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Peter Claus and the Naughty List
Naughty or nice? Peter Claus thinks this yearly question is most unfair. As Santa’s son, he should know. For the second year in a row his name appears on the dreaded Naughty List. That means no presents for Christmas! But Peter doesn’t remember misbehaving—at least not enough to deserve such a harsh punishment. Taking the reins to Santa’s sleigh, Peter rounds up all the naughty children the world over. He wants Santa to hear their side. Maybe then Santa will see that not receiving gifts at Christmas isn’t the fairest way to deal with kids who do bad deeds. Peter’s not sure if his plans will work, but he does know a lot of boys and girls need his help if they have any chance of waking up to a merry Christmas.
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Hardcover edition.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 20, 2025
Santa's son, Peter, finds himself on the naughty list* for the second year in a row, which mean NO PRESENTS, and he decides to do something about it. What? He heads out in his father's sleigh to visit other children on the naughty list and find out the circumstances of the naughty behaviors and see if they might be able to straighten things out. Although Mama and Papa Claus were very worried about a missing Peter, his concern for others won their favor. Quirky examples and bizarre art, but a good moral.
More naughty acts than nice ones for the year get you on the naughty list.
More naughty acts than nice ones for the year get you on the naughty list.
December 17, 2020
Peter, Santa's son, finds himself on the naughty list for the second year in a row. He doesn't think it's fair that naughty kids don't get any presents, so he gathers all the kids from the naughty list and brings them to the North Pole. Santa and Mrs. Claus agree that if the kids apologize and do a good deed they can be taken off the naughty list.
A sweet book with folky illustrations about doing the right thing.
A sweet book with folky illustrations about doing the right thing.
November 28, 2014
Booklist starred (September 15, 2001 (Vol. 98, No. 2))
Ages 4-7. Peter Claus, son of Santa, has the unpleasant task of putting the names of children in lists labeled "naughty"or "nice."It's all a matter of numbers; if the bad acts outweigh the good, even by one, you're naughty. Peter has great pity for the naughty crowd (he's been on the list himself), so he decides to gather naughty children from around the world to plead their case to Santa. Santa does give them a break: if the children apologize and find a way to undo a bit of naughtiness, they can switch lists. When it's Peter's turn, Santa informs him that by bringing the children together, he has done the nicest thing of all. This is a delightful mix of message, moral, and merry holiday fun wrapped around a situation that plenty of kids can identify with. The sturdy, blocky artwork is distinctive, and Durand never misses an opportunity to inject humor. One montage shows errant children doing all sorts of mischievous things, including a boy who not only spills his milk but also floats his sailboat in it. The richness of detail in the art and the hope that bad actions can be wiped out will keep kids coming back for more readings.
Horn Book (Spring, 2002)
Santa's son, Peter, helps all the children on his father's "naughty list," including himself, find redemption through sincere apologies and acts of kindness. The pictures of the long-nosed, toothy-grinned characters are pleasingly offbeat, but the lengthy story is moralistic.
Publishers Weekly (September 24, 2001)
Santa's son, Peter, devises a plan to spring himself and all the other misbehavers from the dreaded naughty list in this humorous picture book from the creators of Beetle Boy. The text skates close to moralistic in places ("Saying you're sorry is what matters most"), but the delightfully skewed sensibility of the illustrations saves the day. Equal parts cartoon and folk art, Durand infuses the artwork with a puckish wit. Ages 6-up. (Oct.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
School Library Journal (October 1, 2001)
PreS-Gr 2-Santa has a hard and fast rule: if your naughty deeds total more than your nice ones, you get NO PRESENTS. His son, Peter, spending his second year on the naughty list, doesn't think this is fair. So, he hijacks the sleigh and reindeer and takes all of the naughty kids to the North Pole to plea their cases before Santa. The youngsters admit to unkind acts, say they are sorry, and offer to do something thoughtful for the injured parties. One by one, the names are eliminated from the list. Happy for the others, Peter wishes he could do something nice and Santa tells him that he has by helping the children and their families. This simple, humorous story goes straight to big childhood concerns-who keeps track of naughty and nice, how the present issue is decided, and if you are an OK kid even if you are naughty sometimes. Durand's witty primitive paintings are full of fun and detail with oddly shaped people and reindeer enjoying a satisfying Christmas in which there are only nice kids.-A. C. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Ages 4-7. Peter Claus, son of Santa, has the unpleasant task of putting the names of children in lists labeled "naughty"or "nice."It's all a matter of numbers; if the bad acts outweigh the good, even by one, you're naughty. Peter has great pity for the naughty crowd (he's been on the list himself), so he decides to gather naughty children from around the world to plead their case to Santa. Santa does give them a break: if the children apologize and find a way to undo a bit of naughtiness, they can switch lists. When it's Peter's turn, Santa informs him that by bringing the children together, he has done the nicest thing of all. This is a delightful mix of message, moral, and merry holiday fun wrapped around a situation that plenty of kids can identify with. The sturdy, blocky artwork is distinctive, and Durand never misses an opportunity to inject humor. One montage shows errant children doing all sorts of mischievous things, including a boy who not only spills his milk but also floats his sailboat in it. The richness of detail in the art and the hope that bad actions can be wiped out will keep kids coming back for more readings.
