Santa Is Coming to Ohio

by Steve Smallman, Robert Dunn (Illustrator)

It's Christmas Eve, Have you been good? Santa's packed up all the presents and is headed your way! With the help of a certain red-nosed reindeer, Santa flies "Ho, ho ho!" laughs Santa. "Merry Christmas,Ohio!"

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Steve Smallman lives in Staffordshire with his wife, two dogs and two cats. He has four children and a grandchild. Steve has been illustrating children’s books for almost 30 years and writing his own stories for slightly less. He also teaches illustration workshops in schools, including mural-painting. Steve is the author of Smelly Peter the Great Pea Eater (Winner of the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2009) and The Lamb Who Came for Dinner (Shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award and read by Meatloaf on CITV's Bookaboo). When he’s not working, Steve enjoys films, television, gardening and walking in the countryside.

Steve Smallman on Steve Smallman:

I started working as an illustrator when I was in my final year at Art College and now, over 28 years later I still haven't got a proper job! I've illustrated literally hundreds of books, predominantly in educational publishing. A few years ago I was main illustrator for Longman's 'Story Street' reading scheme, illustrating 79 titles and writing 5.

I've worked in children's television, specifically in character development and most notably in the 'Raggy Doll' series in the mid to late 1980's. I have also done a certain amount of licensed work, illustrating characters such as Postman Pat, Bill and Ben and Sesame Street.

I've been described as an 'Animal Artist', not I hasten to add because I'm wild and hairy but because I love to draw animals and especially like to give them human characteristics.

I've been writing children's books for about 6 years and have already had several picture books published with more in development.

I've got 4 great children and although they're all adults now, my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually I don’t like modern versions of Santa stories, but I loved this one with the traditional elements and the current day app called Santa.nav. I liked the young reindeer who comes to the rescue in the midst of a snowstorm. Yes, this featured some illustrations of Ohio landmarks but the story focused on Santa delivering the presents. Illustrations were a little modern twist on the traditional and were very appealing and appropriate. I enjoyed this title.
And yes this is part of a series of Santa coming to many of the various states of the USA.

[Jennie Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern tale of Santa delivering packages with a navigation device and a novice reindeer in the lead. Children learn of different cities in the state and points of interest in the state capitol, Columbus, with lively, colorful illustrations of urban and residential settings. This is a fun twist on the traditional story of the jolly North Pole elf, bringing a sleigh full of presents with magical reindeer.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the illustrations of Ohio landmarks but wish there were more.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book about Santa's adventure to Ohio on Christmas Eve! I loved it especially since I live in Ohio! Highly Recommend It!

[Meredith]

Neat but I wanted even more Ohio details.

[Amy Hesterman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book were beautiful and accurately highlighted a child's perspective on both the mystery and excitement of Christmas. The story fell flat to me and seemed like one I could have guided my students to write in a creative writing assignment. If shared during story time, my students wouldn't be aware of all the important stopping points Santa made on his journey through Ohio. But those stops would certainly be sentimental to the adult reader.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a native Ohioan, I loved this book! It was great how he incorporated local landmarks, such as the LaVeque Tower, into the story line and not just as background objects. It was also cute how Santa was trying to use his GPS to find central Ohio in the fog but the reindeer were the ones to steer him right :)

[Michelle Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up last Christmas at Barnes and Noble on a whim while getting some Christmas presents and I am SO glad that I did. This was a really neat book that mentions a lot of different places. Even my boys will randomly to pick this out to read months later. It is definitely something I would recommend and maybe even get a couple extra copies for presents next year.

[Kari Huddleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and even had youngstown in the story!

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Santa comes to Ohio. Mentions different cities, places, buildings of Ohio.