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Dear Santasaurus
It's January 1, but Ernest B. Spinosaurus is already dreaming of the present Santasaurus will hopefully bring him next Christmas. This means, of course, that Ernest will have to stay on Santasaurus's "nice" list all . . . year . . . long. But how will Santasaurus know? By Ernest's letters! This hilarious story is told entirely through the seventeen letters that Ernest writes to Santasaurus, detailing the whopping 257 nice acts (and the mere 256 naughty acts) he racks up through the year. Santasaurus even sends a letter in reply! Fresh and funny, this countdown to Christmas is a journey through the year that readers will want to take over and over again.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Stacy McAnulty
76 books569 followersStacy McAnulty is a children’s book author, who used to be a mechanical engineer, who’s also qualified to be a paleontologist (NOT REALLY), a correspondent for The Daily Show (why not), and a Green Bay Packer coach (totally!). She is the 2017 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Recipient for Excellent Ed, illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach. Her other picture books include Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years, illustrated by David Litchfield; Brave and Beautiful, both illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff; Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He’s the Favorite, illustrated by Edward Hemingway; and 101 Reasons Why I’m Not Taking a Bath, illustrated by Joy Ang. She’s also authored the chapter book series Goldie Blox, based on the award-winning toys, and The Dino Files. Her debut middle grade novel, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, will publish in 2018. When not writing, Stacy likes to listen to NPR, bake triple-chocolate cupcakes, and eat triple-chocolate cupcakes. Originally from upstate NY, she now lives in Kernersville, NC with her 3 kids, 2 dogs, and 1 husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 12, 2017
My fourth grader seemed a little more interested than my first grader - it runs a bit long. Cute though.
December 21, 2014
Put simply, Dear Santasaurus is wonderful. The story is told through a series of letters written by a young dinosaur, Ernest B Spinosaurus, to Santasaurus, the dinosaur equivalent of Santa. Ernest is a very engaging character and his efforts to stay on Santa’s Nice List really made me chuckle. This clever, inventive story with its vibrant illustrations, will delight children and adults alike. It would make a perfect present, not just for Christmas but for any time in the year.
October 29, 2013
I would read this to older kids 1-3. long and funny.
November 20, 2017
Dear Santasaurus tells the story of a dinosaur named Ernest. He writes letters throughout the year to Santasaurus to tell him about all the naughty and nice things he has done. He writes him on every holiday. For Valentine's Day Ernest sends Santasaurus a card and tells him he didn't think putting a fake spider in his mom's box of chocolates would scare her so much. For Thanksgiving he writes a letter listing the things he is grateful for, like only having 1 sister. The year progresses and more letters are written. When it gets closer to Christmas Ernest writes to tell Santasaurus what he wants for Christmas and to remind him that he has done more nice things then bad. Was Ernest good enough to get the gift he wanted?
This book has an interesting format to tell the story. The author choose to use letters to create a timeline and tell the story. The font used in the letters is meant to make it look like it was possibly hand written. The illustrations in the book are colorful and have a child like look to them. The letters do an excellent job supporting the pictures. It explains the images as well as add new content that is not featured. The book is on the longer side, which could make it harder to keep the reader's attention. The story uses fictional creatures to create a realistic storyline. Children will relate to the story because most of know what it feels like to anxiously await Christmas time.
This book has an interesting format to tell the story. The author choose to use letters to create a timeline and tell the story. The font used in the letters is meant to make it look like it was possibly hand written. The illustrations in the book are colorful and have a child like look to them. The letters do an excellent job supporting the pictures. It explains the images as well as add new content that is not featured. The book is on the longer side, which could make it harder to keep the reader's attention. The story uses fictional creatures to create a realistic storyline. Children will relate to the story because most of know what it feels like to anxiously await Christmas time.
December 7, 2013
Ernest B Spinosaurus isn't wasting any time telling Santasaurus what he wants for Christmas: he writes his first letter to Santasaurus on the first of January and continues to write throughout the year. And he's determined to stay on Santasaurus' Nice List! Through Ernest's letters, at once hopeful and cheeky, we get to know this young dinosaur, about his friend Ty, his little sister Amber, and his desire for a Jurassic Turbo Scooter X9. He wants to stay on Santasaurus' "nice" list, and keeps up a steady stream of letters partly to explain away his naughtiness.
Ernest may be a dinosaur, but really he's a typical young boy that children (and their parents) will be able to relate to easily. Coupled with Jef Kaminsky's cartoon-like illustrations, this book reminded me a lot of children's television shows. Granted, the ones I've started letting my two-year-old watch (yes, it's come to that, there's only so long you can hold out!) are predominately British and a mix of fancy 3D CGI and old-style animation a la Peppa Pig, but they all tend to have one thing in common: using animals (like pigs or bees) or mythological creatures (like fairies or elves) or fictional characters (like robots or aliens) to make everyday stories more interesting, as well as to show a universality to human stories. Children's books are, likewise, often used to help dispel the classic "us vs. them" dichotomy that seems to rise in children instinctually, and I do find the books to be less obvious than the TV shows (and I have zero guilt in letting my child read books!).
Dear Santasaurus is a sweet, funny and very entertaining book, a picture book for older children. It was too long and too advanced for my boy, who doesn't really remember his first two Christmas' and is only just getting his head around the typical Christmas symbols: Santa etc. The concept of naughty and nice, or of writing to Santa, these are a bit too abstract for him yet. The story itself has lovely context jokes where the illustrations play off the text - and vice versa - in really fun ways, but likewise my boy is too young yet to get any of the humour, or even really understand the situations or what Ernest is really saying in his letters. It's one I will have to wait a couple more years before getting out again to read to him, which isn't a bad thing. If your child is five or older, they will get a lot out of this.
Here's a taste:
The illustrations are bold, colourful and lively, and don't simply echo the text but rather show another side to the story, a kind of "what really happened" side to it. They're fresh and fun and really help with the whole book's festive, exciting, cheerful vibe. And what was really nice, especially for a Christmas picture book, was the fact that there was no in-your-face, saccharine moral at the end. Ernest got the Christmas present he wanted, and was really really happy. The point of the story isn't about good deeds and impressing on kids any kind of pressure to be something they're not; it's about kids being kids, and enjoying their childhood, and striving and trying without weighty repercussions or negative consequences. You could read this as "Santasaurus" standing in for God, but not being religious I didn't read it that way (but you could). Children reading this will be able to enjoy it for the entertaining story it is, while also seeing a bigger picture. It's a story that makes an impression, but isn't heavy-handed or lecturing or do-goody. Know what I mean? Kids don't respond well to that anyway.
Children will connect well with Ernest, who is proud of himself for taking a bath without being told, and who does harmless pranks. They will enjoy reading about a year in Ernest's life, and getting to know him. And if anything, it will teach kids that it's okay to play, that you should try to be good and helpful and considerate, but if you mess up nothing bad's going to happen. Your life won't be - shouldn't be, if you have decent parents - ruined. (Sadly, not every child has the freedom to be a child that Ernest does.) Being a child is about learning, in more ways than one, and I've never thought that placing adult responsibilities - with adult repercussions and punishments - on children is at all useful, or teaches them anything but to be scared and anxious or that they're bad and that's that. At first glance, Dear Santasaurus is pure silly fun, but at its heart it's good, solid storytelling that, if nothing else, will secretly reassure kids that there's nothing wrong with being a kid.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book.
Visit my blog to see Stacy McAnulty's guest post as she shares her "12 days of Christmas in picture books" and a cookie recipe!
Ernest may be a dinosaur, but really he's a typical young boy that children (and their parents) will be able to relate to easily. Coupled with Jef Kaminsky's cartoon-like illustrations, this book reminded me a lot of children's television shows. Granted, the ones I've started letting my two-year-old watch (yes, it's come to that, there's only so long you can hold out!) are predominately British and a mix of fancy 3D CGI and old-style animation a la Peppa Pig, but they all tend to have one thing in common: using animals (like pigs or bees) or mythological creatures (like fairies or elves) or fictional characters (like robots or aliens) to make everyday stories more interesting, as well as to show a universality to human stories. Children's books are, likewise, often used to help dispel the classic "us vs. them" dichotomy that seems to rise in children instinctually, and I do find the books to be less obvious than the TV shows (and I have zero guilt in letting my child read books!).
Dear Santasaurus is a sweet, funny and very entertaining book, a picture book for older children. It was too long and too advanced for my boy, who doesn't really remember his first two Christmas' and is only just getting his head around the typical Christmas symbols: Santa etc. The concept of naughty and nice, or of writing to Santa, these are a bit too abstract for him yet. The story itself has lovely context jokes where the illustrations play off the text - and vice versa - in really fun ways, but likewise my boy is too young yet to get any of the humour, or even really understand the situations or what Ernest is really saying in his letters. It's one I will have to wait a couple more years before getting out again to read to him, which isn't a bad thing. If your child is five or older, they will get a lot out of this.
Here's a taste:
April 1
Dear Santasaurus,
For Christmas, I want rainbow underwear with white polka dots. Seven hundred pairs of underwear. And Ty wants a thousand pairs of socks. That's it. No toys. No scooter.
Your friend,
Ernest B Spinosaurus
PS: Just kidding. APRIL FOOL'S DAY!! Ha ha ha.
April 2
Dear Santasaurus,
Yesterday's letter was a joke. You knew that, right? I do NOT want seven hundred pairs of underwear for Christmas. I don't want any underwear. I want the Jurassic Turbo Scooter X(.
Please, please, please do not bring me any underwear.
Your friend,
Ernest B Spinosaurus
PS: Ty doesn't want socks, either.
May 13
Dear Santasaurus,
Today, I scored two soccer goals (one for my team, one for the other team). I ate all my dinner (except for what dropped on the floor). I even helped Amber take her first steps. So let's forget about yesterday's mess with the glitter glue, paint, and Dad's toothbrush. Besides, Mom sure did like the Mother's Day card I made with my own claws.
I've been thinking about my Christmas list. I want the Sea Serpent Blue Jurassic Turbo Scooter X9. I also want a Raging Raptor action figure.
Please.
Your friend,
Ernest B Spinosaurus
The illustrations are bold, colourful and lively, and don't simply echo the text but rather show another side to the story, a kind of "what really happened" side to it. They're fresh and fun and really help with the whole book's festive, exciting, cheerful vibe. And what was really nice, especially for a Christmas picture book, was the fact that there was no in-your-face, saccharine moral at the end. Ernest got the Christmas present he wanted, and was really really happy. The point of the story isn't about good deeds and impressing on kids any kind of pressure to be something they're not; it's about kids being kids, and enjoying their childhood, and striving and trying without weighty repercussions or negative consequences. You could read this as "Santasaurus" standing in for God, but not being religious I didn't read it that way (but you could). Children reading this will be able to enjoy it for the entertaining story it is, while also seeing a bigger picture. It's a story that makes an impression, but isn't heavy-handed or lecturing or do-goody. Know what I mean? Kids don't respond well to that anyway.
Children will connect well with Ernest, who is proud of himself for taking a bath without being told, and who does harmless pranks. They will enjoy reading about a year in Ernest's life, and getting to know him. And if anything, it will teach kids that it's okay to play, that you should try to be good and helpful and considerate, but if you mess up nothing bad's going to happen. Your life won't be - shouldn't be, if you have decent parents - ruined. (Sadly, not every child has the freedom to be a child that Ernest does.) Being a child is about learning, in more ways than one, and I've never thought that placing adult responsibilities - with adult repercussions and punishments - on children is at all useful, or teaches them anything but to be scared and anxious or that they're bad and that's that. At first glance, Dear Santasaurus is pure silly fun, but at its heart it's good, solid storytelling that, if nothing else, will secretly reassure kids that there's nothing wrong with being a kid.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book.
Visit my blog to see Stacy McAnulty's guest post as she shares her "12 days of Christmas in picture books" and a cookie recipe!
August 15, 2017
Dear Santasaurus by Stacy McAnulty is unlike any dinosaur book – or santa book – you’re likely to read.
Dear Santasaurus is a funny story about Ernest B. Spinosaurus, a young dinosaur who starts early in the year writing letters to Santasaurus. In fact, January 1 his first note is a thank you for his Christmas present – even though he already broke it. Every month he writes to Santasaurus, sometimes twice, and more in December just so he can try to be on the nice list.
The notes also serve as his wish list which changes and grows throughout the year. In March, what starts out as a scooter, by April has increased to a Jurassic Turbo Scooter x9. In May is it a sea serpent blue Jurassic Turbo Scooter x9 and a raging raptor action figure. In June, it is now a Jurassic Turbo Scooter x9 with a working headlight, and never mind the raging raptor action figure – he now wants tar pit goo. Amusingly for the reader, Ernest B. Spinosaurus’s request gets more elaborate almost every month, and the bold creative illustrations by Jef Kaminsky add to the humour.
On Christmas Eve Ernest leaves a note for Santasaurus, just to remind him of the long list of features he wants his scooter to have. The description is so detailed (and changed) it’s quite funny.
The illustrations by Jef Kaminsky are very well-suited to the story, as Ernest B. Spinosaurus tries to do more nice things than naughty ones – a hard task for a mischievous young dinosaur to accomplish. Children will love the antics Ernest gets up to, and his attempts to convince Santasaurus he had good reasons for everything.
Children are sure to enjoy Dear Santasaurus by Stacy McAnulty. It’s a fun story for adults to read to them, too.
Dear Santasaurus is a funny story about Ernest B. Spinosaurus, a young dinosaur who starts early in the year writing letters to Santasaurus. In fact, January 1 his first note is a thank you for his Christmas present – even though he already broke it. Every month he writes to Santasaurus, sometimes twice, and more in December just so he can try to be on the nice list.
The notes also serve as his wish list which changes and grows throughout the year. In March, what starts out as a scooter, by April has increased to a Jurassic Turbo Scooter x9. In May is it a sea serpent blue Jurassic Turbo Scooter x9 and a raging raptor action figure. In June, it is now a Jurassic Turbo Scooter x9 with a working headlight, and never mind the raging raptor action figure – he now wants tar pit goo. Amusingly for the reader, Ernest B. Spinosaurus’s request gets more elaborate almost every month, and the bold creative illustrations by Jef Kaminsky add to the humour.
On Christmas Eve Ernest leaves a note for Santasaurus, just to remind him of the long list of features he wants his scooter to have. The description is so detailed (and changed) it’s quite funny.
The illustrations by Jef Kaminsky are very well-suited to the story, as Ernest B. Spinosaurus tries to do more nice things than naughty ones – a hard task for a mischievous young dinosaur to accomplish. Children will love the antics Ernest gets up to, and his attempts to convince Santasaurus he had good reasons for everything.
Children are sure to enjoy Dear Santasaurus by Stacy McAnulty. It’s a fun story for adults to read to them, too.
May 19, 2023
This picture book has CUTE written all over it: Shallow and fun and above all, CUTE.
Sure, I'll give it FIVE STARS for the sake of letting the CUTE lead the wannabe CUTE. And I'll shelve it under "Humor" although I didn't find it the least bit endearing or funny.
FOR THINKING ADULTS...
FOR ADULTS WHO AIM FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO GROW UP BETTER THAN "FORMERLY CUTE"
Might I suggest? Steer clear of this popularity-seeking junk food for the soul. Here's a typical CUTE quote from one of the "Ernest" letters to Santa:
"P.S. And I'm really, really sorry about using Amber's art project as a napkin. That was a big oops on my part."
Insincere apology really does not count as CUTE in my book. Nor as funny.
But in this picture book? Quite different, to some readers at least.
Sure, I'll give it FIVE STARS for the sake of letting the CUTE lead the wannabe CUTE. And I'll shelve it under "Humor" although I didn't find it the least bit endearing or funny.
FOR THINKING ADULTS...
FOR ADULTS WHO AIM FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO GROW UP BETTER THAN "FORMERLY CUTE"
Might I suggest? Steer clear of this popularity-seeking junk food for the soul. Here's a typical CUTE quote from one of the "Ernest" letters to Santa:
"P.S. And I'm really, really sorry about using Amber's art project as a napkin. That was a big oops on my part."
Insincere apology really does not count as CUTE in my book. Nor as funny.
But in this picture book? Quite different, to some readers at least.
September 15, 2017
Dear Santasaurus is a perfect winter holiday read or perfect for a bedtime story as Christmas is approaching. Often times when children are talking to Santa in books it is merely being narrated, but the interesting point of view in this story was directly from the child's letters. When reading this book with a child it will be very relatable for them because most children believe in Santa and the naught or nice list. The illustrations in this book were very cute and kid friendly and it didn't seem as if they were overpowering the words on the pages. This book will definitely be added to my future classroom collection.
November 24, 2017
As the older sister of a younger brother with very vivid memories of Christmases past (not to mention just day-to-day boy behavior), this book could not possibly have rung more true. Every. Single. Part. Because of that, I think it's just a touch possible that parents & caregivers will get the biggest laughs out of this collection of letters from a dinosaur to Santasaurus providing behavioral updates (& excuses) throughout the year along with ever-changing specifics about the present he wants the most - but kids will adore it, too. Especially because it's about dinosaurs. Who doesn't love a good, relatable dinosaur story?
November 3, 2018
Ernest B. Spinosaurus sends a monthly letter to Santa keeping up the communication about what he wants for Christmas (it changes frequently) and why he should still be on the nice list even though he put a fake spider in Mom’s chocolate box on Valentine’s Day and scared Granny by shouting “Meteor shower!” By the end of the year, he clearly shows, in a graph, that he has had more nice moments than naughty ones.
Kids will love this one.
Kids will love this one.
August 15, 2018
This little dinosaur is sure to write to santasaurus everyday throughout the whole year. He includes a little bit of the good and a little bit of the bad, but he feels his niceness outweighs the badness. My son thought the book was very funny, especially because he wanted this scooter but kept changing his mind of the color or the style or what it included. Very cute story.
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November 13, 2019Dear Santasaurus is about Earnest B. Spinosaurus and his adventures throughout the year. He writes to Santasaurus about being both bad and good trying his hardest to stay on the nice list for Christmas. Earnest try to constantly convince Santasaurus how good he has been. This book has great illustrations and can be used for a great cause and effect lesson.
November 30, 2018
Eh, I'm always a little bugged by the "get me this for Christmas" attitude of some kids in Christmas stories. Another "here are my antics of the entire year" book told in letters. It had it's funny moments.
December 21, 2023
I was hesitant to read this one after seeing the format is a series of letters. They can run long, and it's hard to keep kids' attention. But my 5 yo enjoyed it and even asked to read it again the next day.
September 25, 2018
Too long for very young children but funny!
December 27, 2018
Utterly adorable! Filled with truthful (if slightly biased) letters to Santasaurus. Too fun.
Read
January 6, 2020Very cute
December 17, 2022
Maddie enjoyed this one and I laughed out loud a few times.
December 2, 2014
This Christmas tale centers around a dinosaur named Ernest B. Spinosaurus and is targeted for children aged five through ten. Throughout the year Ernest writes letters to Santasaurus expressing in great detail exactly the kind of scooter he wants for Christmas. He apologizes for not always remaining on the nice list. Scaring the little dinosaurs at the beach, tying his sister's tail in knots and putting muddy socks in the refrigerator are among the reasons his naughty list is almost as long as his nice list. Ernest writes seventeen letters in all to make sure Santa does not forget one detail. Will Santa forgive him and bring him that scooter anyway?
The book is filled with zany humor and cartoon-like illustrations. Young children, especially dinosaur lovers, will enjoy his foibles. After all, no child is perfect, right?
The book is filled with zany humor and cartoon-like illustrations. Young children, especially dinosaur lovers, will enjoy his foibles. After all, no child is perfect, right?
June 26, 2014
Ernest wants to stay on Santasaurus’ Nice List so he can get a scooter for Christmas. Every few weeks he writes Santasaurus a letter to tell him about all the nice things he’s done—and to ask for the scooter again. My children and I found the letters hilarious. We loved reading about Ernest’s many attempts to be good and caring, all the while upgrading his request in each letter for a bigger and better scooter. We also loved that the main characters were dinosaurs. The author did a super job of bringing the letters around full circle from the very first one that was written to the final letter Ernest sent to thank Santasaurus. It was a clever and enjoyable read that I’m sure will become a seasonal favorite!
January 28, 2016
Dear Santasaurus won the 2014 IRA ward for primary fiction. I's structured around a series of letters throughout the year to Santasaurus from a young dinosaur trying to stay on the nice list. The letters are all in friendly letter format and would be great models for students attempting that format. They also are good letters to discuss in terms of their persuasive value. Kiminsky's cartoon illustrations capture the humor of the young dinosaur trying to find the balance between naughty and nice. Lots of ways to use the book in the classroom if the Xmas context is appropriate for the students with whom you work.
November 26, 2016
Ernest B. Spinosaurus writes a new Christmas letter to Santasaurus every month with all of the nice things that he has done (and he apologizes for the bad things) in order to get a scooter (which keeps getting more descriptive and changing each time he writes) for Christmas.
The illustrations are very colorful and kids will laugh at some of the crazy things that he has done over the course of the year and they will wonder right up until the very end if he really will get the scooter he has been wanting.
The illustrations are very colorful and kids will laugh at some of the crazy things that he has done over the course of the year and they will wonder right up until the very end if he really will get the scooter he has been wanting.
January 18, 2014
Ernestwrites a series of letters to Santasaurus beginning with a thank you note for the previous years' gifts. The bulk of the letters are a plea to be on the NICE list as well as explanations for his misteps plus asking for the Juassic Turbo Scooter X9 which morphs into the X10 by the end of the year. The situations are funny and mostly realistic for the age level. The use of dinosaurs will add to the appeal. The cartoon-like illustrations are busy but definitely add to the fun.
March 6, 2015
Dear Santasaurus is a unique and clever picture book. The characters are surprisingly well developed and I felt I really got to know Ernest B. Spinosaurus and his little sister, Amber. With vibrant, humorous illustrations, the story is told through a series of letters Ernest sends to Santasaurus. There is so much to this book, that as soon as I came to the last page, I read it through again. A wonderfully entertaining book for Christmas or any time of year.
November 20, 2013
I just received this book as a gift from my Children's grandmother and it was a pleasant surprise for all. It's not easy to find a book that can entertain 4 kids ages 3-8, while also including their favorite holiday and a prehistoric cast of characters! A blast from start to finish. I can't wait to see more by this author.
September 30, 2014
I love the humor of DEAR SANTASAURUS. Told in letters from a misbehaving young dinosaur to Santa, the story unfolds through a year of Ernest B. Spinosaurus's adventures and ever-changing Christmas gift requests. Ernest is a delightful character and the charming illustrations are sure to please young readers.
September 12, 2014
Stacy McAnulty's humor will delight kids but is witty enough for tired Grinch-like grownups to appreciate as well. Kaminsky's droll illustrations add to the fun. The perfect gift for your child to find under the tree (or a great pre-Christmas gift to keep your kid working hard to stay on Santa's nice list for months before the big day).
October 20, 2015
This book was adorable. Dinosaur like child is writing to Santa every month and sometimes a few times a month about being on the nice list and fessing up when he's done something wrong in order to get what he really wants for Christmas that year, even though it changes from one month to the next. My son really enjoyed the pictures.
Cute story.
Cute story.
January 14, 2017
I love this funny story told in letter format. Ernest B. Spinosaurus has a bit in common with David Shannon's character David. He wants to be good but has a difficult time being good all the time. Despite his indiscretions, Ernest is hopeful he'll remain on Santasaurus's Nice List and knows exactly what he wants for Christmas. . . at least at that moment.
March 15, 2014
This is a super fun way to teach writing a letter at Christmas time! It also ties in to the progression of time and distinguishing between days, months, and years. Kids really do think about holidays, birthdays, and special events at least a year in advance! Cheers to the fun theme!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews