The Real Santa

by Nancy Redd, Charnelle Pinkney Barlow (Illustrator)

Join one Black family on their journey to discover what the real Santa looks like in this joyous tale celebrating identity, family and holiday cheer, from the New York Times bestselling author of Bedtime Bonnet.

It's not Christmas without Santa! But what does Santa truly look like? Does he match the figurines on the mantel, or the faces on our favorite
holiday sweaters? Does he look like you or like me?

Find out in this joyous and cozy celebration of family, representation, and holiday spirit! Destined to be a new classic, and perfect for any child looking to see some of themself in Santa Claus.

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

32 pages, Library Binding

First published November 9, 2021

About the author

Nancy Redd is an award-winning on-air host, a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, a two-time Mom's Choice Award winner, an NAACP Image Award nominee for outstanding literary work, and a GLAAD Media Award nominee for outstanding digital journalism. She is also the author of BEDTIME BONNET. Called "the perfect combination of style and substance" by Essence magazine, Nancy holds an honors degree in women's studies from Harvard University. THE REAL SANTA was inspired by Nancy's family's own beloved Christmas traditions. Find Nancy online at www.nancyredd.com.

Fun Facts:

*15 years ago, I appeared on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? with Regis Philbin and won $250,000. This would be my first time tripping on national television.
*I also went on Let's Make a Deal and only won $100, but connected with Wayne afterward and collaborated on an adorable, if unpublished, parenting project together.
*Right after graduating from Harvard, I became Miss Virginia and won the swimsuit competition at Miss America. This would be my second time tripping on national television.
*I ate my placenta and wrote about it for The New York Times in a piece virally heralded as the "NYT Headline of the Century."

There's lots more, but this is already too long, so reach out if you want to know more about me!

Reviews

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book about a boy who is obsessed with the figurines of Santa displayed around his home during the holidays. The family has a pretty unique collection of Black Santas of all shapes, sizes, and styles. But he wonders if the real Santa resembles the ones on the shelves.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Black boy just loves Christmas, and especially all the brown-faced Santas that are around his home - on the tree, on the gift wrap, even on his sweater. Every year, his family visits Grandma and Grandpa on Christmas Eve, where there's a special present for him and his younger sister this time - a jolly brown-faced Santa complete with list of names including theirs. After some photos and a snack, he asks his Daddy which one in their collection of Santa's looks like the real Santa. As they set out a plate of cookies and glass of milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer, all the adults agree that no one has ever seen the real Santa. No one? Well, this young boy has a great idea. After everyone's asleep, his plan is to sneak downstairs with the brand camera he just received from his parents, and stay awake until Santa's arrival, then to quickly snap a photo. But as the night wears on, sleep overtakes his best intentions. Will this curious young boy ever see what the real Santa looks like? As he is carried off to bed, he wakes up just enough to see that Santa looks just like him. This is such a sweet, gentle, heartwarming story about a happy family celebrating Christmas together. The illustrations are red, white, and green Christmasy, and the book is just a delight to read. My young readers loved it, particularly seeing Santas that look more like them that the usual white Santa.

[Ellice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even five years after the height of racial consciousness that came with the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests, there aren't enough Black Santas out there. This book aims to change that, showing how for one Black child, "Santa looks just like me." A positive tale of representation without being preachy or heavy-handed.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like so many other youngsters, the narrator, a young Black boy, is excited as Christmas Day approaches. As his grandparents arrive for the festivities and give his little sister and him a Santa figure to join the others on the mantle, he wonders what the real Santa looks like. Determined to capture Santa on film when he arrives with the family's presents, the boy takes his new camera, a Christmas Eve present, downstairs after everyone else has gone to bed. Although he does his best to stay awake, he falls asleep and awakens only after Santa has placed the presents under the tree. He's too sleepy to make much sense of what he's seeing, but Santa puts him back in his bed and heads off on the rest of his rounds. The boy is content because Santa looks just like him. The illustrations, created with watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, pastels, and digital elements, capture the love shared among these family members and the narrator's excitement about this special time of the year. One of the illustrations shows the father reading aloud a bedtime story which just happens to be the previous book by this particular author. The need to have evidence that Santa looks a lot like ourselves as well as having some of our same attributes is powerful and evident in this warm picture book, perfect for sharing with little ones and older ones to capture some of the magic of the times.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dozens of Santas dance around my dreams. Which one could the real Santa be?”

It’s not Christmas without Santa! But what does Santa truly look like? Does he match the figurines on the mantel, or the faces on our favorite holiday sweaters? Does he look like you or like me? In this joyous and cozy celebration of family, representation, and holiday spirit, a young boy seeks to discover if the real Santa looks like him.

My daughter loved this story but I doubt she thought twice about what Santa looks like in this household🤣🎅🏾. I remember when my little cousin saw a picture of a Black Santa Clause and refused to believe that he was the “real” Santa. Honestly, it was hilarious because we know Santa isn’t real to begin with but this is still an example of why representation matters. Santa can look however we imagine but it’s hard for children to imagine something they’ve never seen. Books like this can help change that. The illustrations are colorful, festive and heartwarming and showcase a loving relationship in a multigenerational family. Guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. Highly recommend!🎅🏾🎄🤶🏾

[Sip then Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s Set the Mood Right Quick:

The Real Santa by Nancy Redd

Drink: Hot Chocolate

Music: Jingle Bells by Gracie’s Corner Christmas Remix

Audiobook: Torian Brackett: Torian was an awesome narrator. He was super enthusiastic and the animation in his voiced truly brought the story to life along with the music. The audiobook is a must.

The Real Santa: If, “I knew it. I knew it,” was a book it would be The Real Santa. Self-representation is so important for kids. There’s nothing like being able to see yourself and those you love in books. This story was much appreciated.

The Real Santa was an adorable read. We enjoyed Nancy Redd’s take on waiting up for Santa. It was so heartwarming to see the little traditions through a child’s eyes. This story just gave us the warm and fuzzies from beginning to end. We’ll definitely be sharing this story with all of our families and friends. We highly recommend for all the young ones out there.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations of a Black American family in this story are very sweet and endearing. Depicting a family that has gathered to celebrate the Christmas holiday together. Through the illustrations you see the family eating together, in one picture the grandfather is braiding his granddaughter's hair, decorating the tree, and doing other family activities. The main character questions what the real Santa looks like after seeing several depictions of Santa on pictures, commercials, at the mail, etc. At the end of the story, through the main character, you find out just what Santa looks like indeed. Verdict - sure to be a family Christmas time favorite, a must-have addition for people looking to increase the diversity in their libraries and collections for preschoolers and young children.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute book about a little boy who’s family loves Santa and Christmas. It’s Christmas Eve and the house is full of decorations, including lots and lots of Santas. All of the Santas are Black just like the boy’s family.

My 3.5 year old and I had fun finding all of the Santas on each page - they aren’t exactly “hidden” but there are a couple on each page that are or are not referenced in the text. The illustrations are very warm, comforting, and cozy. The text is simple as the boy wonders what the real Santa looks like. It ends with the sleepy boy seeing Santa (or perhaps father or grandpa dressed like Santa? Up to the reader to guess) and being happy Santa looks like him, a very sweet moment that brought surprise tears to my eyes.

More Black Santa books (and wrapping paper, ornaments, fabric, pajamas…) please!

[Debra]

Christmas is HAPPENING at at this house as the whole family gets into the motion of the holiday. It is a joy to see the connectivity of this multiple generation family and how they celebrate this tradition.
First they find the list and check to see if their names are on the list.
Second, they love to show each other where all the faces of Santa appear in their home.
Third, The family
And then the cameras will come out and memories will be caught. And tonight Grandpa and Grandmom will spend Christmas Eve together at their house. Will any one get to sleep tonight.

The debate after seeing all these different Santas iswho is the real one.
Little sister is planning of staying awake and capturing Santa with her camera.

