Dear Santa: The Letters Of James B. Dobbins

by Bill Harley, R.W. Alley (Illustrator)

Dear Santa, Here is what I want for Christmas ...

From an aquarium (with a piranha), to earplugs for blocking out his little sister, to a full-size hockey rink, Jimmy wants a lot for Christmas. What Jimmy needs is a little Christmas spirit.

A hilarious series of letters to Santa follows Jimmy's experience one very special holiday season, from his first outrageous requests to a final Christmas Eve surprise.

Grammy-nominated singer and storyteller Bill Harley teams up with veteran illustrator R. W. Alley to create an endearing character, a wickedly funny book, and a wholly original celebration of the season!

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Writing

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

A two-time Grammy award-winning artist and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the RI Council for the Humanities, Bill uses song and story to paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life. His work spans the generation gap, reminds us of our common humanity and challenges us to be our very best selves. A prolific author and recording artist, Bill tours nationwide as an author, performing artist and keynote speaker.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you would like your child to be entertained while he/she learns a valuable lesson of What It Is All About, this is the book for you. To the naysayers who will hold up their hands in horror that this is a book about Santa, all I can say is that somehow, without your ever having read it, you've missed it. It is not a book about Santa; it is a book about the true, original, one-and-only Theme of Christmas!

[Colona Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute book about a boy writing Santa multiple letters before Christmas. He wants Santa to know that he has been good and to give him updates to his Christmas list. The illustrations were awesome.

[Canavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

✭✭✭

[Shannon Bradbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute, fun and humorous read about a little boy who writes letters to Santa leading up to Christmas. It is fun to see the progression in his list to everything he wants and how he’s tried to be good. At the end he realizes he really doesn’t need everything on his list. He is content with just a few things. A great read for elementary age students to understand contentment, kindness.

[Jeani · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO GOOD! I loved it. My daughter loved it. Very sweet.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous and clever. The style reminded me a bit of Jack Prelutsky and other classic kids' authors.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is a favorite for a slightly older audience at storytime, but it does not disappoint! ❤

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the form of letters from the main character to Santa, this book was super cute.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, and very sweet. My kids loved it.

[Amy Holliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comments on the Story:
The story is great. Most little kids that I know of can really relate to what this little boy is going through. They are very worried that every instance they get into trouble for before Christmas could have serious ramifications for whether or not they make it onto the naughty list. It was very creative to think of writing a story as a continuation of a child’s letters to Santa throughout the holiday season!!!

Recommended Uses for the Book:
I think that this book could be ready in a story hour before Christmas with a bit older crowd (3-5). The pictures are easy to see and a great extension would be for the kids to write their own letters to Santa after the story was read. This would also be a great book to read at home. This book will defiantly get kids fired up and wondering whether Jimmy is going to get his skating rink or not.

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. James "Jimmy" Dobbins starts out asking Santa for all sorts of things. He's nice because he has to be, he tries to excuse his bad behavior as not quite his fault, and he's generally your average small child around Christmas. But things start to change. Jimmy discovers that being nice for the sake of being nice makes everyone feel good, himself included. He discovers the joy of giving someone a present they really like, and how good it feels to be appreciated by someone. And, finally, he discovers that Christmas isn't about getting everything you want. It's about connecting with those around you and seeing happiness, inside and out.

[Hannah Grosse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this fun compilation of letters that Jimmy writes to Santa Claus in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas. He seems to have many things he wants, and a sister who is driving him insane. I like how he tries so hard to be nice to his sister, and that he mentions that in pretty much every one of his first several letters. I also like the fact that he has a change of heart, and that he admits that being good all the time is really hard. There are a handful of good truths in this book, hidden in with the humor and the childish excuses. I like it!

[JaNeal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book that explores the psyche of a child awaiting gifts from Santa. Oh the tension of staying on the good list and being a normal child! The subtle humor brings this simple theme to life! Bill Harley's biggest contribution to story is as a professional storyteller on stage. In this book he pulls off a great story with words alone (and Alley's delightful illustrations, of course).

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I loved this book. It mirrors how their sense of fairness, "the sky is the limit" wishing for things, awareness and behavior evolve throughout the Christmas season. Lots of visual cues are in the illustrations (notice the lack of snow in the backyard where they want to build an ice rink, and the turkey on the table at the start of the season) provide context for new readers. It is fun to read and sends a great message on the end.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

James B. Dobbins is the new Dennis the Menace-cute, sweet, but always an impending disaster. Bill Harley and R. W. Alley have created a heartwarming book filled with the James B. Dobbins' letters to Santa and his adventures. Over the month of December as James writes letters to Santa, his dreams grow in magnitude and number...but James figures out the meaning of Christmas just in time. A really delightful tale that I highly recommend.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book of letters a boy writes to Santa explaining his behavior and also recommending gifts for himself and others. Great book to pair with letter-writing activities.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the "letters to Santa" format of this book, as well as the story that the letters told.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read 5 Christmas books for kids just for fun. No need to mention all of them. They were no Charlie Brown.

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A darling book for your family Christmas collection.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

may have just become my current favorite Christmas book

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

James writes continous letters to Santa to add to his list of presents, to declare he is being nice to his sister, and explain situations where he does not look like he is behaving.