by the Christmas Elves’ Vow of Everlasting Secrecy Act of 1821, this book has lots of tidbits for readers patient enough for the amount of detail Gwinn presents. From the fabric used in Santa’s suit and the names of the members of the second reindeer squad to famous elves and their deeds and the many jobs for North Pole elves, Ivy lays it all out in this book, which also includes a map of the North Pole and cutaway views of Santa’s house, the North Pole Post Office, and the toy workshop. Muted colors, fancy embellishments, and a scrapbook-like layout to many pages add an old-fashioned feel to Danilova’s illustrations. The elves and families celebrating Christmas are a diverse group, though Santa and Mrs. Claus are depicted with light skin. Various asides throughout promote conservation and protection of the Earth. This would pair nicely with “A Visit From St. Nicholas” and Stephen Krensky’s pair of books about Santa getting and then losing his job.

Detail-oriented kids wild about Christmas will enjoy this peek into North Pole goings-on.(Picture book. 5-10)

Kirkus Reviews