Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Adventures in Cartooning: Christmas Special
Comic Picture Book
For ages 6 to 9
First Second, 2012 ISBN: 978-1596437302
It is a week before Christmas, and Santa Claus is feeling very out of sorts. He cannot understand why children no longer seem to be interested in hand made toys, board games, and puzzles. One of his elves explains that in this “digital age,” children like online games, videos, and music. Santa decides that what children need is a Christmas comic “That is the perfect holiday tonic.”
Thankfully, the Magical Cartooning Elf shows up and he promises to help Santa “create a great comic for one and for all.” The elf summons his friend, the brave knight, to help with the job. The knight is annoyed by the fact that Santa and the elf talk in rhyme, and she assures them that children “don’t like getting books as presents – and rhyming books are even WORSE!” Santa and the elf are not put off though, and the knight decides to help. Santa has done so much good for humankind, and it would be a shame not to help him.
After one false star, the knight comes up with a great Christmas comic. It has everything a good Christmas story needs. Now Santa can give the world’s children their very own comic book. Except there is a problem. Santa’s reindeer have been sent away and he has no way to deliver the comics.
Young people who like comics are going to love this clever story-within-a-story. Readers not only get to see how Santa tries to give children a comic book, but they are also invited to send Santa a comic of their own. After all, there is nothing that Santa likes better than to receive letters from the world’s children.
