Is That You, Santa Claus?
Delightful Stories About Old Saint Nick
by Iva-Marie Palmer
Santa Claus: We all know him as a jolly good fellow if there ever was one, but really, any true icon is open to interpretation. Whether you call him Santa, St. Nick, or Father Christmas, these holiday stories bring him to life in heartwarming, funny, and festive ways.
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I Am NOT Santa Claus!
Buy from:Can you tell if the man in this book is the real Santa Claus? He says he isn’t Santa, but several clues indicate otherwise. This hilarious Christmas romp features dry humor that will have kids giggling through every page leading up to the satisfying conclusion.
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Mr. Santa
Buy from:What would you do if you had one-on-one time with the big man himself? When a little girl comes face-to-face with Santa on Christmas Eve, she wastes no time asking every question she can think of. This adorable book is the perfect addition to every holiday collection!
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Santa's First Christmas
Buy from:After a night of delivering presents, Santa usually just grants himself an extra half-hour of sleep before resuming his duties. This year, to show their appreciation, the elves decide to surprise him with a festive celebration: they start with breakfast in bed, then cut down a splendid spruce, deck the North Pole with lights, and whip up some cookies for the jolly old man himself. Cute and cozy, this story is sure to become a Christmas classic.
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The Real Santa
Buy from:A young Black boy wonders if the real Santa looks like the Santa in pictures, commercials, and at the mall, or if Santa may look more like him. Can he stay up late enough to find out? Full of heart and holiday spirit, this cozy story is a joyous celebration of the season, identity, and representation.
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The Animals’ Santa
Buy from:The animals are excited for the arrival of Santa in this entertaining book by the beloved Jan Brett. As Christmas approaches, the forest creatures speculate on who the animals’ Santa is — could it be a moose, a badger, or a wolf? Little ones will love the big reveal at the end.
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It’s Not Easy Being Santa Claus
Buy from:Santa feels overwhelmed with his holiday to-do list and gets grumpier by the minute. To get out of his rut, Santa tries out some new roles, but none of them make him feel better. Before long, Santa realizes the only way to find peace and happiness during the holiday craze is by being himself.
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The Legend of the Christmas Witch
Buy from:A Christmas story unlike any other, The Legend of the Christmas Witch chronicles the life of Kris Kringle's long-lost twin sister, Kristtōrn. A powerful witch, Kristtōrn's tale will change everything you thought you knew about the holiday.
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Santa in the City
Buy from:Christmas is only two weeks away, and Deja is starting to get worried. With no chimney in her city apartment, how can Santa possibly find her? And with so many children in the world, will he have time to visit her? Thankfully, Deja’s family helps her to see the magic of Christmas all around her. This book is sure to be a family favorite for years to come.
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The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold
Buy from:The Santa story gets flipped in this beyond-clever read where, instead of the focus being on a kid waiting for Santa’s special visit, it’s on Santa who anticipates hearing from a favorite kid. Santa can’t believe Harold writes him such nice letters, leaves such great cookies — but what if Harold isn’t real? A great picture book for the season, this one especially resonates with kids who are at an age where they start to wonder if Old Saint Nick really exists.
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Little Santa
Buy from:Every hero needs an origin story and though there are other several tales of how Santa became Santa, Agee’s version is extra cute. Baby Santa loves the North Pole, but his family doesn’t. When his elders decide to move to sunny Florida, Little Santa is miserable, until a blizzard comes to the rescue. When little Santa goes up the chimney to seek help for his relatives, he meets none other than some reindeer and elves willing to help and … well, it would be a spoiler to go much further.
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Santa Retires
Buy from:This one might be a little worrisome at first for Christmas-loving kids … because in Santa Retires, Santa and Mrs. Claus are headed towards the tropics. After years of gift-making and delivering (that one big night takes a lot out of a guy!), Santa needs to call it quits. But, the existential question surfaces: Can Santa be jolly without Christmas?
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When Santa Was a Baby
Buy from:An adorable Santa origin story that the whole family will love! Even as a tiny tot, Santa did things his own way. He has an affinity for the cold, likes to give away his birthday presents, and has an odd obsession with chimneys. But what makes this book so special is seeing how proud Santa’s parents are of their child and how they love and support him just as he is.
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You might also like:
- Brand-New Children’s Books To Read This Christmas
- Christmas Books for Kids and Families
- Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays and Traditions
- The Reason for the Season: Books That Celebrate the Meaning of Christmas
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2025.