A warm family tale with love at its base.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children’s Books through the Fall Day of Dialogue.
Lovely story about a young boy's love of Santa and the joy of Christmas. Redd story captures this family's love for each other in both text and illustrations. Readers become part of the celebration as they watch this family prepare for Santa's arrival. The young boy narrates this tale and shares the same question so many children have - What does the real Santa look like? The touching ending also offers a glimpse into so many hearts as he discovers that Santa looks just like him.
Sweet story for a family to share together during the holiday season.

[Sue H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy absolutely adores Santa, and it seems like his whole family does as well. There are images of Santa everywhere around him at Christmas! What he is trying to figure out throughout this book is what the real Santa actually looks like. The story is filled with so much childhood joy it is hard not to smile. It is beautiful to watch the whole family engaged in creating these holiday memories and being involved in the magic. I really appreciated all the details in the illustrations that remind us of real-life celebrations. An adorable and joyful book for little ones that can work well at home or in the classroom.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Christmas, and one of his favorite traditions is the Santa figure his grandparents bring on Christmas Eve. This year it's a Santa with a list, and yes, his name is on the list. When it's time for bed, the boy wonders which is the real Santa? So, he tries to stay up all night to get a picture.

The sweetest illustrations - everyone in their matching pajamas. I loved the nod to Redd's "Bedtime Bonnet" as the family reads that a story together. A great Christmas book about Christmas traditions. and finding Santa.

Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Erin Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids love reading about holiday traditions and peeking inside other families’ traditions, cultures, and celebrations. They loved the excitement of Christmas found in this book and although they may not have understood the importance and significance of Santa looking like the main character, I absolutely loved it. This is a fantastic addition to any Christmas collection and a great reminder of the significance and importance of diversity not just in books but in our Christmas holiday as a whole.

[Dayanara Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about an African-American family who has many different santas in their home and they all have a darker complexion, just like the children in the family. The book shows the family's tradition for Christmas and in the end, the child sees that santa looks just like him. This is a very powerful message because there aren't many stories where santa claus is black. This can be used in the classroom to teach children that santa can look just like them, he shouldn't always have to be portrayed as a white man.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Christmas Eve and a young Black boy, looking at his family's collection of Santa figures, wonders "which one of our Santas looks like the real Santa?" This is a lovely picture book with cozy illustrations, especially the page when he discovers Santa looks just like him. Add this to your list of heartwarming Christmas picture books.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy tries to stay up and see Santa, but he falls asleep. Someone in the classic red suit carries him back to bed, and he's able to see that Santa looks like him. I love the idea of Santa's magic changing how he looks for each child.

[Lupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book as an addition to your school library collection or as a gift to the children in your life. The main idea is that the REAL SANTA resembles your family because he is derived from love.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 4 out of 5]

An average storyline of a child wanting to wait up and see Santa and what he looks like. However, the representation of a Black Santa is phenomenal and much needed in Christmas books.

Notes: Black joy, Christmas, Black Santa

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new Christmas story featuring a black family who is celebrating the season together. The little boy wonders about Santa and hopes to catch him on Christmas Eve. Cozy and colorful illustrations throughout. Highly recommended for Grades K-3.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet Christmas story about a boy who tries to stay up late to catch Santa.
The illustrations spotlight the warmth and love the family members have for one another as well as the holiday.
It would be a great family bedtime story.

[Elizabeth]

I love the look on the little girl's face on the last page!

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Cute Christmas book!

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

warm and fuzzy and good things to think about.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family traditions, a mild obsession with Santa objects, and a Christmas Eve where the boy couldn't quite stay up late enough.

[Erin]

Fantastic. A nice reminder that we don't actually know what Santa looks like, and that we can exercise our imaginations to make him into whatever image most captures our heart.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story a lot. I didn't really care for the illustrations.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It has a great story and great illustrations! So glad this book was made. We need more books about Black Santas!

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the Santas in their house ARE Black, so there's not really a conflict here. Yes, the one at the end looks like his dad, but...

[Carrie Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Representation matters! Black Santa. 🧡

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet ending.