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Santa in the City
A little girl's belief in Santa is restored in this ode to the magic of Christmas.
It's two weeks before Christmas, and Deja is worried that Santa might not be able to visit her--after all, as a city kid, she doesn't have a chimney for him to come down and none of the parking spots on her block could fit a sleigh, let alone eight reindeer! But with a little help from her family, community, and Santa himself, Deja discovers that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in her city.
It's two weeks before Christmas, and Deja is worried that Santa might not be able to visit her--after all, as a city kid, she doesn't have a chimney for him to come down and none of the parking spots on her block could fit a sleigh, let alone eight reindeer! But with a little help from her family, community, and Santa himself, Deja discovers that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in her city.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2021
2 people are currently reading
713 people want to read
About the author
Tiffany D. Jackson
24 books10.6k followersTiffany D. Jackson is the New York Times Bestselling author of YA novels including the Coretta Scott King — John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning Monday’s Not Coming, the NAACP Image Award-nominated Allegedly, Let Me Hear A Rhyme, and her 2020 title GROWN. She received her bachelor of arts in film from Howard University, her master of arts in media studies from the New School, and has over a decade in TV/Film experience. The Brooklyn native is a lover of naps, cookie dough, and beaches, currently residing in the borough she loves, most likely multitasking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
November 18, 2022
Deja wants to believe in Santa, but her friends give her some pretty good reasons to doubt. How does he get in with no chimney? Where does he park his sleigh? How will Santa find us? Can reindeer really fly? So many questions! With each one, an adult in Deja's life gently answers with a city modification. Loved the picture of the reindeer on the roof of the apartment building and Mr. Ortiz describing them to be like chickens, hopping from block to block. This book is the perfect addition to reading "The Night Before Christmas" if you ever wondered how Santa could adapt to the challenges of delivering gifts in the city.
June 24, 2025
Super cute children's book. Read it on Kindle. Thought it was going to be a short story. Had read a bunch of Jackson's other books, and they were all young adult. So I thought this was going to be a young adult book about Christmas. Turned out to be a children's book. It was quite cute. And I imagine a lot of kids have the same questions about Santa. Could be a great little book to share with your little ones who question Santa's logistical abilities 😂
January 1, 2022
Definitely pick this one up! I thought this was a great story as it answers many of those tough questions about Santa that children ask. How does Santa get inside my house, if I don’t have a chimney? The North Pole is so cold, how can Santa live there? How can Santa be at the mall, at the animal shelter and be at the mall across town all in one day? I thought this was a fun, adorable book about Deja who is concerned about Santa’s visit. Deja is at that age where some of her friends don’t believe in Santa but Deja is looking for the answers to her important questions. It’s all about his arrival and how Santa will find her on this important night.
On glossy paper, this picture book has bright illustrations, I’m sure this book will be read over and over again as children explore the illustrations. Deja asks a lot of great questions and with the easy-to-read text, the story was an entertaining and fun read. 5 stars
On glossy paper, this picture book has bright illustrations, I’m sure this book will be read over and over again as children explore the illustrations. Deja asks a lot of great questions and with the easy-to-read text, the story was an entertaining and fun read. 5 stars
March 14, 2022
A beautifully illustrated book about a little girl who is doubting the existence of Santa thanks to classmates. So family and neighbors alike do their best to answer her many questions about Santa's existence and offer reasonable explanations.
May 8, 2024
This book was just great—sweet story, gorgeous illustrations with lots of fun details. The thing that really cracked me up was the blurb on the back cover: “Nothing stops Santa from coming to town”!
March 24, 2022
Ohhhh I love Christmas stories and this one is really sweet. Beautifully narrated by Keylor Leigh, it tells the story of an inquisitive little girl named Deja who is on a mission to find out if Santa is real and if so, how can he possibly bring her presents when her apartment doesn't have a chimney? A short but sweet book that can be listened to again and again.
December 18, 2021
Two weeks before Christmas, city girl Deja is getting really excited, but some kids don't think Santa exists. After all, they ask, how does Santa deliver gifts for kids who live in apartments and don't have a chimney? Or live up in the cold, cold North Pole. Luckily, Deja's mom has some answers for her. Christmas is magical, and magic always finds a way. Santa has a magical keychain that lets him in each and every apartment after parking on the roof. But each answer her mother has leads to another question that Deja has. Where does Santa park his sleigh and reindeer? How will Santa find them in among all the buildings? And how can Santa be a Kings Plaza Mall and the North Pole at the same time? And what about when they visit grandparents in Jamaica? How does Santa know where to find them? Still skeptical after all the answer, Deja decides to wait up for Santa himself to answer her questions, but she just couldn't keep her eyes open and Santa came and left, but not before leaving a special message just for her. This is a great book for all those city kids who may have the same questions and the answers are quiet feasible. I remember wondering the same things as Deja and so did my Kiddo when she was young. The bright, boldly colored digital illustrations capture all of Deja's emotions surrounding Christmas and Santa, perhaps because they were made with a pinch of Christmas magic.
December 2, 2021
Black Santa! And he's got all the answers.
December 3, 2021
A sweet story in the vein of "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus", except instead of relying on the newspaper for confirmation Deja gets a renewed belief in Christmas magic from family and friends throughout the community. The perfect cozy addition to any holiday book collection ☺️ ❤️
September 29, 2022
Why such a low rating? The mostly illegible font for the text. It was very distracting which is a shame considering I love how Santa in the City reaches those underrepresented populations. Those in the city. Those who live in apartments.
December 15, 2021
Very cute. The illustrations are well done and the characters are diverse.
January 12, 2022
This was so cute!! Is there anything Tiffany can’t do? Clearly not.
December 10, 2022
A fun read with the kiddos
December 12, 2025
Because I’m a sucker for a Christmas book with Black kids on the cover! Throwback to believing in Christmas magic. Cute little audiobook!
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December 15, 2025cute book.
December 17, 2025
Simply too cute. I loved how the adults worked to keep the magic alive. ✨
Please note, the representation of a diverse community includes an LGBT+ couple.
Please note, the representation of a diverse community includes an LGBT+ couple.
December 1, 2021
Cute story! Love the message and the illustrations.
December 19, 2024
Pet peeve: Every scene depicting the North Pole shows penguins. Not polar bears, not reindeer...penguins. Come on.
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
December 16, 2021
My Favorite New Addition To My Kids’ Christmas Shelves
As a child, if you celebrate Christmas, you will inevitably have questions about how Santa Claus operates. For some kids, they will get their answers from The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore. But for a lot of children, who don’t live in what marketing campaigns consider the ideal spot for Santa to land –a house with a chimney — they are often left to wonder how in the world this Santa thing will work out for them.
So Many Questions!
This is why this book is so awesome! The main character, Deja, is challenged by all of the common questions a kid who lives in the city would have about how Santa could exist.
“How does he get into your apartment when there’s no chimney?”
Give Mamas Their Props For Maintaining Christmas Joy
Deja’s mom is the real MVP in this story. For every question she has really cool magical explanation. As I was reading it with my kids, I was sitting there like, “Huh? That’s pretty good! I wouldn’t have thought about that!” So shout out to Tiffany D. Jackson’s mom, whom I believe Deja’s mom is modeled after. Those were some good explanations lady!
Santa Is Here For All The Kids
What is great about this book, is that you can read it with any child, city-dweller or country-runner, and they will enjoy it. Because the beauty of this story is it shows the flexibility of Santa Claus and how he includes all children and not just children who live in certain types of homes. To me that is always the biggest struggle with Santa Claus. How do you include all children in the fun?
HAVE A SIP OF COCOA ☕…
I came for… Black Santa!!!
I stayed for… the beautiful illustrations and the fun story about how Santa does visit the city!
Educator Recommendations: This is a great opportunity to read a story that is inclusive of kids in different types of living environments. If you read it in a rural environment, then those kids get to learn about the city. If you read it to city kids they will approach it from the perspective that they actually can fit into a narrative that has often left them out.
Mom Recommendation: This book is a super fun read with your children. If you enjoy the idea of Santa Claus in your house, this is a book that will help kids stretch their imaginations for how different things are possible. While I always recommend books that feature Black people to all cultures. I think this one will be very special to African American moms and Moms of African-American children. We are often out there searching for items that feature Black Santa and this one is definitely a keeper. I definitely recommend this as an annual Christmas read.
As a child, if you celebrate Christmas, you will inevitably have questions about how Santa Claus operates. For some kids, they will get their answers from The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore. But for a lot of children, who don’t live in what marketing campaigns consider the ideal spot for Santa to land –a house with a chimney — they are often left to wonder how in the world this Santa thing will work out for them.
So Many Questions!
This is why this book is so awesome! The main character, Deja, is challenged by all of the common questions a kid who lives in the city would have about how Santa could exist.
“How does he get into your apartment when there’s no chimney?”
Give Mamas Their Props For Maintaining Christmas Joy
Deja’s mom is the real MVP in this story. For every question she has really cool magical explanation. As I was reading it with my kids, I was sitting there like, “Huh? That’s pretty good! I wouldn’t have thought about that!” So shout out to Tiffany D. Jackson’s mom, whom I believe Deja’s mom is modeled after. Those were some good explanations lady!
Santa Is Here For All The Kids
What is great about this book, is that you can read it with any child, city-dweller or country-runner, and they will enjoy it. Because the beauty of this story is it shows the flexibility of Santa Claus and how he includes all children and not just children who live in certain types of homes. To me that is always the biggest struggle with Santa Claus. How do you include all children in the fun?
HAVE A SIP OF COCOA ☕…
I came for… Black Santa!!!
I stayed for… the beautiful illustrations and the fun story about how Santa does visit the city!
Educator Recommendations: This is a great opportunity to read a story that is inclusive of kids in different types of living environments. If you read it in a rural environment, then those kids get to learn about the city. If you read it to city kids they will approach it from the perspective that they actually can fit into a narrative that has often left them out.
Mom Recommendation: This book is a super fun read with your children. If you enjoy the idea of Santa Claus in your house, this is a book that will help kids stretch their imaginations for how different things are possible. While I always recommend books that feature Black people to all cultures. I think this one will be very special to African American moms and Moms of African-American children. We are often out there searching for items that feature Black Santa and this one is definitely a keeper. I definitely recommend this as an annual Christmas read.
November 9, 2021
When I heard that Tiffany D. Jackson would be releasing Santa In The City I had to get my hands on a copy. I was in for treat! With the addition of Reggie Brown’s illustrations, I’d say that this ode to a Christmas tale is a slam dunk.
Deja is a curious and inquisitive little girl who has come to have a ton of questions leading into the weeks before Christmas. It doesn’t help that some kids at school do not believe in Santa as she does. Deja lives in the city in an apartment and is mostly concerned that Santa will not be able to visit her under such circumstances. But with the help of her family, members in the community, and Santa himself Deja is reassured about the spirit of Christmas.
I loved the illustrations. Everything from the thoughtfully crafted images to the selections of hair and dress and the diverse representation of people in the community were stunning and beautiful. So many rich and vivid colors were used throughout 😍
This story brought on tons of nostalgia for me. Growing up in an apartment, I remember when I too questioned about the truthfulness of Santa Claus, his helpers and the North Pole. It is very relatable. It is an excellent book for young readers and families alike, in time for the holiday season.
Deja is a curious and inquisitive little girl who has come to have a ton of questions leading into the weeks before Christmas. It doesn’t help that some kids at school do not believe in Santa as she does. Deja lives in the city in an apartment and is mostly concerned that Santa will not be able to visit her under such circumstances. But with the help of her family, members in the community, and Santa himself Deja is reassured about the spirit of Christmas.
I loved the illustrations. Everything from the thoughtfully crafted images to the selections of hair and dress and the diverse representation of people in the community were stunning and beautiful. So many rich and vivid colors were used throughout 😍
This story brought on tons of nostalgia for me. Growing up in an apartment, I remember when I too questioned about the truthfulness of Santa Claus, his helpers and the North Pole. It is very relatable. It is an excellent book for young readers and families alike, in time for the holiday season.
December 2, 2025
When Deja's classmates cause her doubt the existence of Santa Claus, her family -- particularly her mother -- provide ample explanations to renew her belief in Santa Claus and the magic of Christmas.
Young readers who want to believe in Santa Claus but have their doubts are the target audience for this book. This story shows the celebration of Christmas and a visit from Santa in a major metropolitan setting (New York City?).
I liked the idea of Santa having a magic key that lets him into all the houses and apartment buildings without chimneys.
It was also nice to see Christmas stockings being hung someplace other than on the fireplace mantle, which is a primarily American practice. For example in Great Britain, children hang stockings on the end of beds for Father Christmas, and in Germany children put their shoes out by the front door for St. Nicholas on Dec. 6, and if der Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus/Father Christmas) or das Christkind (either an angel or Baby Jesus) bring presents on Christmas Eve, they leave them under the Christmas tree.
The illustrations were done digitally using photoshop.
