Santa's Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas

by Hisako Aoki

Discover the true meaning of the holidays as Santa Claus retells the story of the first Christmas in this sweet picture book from Hisako Aoki and Ivan Gantschev.

When Santa Claus tells the forest animals that he is not looking forward to delivering all those heavy packages, they are worried that there won’t be a Christmas anymore. To help everyone understand that Christmas would still come even if he didn’t, Santa tells the story of the first Christmas, and they all learn a good lesson about the meaning of this special holiday.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Animals, Religion

28 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1982

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was cute, especially the illustrations.

[Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very nice Christmas story for children.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS. I could really appreciate the artwork and effort here, but ultimately just not my style and seemed a little too forced at trying to fit in the "message."

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santa’s favorite story is the ultimate story. It’s the reason for the season. We loved this book. ❤️

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going through old kids books, this is a nice little story.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last Christmas Eve, our church librarian, was visiting her daughter’s church and heard their children’s director read Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas by Hisako Aoki. She liked it so much that you can now find a copy in our library! In the book, Ivan Ganteschev’s beautiful water colors show Santa Claus telling a group of woodland animals his favorite story, the true story of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Santa says, “It’s my favorite story because it reminds me why we are so happy at this time of year. Love was the gift God gave to us on the first Christmas, and it still is, you know. And this love is far better than any presents I can deliver.” Check it out today to read together with your family!

(From my church's newsletter, December 2013)


* I must add one note to this that I refrained from including in the review that I was asked to write for the church. In this book, an angel tells the shepherds to "follow the star to his [Jesus's] stable." In the Bible, the angel told the shepherds where to go; the three kings/wise men followed the star. I'm not sure if this was poetic license or a mistake.

[jennyreadit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this book when my youngest was 10. However, it is still a story that can be shared with children. Santa tells the animals his favorite story; the birth of Christ and the real meaning of Christmas. Santa also explains that love is the best gift of all... One that is better than any present he can deliver. This is a good book to use as a way of explaining commercialism vs. Christmas....it doesn't send the message that Santa is bad, just not what Christmas is truly about.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Neither the art nor the story worked for me. Looking at the cover, I like the tree, the Santa, and the animals, but the stump behind Santa should have given me pause. (Doesn't it look like animal legs are protruding toward the sky?) As for the story, the combination of Santa and the birth of the Christ child isn't a comfortable fit.

I'm not keeping this book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations. The story and pictures jive well together and reflect the author's Japanese heritage. That's a bit of a stereotype, I know. There really is a calm, quiet, gentle feel to the book though.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad Santa's favorite story is all about Jesus!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Santa reminds the forest animals that he isn’t the most important person at Christmas time, that the Christ Child was born on this day.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a Christmas tradition when I was a child and now I'm starting it with my grandchildren.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple story with wonderful illustrations - this will go under the tree for one of the bairns this December.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Santa grew tired during a walk in the woods and stopped to take a nap. The woodland creatures saw him and thought Christmas was arriving early. As word spread through the forest, they excitedly gathered around sleeping Santa, waiting for him to wake up. When he did, he told them the story of the birth of Christ on the very first Christmas. After the story, the animals accompany Santa to the North Pole to help him get ready for Christmas. Santa teaches everyone about the best present of all.

This book is beautifully illustrated and the wide pages make it easy for everyone to see, as they snuggle up as a family. The birth of Christ is told from the perspective of the shepherds as they follow the Star of Bethlehem. Santa’s Favorite Story is a short, cute book to share with young-ones and remind them of how Christmas came to be.

Notes:
This review was written for Sasee Magazine and My Sister's Books.
This review was posted on the Ariesgrl Book Reviews website.

[Twinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, as I thought the concept of a cross-over Santa/Jesus story was an interesting idea. In this tale, Santa falls asleep in the forest while trying to get in shape for Christmas Eve (cute!) and is woken by some worried woodland animals who think Christmas may be in jeopardy. Santa calms their fears by telling them about the first ever Christmas.
The more I read this book the more I like it. Both the message and the illustrations are sweet and uncomplicated. It does a good job of linking the joy of Santa and presents with the traditional origins of Christmas.

“Santa was sure that he had the nicest time of all, though, because he remembered that the best present ever is Christmas itself.”

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was in my house and I pulled it out because I remembered reading it every Christmas with my parents. This book might be a little difficult to read in class because it is strictly about Christmas but it could be good if you taught at a private Catholic school, or even if you read this book as one of the many books you would read to your class about different types of religion, whatever you chose is fine but this book has very beautiful illustrations and beautiful writing as well. It also teaches children a very good lesson about Christmas and what some people believe and how that relates to them in their lives.
Good Read!

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, Santa tells us the true meaning of Christmas. It's a good way to introduce kids to both the secular concept of Santa as well as the religious meaning of the holiday. It doesn't explain about St. Nicholas, but the message that Christmas is about God and love instead of presents.

My Favorite Picture:
The sheep and shepherds at the manger in Bethlehem.

The style of these illustrations looks to be watercolor on a very familiar textured heavy-weight paper... Brings back memories. :)

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this little treasure after my own children were pretty much grown and gone; being a collector of children's books and also Christmas books, the fact that I wouldn't have anyone to read it to didn't deter me from picking it up and putting it on my Christmas shelf.

The gentle watercolors and lovely telling give a decidedly different feel to this story. It's kind of a sleeper and definitely one to be treasured.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

PB:22 Santa's Favorite Story. Simply one of the most touching stories about the true meaning of Christmas and the blessings we take for granted each day yet are still loved by our Savior. As a child, we think Christmas is mainly filled with gifts and presents yet there is so much more to it. I highly recommend reading this to children at an early age so they can understand Christmas in many better ways!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my daughter's favorite Christmas book. We read it every night. It's a sweet, simple little book where Santa explains that Christmas is not about him, but about the first Christmas when Jesus was born. I love that while it keeps the Santa mystery, Santa himself makes sure that the true reason for this season is known. Highly recommend for parents who want to do Santa with their kids without losing sight of Jesus.

[Naomi Bodway · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming children's book that finds Santa explaining that Christmas REALLY isn't all about him...and he shares with the animals of the forest the story of the birth of the Christ Child. I love to give this as a gift to children, in a humble attempt to keep Christ in the Christmas. Beautiful illustrations and a poignant simple story.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santa tells the story of Jesus' birth in this delightful Christmas story. This is another book my parents introduced me to in my youth. I was so delighted when I found it last year to add to our family Christmas collection.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always been enchanted with the idea of Santa having a deep love for the baby Jesus, and this story carries that theme. Santa gets to tell the story of the First Christmas to a small gathering of woodland animals.

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the few picture books I can think of with Santa Claus and Jesus TOGETHER. Lovely soft illustrations and a gentle manner overall. This will be a recommendation for those requests I get every holiday season for stories for young children with both S.C. and J.C. in them.

[Kathy Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet little story and the soft watercolor pictures are beautiful. I love that it have the true story of Christmas but it includes Santa too. This book has been out of print for quite awhile so you will have to look for it used or at a library. Totally worth hunting down.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite Christmas books ever. I read it every Christmas.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are hauntingly beautiful; a nice change from the usually bombastic, bright images associated with Santa and Christmas.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet and tender story! Did you know that Santa's favorite story is about the birth of Jesus?

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome combination of the Santa portion of Christmas that is celebrated by popular culture and the telling of the biblical Christmas story.