Santa's Crash-Bang Christmas

by Steven Kroll, Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

A succession of annoyances causes Santa to wish he were at home rather than on his Christmas Eve journey.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1977

About the author

Stephen Kroll spoke at schools and conferences all over the world. He was married to the journalist, Kathleen Beckett, and they lived in New York City and an old carriage house in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. When he was not writing or traveling, he played a lot of tennis and walked around looking at everything.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Santa is having a very bad night in this hilarious holiday picture book from author Steven Kroll and illustrator Tomie dePaola. Falling out of the sleigh and bumping his nose, forgetting his handkerchief and nose drops, landing in the ashes of the Sylvesters' fireplace, and generally causing chaos in their home—it's a night when nothing goes right. When a stowaway polar bear emerges, it seems that is the last straw. Fortunately, Gerald the elf also stowed away, and has been busy putting everything to rights...

Published in 1977, Santa's Crash-Bang Christmas is a picture book I had never heard of, despite being familiar with the work of both author and illustrator. Then, in my hunt this year for holiday tales from dePaola, I discovered it and requested it from my local library. How glad I am that I did, as it was an entertaining romp of a tale, full of humor and ultimately, heart. I found myself chuckling in a few places, as I read, and appreciated the visuals, which have that trademark dePaola style, but also feel a little more muted and vintage (in a good way). I liked the contrast between the sepia and gray-toned backgrounds, and the red of Santa, the white of the polar bear, and the light tan of Gerald. Recommended to anyone looking for humorous Santa stories, or vintage picture books from one or both of these creators.

[Sarah Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kind of cute. But I don’t know what the point was aside from almost everything going wrong, but there was no real danger of getting caught. I guess if your kid likes Santa it gives from variety.

[Carolyn Jeziorski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read aloud. Santa is a total klutz and wreaks havoc on the Sylvester’s house. Somehow they sleep through the noise, and the house seems fine in the morning.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Santa's having a really bad, Murphy's Law kind of Christmas Eve. This is unusual, and kind of fun, though I wish the ending had been stronger.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite holiday picture books. On a rough Christmas Eve for Santa, he discovers that not only is everything going wrong but he has more than one stowaway with him. Great details in the Tomie Paola illustrations in this sweet little tongue in cheek book.
Featured on the No Extra Words podcast Special #21

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Christmas Eve but Santa's having "one of those days." Luckily, he has a stowaway elf to clean up after his bumbling visit to one house. Looks like it's going to be a LONG night! Illustrations by Tomie dePaola elevate this simple story to an easy breezy classic.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Santa finds a polar bear in his sack! This is a good enough, but not great, Christmas book.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's one of those days and Santa keeps banging into things. And how did a polar bear end up in his bag of toys? Ages 5-10.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't beat Steven Kroll, or Tomie DePaola. Nor can you bean my kid's laugh, which she did through this entire book.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read aloud.