I’ve Seen Santa!

“My granddaughter and I smiled and enjoyed this story from the start to finish.”

— Rosa Cline, GoodReadsI’ve Seen Santa! by David Bedford, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2005)Good to Read for:some Christmas magicfeeling cosysharing a laugh with your kidsMy ex-wife and I never ‘did’ Santa with our kids. (We thought it might undermine the  true (and arguably equally far fetched)  Christmas story about the birth of Jesus.)

However, the boys didn’t miss out on any of the fun. Like most families, we still put out Christmas stockings for Father Christmas’s annual visit – except we played the game together (and shared the inside knowledge).

It’s ironic then that, over the years, I’ve illustrated a number of picture books featuring Santa (including a whole range (Shhh! et al by Julie Sykes) for Little Tiger Press. And yes, I did feel somewhat conflicted for perpetuating the myth!). Today I’m sharing my favourite of those: I’ve Seen Santa! By David Bedford (Little Tiger Press, 2005) described by Through The Looking Glass Reviews as ‘the perfect title to read on Christmas Eve when children are excited and are having a hard time settling down for the night.’

One of the joys of I’ve  Seen Santa! is that it captures the excitement of Christmas Eve. On the title page (before the written story even begins),  Mummy Bear is busy laying the table cloth while Big Bear and Little Bear unbox the decorations.

   

Eagle-eyed readers will notice a little grey mouse, peeping from a hole in the side of the cardboard box. Look closely, and you’ll find him hiding on each page. “I love how the illustrator incorporated a little mouse in each set of pictures,” writes Anna on GoodReads. “I love when artists put little secrets in their work. It was like a fun little secret game of "find the little mouse" while reading the story.”

 




 

It’s a device I’ve used a few times in my books (including that earlier series of Santa books by Julie Sykes). It engages curious kids – a little trick I learnt from Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go (Gold bug is fiendishly hard to find) and illustrator Andrew Cartwright (who hid a yellow rubber duck in his work for Usborne Books).

Here’s how the story begins:

 

It was Christmas Eve and Little Bear was looking forward to seeing Santa.

“Is Santa as big as you?” he asked Big Bear.

“Nearly,” said Big Bear, proudly.

   

Bedford sets up the characters beautifully: From the off, Little Bear is excited and full of questions, which Big Bear answers with unswerving confidence! When asked if Santa will fit down their chimney, Big Bear replies, “Of course he will! “ Then goes outside and climbs into the chimney to demonstrate his authority.

 

CRASH!

“See?” said Big Bear from a cloud of soot.

“Santa will get in, no problem!”

 

Enter Mummy Bear, carrying a plate of mince pies and a glass of milk for Santa. She’s the practical one: “Santa won’t come if he sees this mess!”, she warns. Then she reassures Little Bear that Santa will come just as soon as he goes to sleep.

  [image error]  

But of course, Little Bear doesn’t want to go to sleep. It’s Christmas Eve  – he wants to see Santa! (Whatever was Mummy Bear thinking.)

Bedford ’s text is funny, clever and relatable for both adult and child. ‘[He] masterfully walks the fine line between a parent's vs. child's version of Christmas Eve, ‘ writes Lesley Dahlseng on Good Reads.

Little Bear listens as Mummy and Big Bear go to bed. And then…

 

GLUG,GLUG, GLUG, GLUG!

What was that noise?

Someone was downstairs!

Someone big was sitting in the fireplace.

“Yes!” whispered Little Bear. “It’s Santa! I’ve seen Santa!”

 

Instead, Little Bear finds Big Bear, caught red handed drinking the milk that’s been left out for Santa.

   

“I only wanted a sip,” said Big Bear, “before I go to sleep.” He took Little Bear’s hand. “Come on, Little Bear. Let’s go to bed.”

 

Little Bear dozes off, but is woken by a loud munching. Could it be Santa?

Nope! It’s Big Bear again!

