The Runaway Santa: A Christmas Adventure Story

by Anne Margaret Lewis, Aaron Zenz (Illustrator)

Overview

Once there was a jolly Santa who wanted to leave the North Pole on a worldwide vacation! He decides he wants to visit Mount Rushmore and see the stone faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Then he’ll ski the silky slopes of the Swiss Alps. And after that, he’ll ride an elephant in South Africa on a safari. Santa is eager for a new adventure, but Mrs. Claus isn’t so sure he’s ready just yet. Before he takes off, she’s going to make sure he’s got his rock climbing gear. And his skis, and his hat. He must be ready!

It isn’t long before Santa realizes that maybe his adventure would be more fun with a friend. Mrs. Claus is clearly an expert adventurer herself, and so the two take off together on a runaway adventure. They have a little time before Christmas, after all, and everybody needs a break sometimes!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781634505895
Publisher:	Sky Pony
Publication date:	11/03/2015
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Aaron Zenz works as an illustrator, graphic designer, multimedia designer, toy designer, graphic recorder, college instructor, fine artist, and author. He currently resides in Spring Lake, Michigan.

Editorial Reviews

2015-08-12
Santa Claus wants to explore the world, so he sets off on a series of adventurous trips, with a lot of assistance from Mrs. Claus. When Santa announces his solo trip, Mrs. Claus sweetly suggests a key item for each of his adventures, explaining why he will need that equipment and ending with the repeated phrase, "for you are my jolly Santa," echoing Margaret Wise Brown's The Runaway Bunny. In each far-flung location, Santa uses the item his wife suggested, climbing Mount Rushmore, skiing in the Swiss Alps, and touring China, Italy, South Africa, Australia, and the Amazon rain forest. In each location, Mrs. Claus can be spotted in the background, hiding. Is she watching over Santa? Wistfully wishing she could participate in these adventures as an equal partner in the marriage? Finally, Santa thinks to ask Mrs. Claus if she might want to join him on a trip, an invitation she accepts with a smile. The wife who stays at home enabling her husband's adventures out in the world is a stereotype that is well past its expiration date, as is the stereotype of the clueless man who is rescued by the smart, unacknowledged woman. Rudimentary cartoon-style illustrations show a jolly, physically active Santa and a petite, quiet Mrs. Claus holding out Santa's equipment, valetlike, for his convenience. Send this Santa back to the North Pole, and let Mrs. Claus run away on her own vacation. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews