“In the old days, Santa didn’t have Christmas.” After a year of making toys and delivering them on Christmas Eve, Santa would awaken on Christmas morning and start in on the next year’s gifts. It wasn’t until a passing polar bear questioned Santa’s relentless schedule that the embarrassed elves decided it was past time for a change. This year, Santa’s Christmas day begins with breakfast in bed followed by picking out and decorating a tree, hanging stockings, and cookie baking. Initially surprised by the new routine, a genial Santa is soon fully engaged and must be sent to another room when caught putting his fingers in the cookie icing. When a bearded visitor wearing a red suit (the polar bear who started it all) delivers a sack of gifts, “Santa could tell who it was, but he didn’t say.” A sumptuous dinner and the North Pole village glowing with holiday lights round out the day of appreciation and celebration. Warm watercolor and gouache illustrations convey a homey atmosphere brimming with charming details and glowing with first sunlight and then candle flames as the day progresses into night and a new tradition is firmly ensconced.

Mac Barnett and Sydney Smith team up for an unforgettable celebration of Christmas.

We all know that Santa makes everyone’s dreams come true every Christmas, but it turns out that he needs a little help getting into the holiday spirit himself. Instead of letting Santa get right back to work after he returns home to the North Pole on Christmas morning, his loyal elves want to make sure he experiences the same Christmas cheer he provides for others. With the perfect tree, lots of delicious treats, and, of course, presents, Santa experiences the magic of Christmas for the very first time.

Beloved children’s book creators Mac Barnett and Sydney Smith have unveiled Santa unlike ever seen before, and as a result, created a merry new Christmas classic.