Santa Knows

by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Greg Leitich Smith

Who knows if you've been naughty or nice? Santa knows, that's who! But not everyone believes in Santa Claus. Bah, humbug. Consider Alfie F. Snorklepuss. He thinks he's proven that Santa Claus doesn't exist. Alfie thinks there is no way that Santa could do all the things he's supposed to, like deliver billions of presents all over the world in one night or know what every little kid wants. When Alfie starts spreading the word that there is no Santa Claus, he makes someone very his little sister Noelle. And so Noelle turns to the only person who can help her. The one person Alfie thinks doesn't Santa Claus. Ho, ho, ho! In this sweet and funny picture book from husband-wife team Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, with illustrations by Steve Björkman, Alfie gets an attitude adjustment, North Pole-style, from Santa and his elves, and Noelle gets exactly what she wanted for a nicer big brother.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Family

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2006

About the author

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author and anthologist of more than 20 books for young readers. She was named a 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Candidate, the NSK Neustadt Laureate, Texas Literary Hall of Fame inductee, and winner of the Southern Miss Medallion for Outstanding Contributions in Children’s Literature. Cynthia has also been named to deliver the 2026 ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture. She is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and served as the Katherine Paterson Inaugural Chair for the children’s-YA writing MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Cynthia is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in Texas.

Reviews

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfie Snorklepuss does NOT believe in Santa and he's out to convince the world that he's right. His little sister, Noelle, does believe and asks Santa to make her big brother nicer. Christmas Eve, Santa does show up at the Snorklepuss house and gives Alfie the experience of a lifetime.

Very nice illustrations.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun story that is fantastic for a child who may be doubting the reality of Santa Claus. Alfie proves without a doubt that there's no way Santa could exist, until he actually meets him one Christmas Eve.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure how to take books where a kid figures out the truth and somehow is wrong, tbh. It was funny enough for the girls though.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids liked the character in this story as the name of the main character is just a funny name. They thought it was funny that Alfie sounds like Elf. The book is really great and really talks about how we should treat others. Because Santa always knows when we have been good or bad. The illustrations in this book are really colorful and really show the feelings each characters have. I recommend checking this book out.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alfie doesn't believe in Santa. He does research to prove Santa doesn't exist. But then Santa shows up and proves him wrong.
This would be a great book for preschool storytime but is probably too long for my toddler group. Still, a good title to keep in mind. Would foster great discussion about being naughty or nice.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little involved for my preschoolers, this one would be great for the young elementary school crowd! Alfie F. Snorklepuss, who doesn't believe in Santa because science tells him it's impossible, learns a lesson about family, love, and the magic of Christmas.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off this book is overly long. What happens in a family with multiple children where one believes in Santa and the other doesn’t? Well Santa knows. The idea is there, I’m just not a fan of the execution.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought for a moment this story was going to ruin Christmas. Remember that for some the existence of Santa 🎅 is very real and they don’t question it at all. This book may present a question when there was not previously:

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the story goes. I enjoy how he goes from not being happy to being happy. In one one or another without giving it all away.

[Sana · Rating 4 out of 5]

عينا شبيه كارتون polar express بود. عينااااا

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfie F. Snorklepuss is really a sour puss. He has decided Santa is not real, and is doing everything he can to convince the whole world. He is writing letters, making billboards, going on the TV and radio to proclaim his new found beliefs. But on Christmas Eve he has the biggest surprise of his life. The story by Greg and Cynthia is very funny and the illustrations by Steve Bjorkman bright, vibrant and very engaging.

[Tabatha Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story!

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is Santa real? If so, all I want is a nicer brother.