 

“If Santa’s as greedy as you,” said Mummy Bear, coming downstairs,”he’ll be too big and he WILL get stuck in the chimney! Now go to bed and go to sleep – both of you!”

   

Now Little Bear is too worried to sleep in case Santa eats too many mince pies and gets stuck in the chimney! He wakes up Big Bear with a plan:

 

“Let’s keep watch to make sure [Santa’s] OK,” said Little Bear. “We can hide so he won’t see us.”

 

The next part still makes me smile! Big Bear and Little Bear are huddled up under a blanket (modeled on my son’s). From their hiding place beside the Christmas tree, they hear something. Someone is putting presents into their stockings on the mantle piece. “It must be Santa this time!” whispers Little Bear. ‘Big Bear turned on his torch to see…’

A well-timed page turn in a picture book is a beautiful thing. And this is a favourite of mine as it has such an element of surprise…

Because it’s the straight-laced Mummy Bear’s turn to get caught red-handed.

 

“What are YOU doing?” said Big Bear.

“I’m giving you both a present from me,” said Mummy Bear. “Just in case Santa is a tiny bit late. ...”

   

Well played, Mummy Bear! 

(It’s a close-call that many parents will chuckle at. And as Publishers Weekly commented, ‘[a]dults may welcome this gentle explanation of Santa's parental "helpers.”’

But importantly, it doesn’t spoil the magic, and Little Bear is unphased.) 

Mummy Bear then skillfully deflects the attention onto the others and asks, “What are YOU doing?”

 

“We’re not going to bed,” said Big Bear.

“We’re going to see Santa!” squealed Little Bear.

Mummy Bear laughed.

“Make room for me then,” she said. “We’ll ALL see Santa.”

 

And so the three bears snuggle up to keep Santa Watch throughout the night. But of course, they all fall fast asleep.

“I loved this sweet and silly tale,” writes Melki on GoodReads. “Tim Warnes’ beautiful artwork makes this one special, and made me add an extra star to my rating.”  It’s 16 years since I illustrated I’ve Seen Santa! and I have to say, I am still pleased with my work. I was careful to add small details (for example, the multitude of lanterns, the patched blankets and threadbare rug) which would collectively create a warm, cosy atmosphere and build on the excitement of Bedford’s text. Overall, I agree with Melki’s review, which continues:

A terrific tale to read to your own little cubs in anticipation of the big event. - Melki, GoodReads.

Finally,  children are rewarded with the much anticipated, magical Christmas moment. 

Santa arrives at the bears’ home! 

With his work done (the stockings bulge with presents – there’s even a tiny present beside the sleping mouse!), Santa sits down to enjoy what’s left of his mince pies and milk. 

While the bears, none the wiser, sleep on…

   STORIES WORTH SHARING: I’ve Seen Santa! by David Bedford, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2005)Good to Read for:some Christmas magicfeeling cosysharing a laugh with your kidsText excerpts © 2005 by David Bedford | Illustrations © 2005 by Tim WarnesGOOD TO READMagical picture books featuring Santa

I’ve Seen Santa! By David Bedford, ill. by Tim Warnes

Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs

Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present by John Burningham

Toot and Puddle: I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Holly Hobbie

A Message for Santa by Hiawyn Oram, ill. by Tony Ross

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson, ill. by Jane Chapman

BUY THE BOOK

Powered by Bookshop.org

Supporting independent bookshops

   

“One of my toddler's favorite holiday books.”

- Lindsey, GoodReads

“The perfect title to read on Christmas Eve when children are excited and [have] a hard time settling down for the night.”

– Through The Looking Glass Children’s Book Reviews buy UK buy US * I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFFRELATED ARTICLESSOURCES I’ve Seen Santa (GoodReads) I’ve Seen Santa (Publisher’s Weekly) I’ve Seen Santa (Marya Jansen-Gruber, Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews)© 2021 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE.