Santa ABC

 

Written and illustrated by George Fewster

Collins

978-1-443466059

26 pp.

Ages 3-7

October 2022 

Santa definitely has an important job but is that all that he's about? Does he do any other jobs? What does he feel?  In this playful board book, George Fewster takes children–though older readers will enjoy it just as much–through the ABCs of Santa in all his forms.

From Santa ABC by George Fewster

From an astronaut and barista, to Viking and zombie, George Fewster shows us a multitude of active and feeling Santas. Santa may be wearing an ninja outfit or dancing to disco or experiencing ennui and hanger–hunger and anger–but Santa is always still Santa, adorned in red with candy cane-striped props and spreading his "Ho Ho Ho" greeting.

From Santa ABC by George Fewster

Author-illustrator George Fewster takes Santa into the 21st century, engaging in contemporary activities and interests that many children will recognize, even if it's only through their families or teachers. And while they'll be learning the alphabet, the objective of this kind of concept book, they'll learn a few words and definitely smile at this talented Christmas character.

From Santa ABC by George Fewster

They'll especially smile at George Fewster's illustrations. His bold colours and clean lines will be much appreciated by young readers. Because of the unmistakable depictions–except for Ennui Santa–Santa ABC can become a guessing game, as well as an alphabet activity, a visual literacy lesson and more. Perhaps that's why, though Santa ABC is a concept book in board book format aimed at our youngest readers, it will be just as entertaining for older children. If you're a parent of a young child or a Kindergarten teacher or ECE, Santa ABC will definitely meet its goal of playful learning of the alphabet, especially with a favourite theme of Christmas and Santa. (George Fewster has a colouring page and word search based on the book at https://www.georgefewster.com/morestuff.) But, teachers of older students could benefit from using Santa ABC as a template for fun alphabet activities, with students creating their own alphabet books based on Santa or other characters, especially when challenged with coming up with a theme such as feelings, or sports, or history. The possibilities are endless, as George Fewster has demonstrated.

From Santa ABC by George Fewster

Whether your children are learning the alphabet or would love a lively romp through a menagerie of whimsical Santas, George Fewster's debut picture book will be a fun lead-in into the holiday season and lesson launcher for all.