cover image The Santa Clauses

The Santa Clauses

Achim Broger. Dial Books, $11.95 (26pp) ISBN 978-0-8037-0266-0

When a newspaper prints a headline that says, ""There is no Santa Claus,'' everyone goes along it. The Santas (there are several, to take care of the whole world) see their dwindling piles of mail and hold a convention, declaring that they'll go on strikethey've always wanted a winter vacation. But a boy named Charlie, who doesn't believe the headline, finds out that the Santa Clauses are vacationing in Miami. He goes there, and tells them that he believes in them, so they leave their beach towels, sunglasses, sandcastles and exotic tropical drinks and go back on the job. This is the quintessential Santa Claus book, with all the comfort and joy of the holiday season. The text is droll, fast-paced and humorous, and the illustrations are a-flutter with action and witty, childlike detail. A treat for all ages, believers and non-, and even more fun than Miracle on 34th Street. (3-7)