Horn Book (Spring, 2002)
Santa's son, Peter, helps all the children on his father's "naughty list," including himself, find redemption through sincere apologies and acts of kindness. The pictures of the long-nosed, toothy-grinned characters are pleasingly offbeat, but the lengthy story is moralistic.
Publishers Weekly (September 24, 2001)
Santa's son, Peter, devises a plan to spring himself and all the other misbehavers from the dreaded naughty list in this humorous picture book from the creators of Beetle Boy. The text skates close to moralistic in places ("Saying you're sorry is what matters most"), but the delightfully skewed sensibility of the illustrations saves the day. Equal parts cartoon and folk art, Durand infuses the artwork with a puckish wit. Ages 6-up. (Oct.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
School Library Journal (October 1, 2001)
PreS-Gr 2-Santa has a hard and fast rule: if your naughty deeds total more than your nice ones, you get NO PRESENTS. His son, Peter, spending his second year on the naughty list, doesn't think this is fair. So, he hijacks the sleigh and reindeer and takes all of the naughty kids to the North Pole to plea their cases before Santa. The youngsters admit to unkind acts, say they are sorry, and offer to do something thoughtful for the injured parties. One by one, the names are eliminated from the list. Happy for the others, Peter wishes he could do something nice and Santa tells him that he has by helping the children and their families. This simple, humorous story goes straight to big childhood concerns-who keeps track of naughty and nice, how the present issue is decided, and if you are an OK kid even if you are naughty sometimes. Durand's witty primitive paintings are full of fun and detail with oddly shaped people and reindeer enjoying a satisfying Christmas in which there are only nice kids.-A. C. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2013
Talk about tough love - could you imagine getting no presents if you were Santa's own child? Peter Claus needs to find a way to help those who have made it to the naughty list...including himself.
This is an entertaining story that looks at Santa in a new way; as a dad who is filling the role in a long line of Santas. He is raising his son to do the same, but is a stickler when it comes to the rules. The narrrative is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are very colorful and cartoonish. We enjoyed reading this book together.
This is an entertaining story that looks at Santa in a new way; as a dad who is filling the role in a long line of Santas. He is raising his son to do the same, but is a stickler when it comes to the rules. The narrrative is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are very colorful and cartoonish. We enjoyed reading this book together.
July 1, 2014
It was good but needs to be shorter.I thought the kid in the story was very lucky.ms claus did not live up to my expectations she looks lazy.I thought that santa claus needs to look more fancy because he looks homeless who has toys and stole a kid. I did not read this book but
January 16, 2016
Santa's own son Peter has been put on the naughty list for the second year in a row. He rallies other "naughty" kids and together they petition Santa for a chance to make good and get off the list.
Cute illustrations.
Cute illustrations.
December 26, 2008
I always try to add an interesting christmas book to the boys collection.
November 21, 2010
What, even Santa's kid can be naughty? This is a great story with fun illustrations. It may just get kids thinking about doing nice things...maybe.
December 23, 2010
REALLY GREAT!!! I love that Santa's son is on the naughty list, and I love even more that my girls know that Santa has a naughty list. :)
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December 16, 2011Great concept... I live Delphine Durand's artwork- I could tell it was her right away from the animal's noses.
December 20, 2011
Five stars for the cartoony pictures.
Three stars for the obvious plot.
Four stars for the sound psychological advice on parenting.
Three stars for the obvious plot.
Four stars for the sound psychological advice on parenting.
January 16, 2014
K's choice for story tonight. I am certain he would have given it four stars, because he has some sympathy for those on the naughty list.
December 18, 2016
This is a cute story that falls short due to its lack of humor and action. The long noses and thick necks in the illustrations detract from the colorful scenes and the story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews