Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Dear Santa: The Letters of James B. Dobbins
Illustrator: R. W. Alley
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 7
HarperCollins, 2005 ISBN: 978-0066237787
James Dobbins is getting ready for Christmas. He has sent his gift list to Santa, but he keeps thinking of other things that he wants to tell Santa about. So, James writes more letters to Santa. He feels that it is necessary to point out how good he has been, and to make sure that Santa gives his gift list the serious attention that it warrants. James also makes sure that Santa fully understands some of the events that took place during the year. For example there was the time when James got ketchup all over his father. It cannot really be considered a wrong doing on James?s part because it was an "accident." Then there was that other accident when James forgot to turn off the tap in the bathroom sink.
Any child who has worried about their status on the Santa "good children" list will appreciate this book. Any grown-up who has had to live through "accidents" of various sorts involving water, melted crayons, stained clothes, and other such calamities, will find themselves smiling or perhaps even laughing as they read this book. With a new letter on almost every page and with wonderful pictures to accompany and illustrate the letters, this is a picture book that perfectly captures the feelings and thoughts of a child who is experiencing the days leading up to Christmas.