Young readers who want to believe in Santa Claus but have their doubts are the target audience for this book. This story shows the celebration of Christmas and a visit from Santa in a major metropolitan setting (New York City?).
I liked the idea of Santa having a magic key that lets him into all the houses and apartment buildings without chimneys.
It was also nice to see Christmas stockings being hung someplace other than on the fireplace mantle, which is a primarily American practice. For example in Great Britain, children hang stockings on the end of beds for Father Christmas, and in Germany children put their shoes out by the front door for St. Nicholas on Dec. 6, and if der Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus/Father Christmas) or das Christkind (either an angel or Baby Jesus) bring presents on Christmas Eve, they leave them under the Christmas tree.
The illustrations were done digitally using photoshop.
November 11, 2021
I'm going through a ton of Christmas books right now and this one is super cute! A story of a little girl's search for answers to the age old question: is there a Santa Claus? It has a diverse cast, beautiful illustration's, and a fun story with a bit of Christmas magic.
Deja starts to get nervous when the kids around her begin saying that there is no Santa Claus. She asks the adults around her questions like how can Santa live in the North Pole when it's so cold? Where does Santa park his sleigh when there's no place on the street big enough? How can Santa visit kids with no chimney? To be honest, I related more with the adults answering her questions than with Deja's inquisitiveness. I can't remember ever believing in Santa but I loved the magic of the imagination. I would make up things for my little sister, who also never believed in Santa so I'm not sure what my point was.lol I loved the stories though.
If you're making up a list of Christmas books to read this year, this would be a good one to add!
Deja starts to get nervous when the kids around her begin saying that there is no Santa Claus. She asks the adults around her questions like how can Santa live in the North Pole when it's so cold? Where does Santa park his sleigh when there's no place on the street big enough? How can Santa visit kids with no chimney? To be honest, I related more with the adults answering her questions than with Deja's inquisitiveness. I can't remember ever believing in Santa but I loved the magic of the imagination. I would make up things for my little sister, who also never believed in Santa so I'm not sure what my point was.lol I loved the stories though.
If you're making up a list of Christmas books to read this year, this would be a good one to add!
April 25, 2023
In a world where nobody HAS to believe in goodness (or Santa Claus), some people insist.
Right from the first page of this story, I found Deja to be an appealing, relatable character. I wanted to join her on her journey of discovery about Santa Claus.
Note: Those sculptureseque pictures by Reggie Brown sure helped me get into this story and STAY in this story. Sculpturesque yet breathingly-livingly human. Awesome art!
Sympathetic to Deja, I was pleasantly surprised when Deja's wise Mommy came on the scene. Instead of liking this book so far (not bad) quite simply, I fell in love with it. When?
Starting precisely at the moment when Mommy pointed out how "Santa's got a special keychain like our super, Mr. Clark. His key is magic and opens up all the apartments in the entire world."
The book gathers momentum and joy. I LOVED the ending, too. (Though no spoiler from me, haha!)
What an original, clever, satisfying, great-hearted story. Worthy of FIVE STARS and more, if I had them to give.
Right from the first page of this story, I found Deja to be an appealing, relatable character. I wanted to join her on her journey of discovery about Santa Claus.
Note: Those sculptureseque pictures by Reggie Brown sure helped me get into this story and STAY in this story. Sculpturesque yet breathingly-livingly human. Awesome art!
Sympathetic to Deja, I was pleasantly surprised when Deja's wise Mommy came on the scene. Instead of liking this book so far (not bad) quite simply, I fell in love with it. When?
Starting precisely at the moment when Mommy pointed out how "Santa's got a special keychain like our super, Mr. Clark. His key is magic and opens up all the apartments in the entire world."
The book gathers momentum and joy. I LOVED the ending, too. (Though no spoiler from me, haha!)
What an original, clever, satisfying, great-hearted story. Worthy of FIVE STARS and more, if I had them to give.
August 25, 2021
A little girl’s belief in Santa is restored in this picture book releasing 10.5.
🎅🏿
Deja loves Christmas more than anything. She counts down the days all year. Until one day her friends start telling her Santa isn’t real. This prompts Deja to do some thinking and investigating of her own, asking adults all the questions her friends asked and more. But come Christmas morning Deja wakes up to one special surprise.
🎅🏿
I don’t normally review picture books, but I’ll read anything by the amazing Tiffany D. Jackson. Ever since this was announced I’ve been waiting to see if it was available on Edelweiss because Christmas is my favorite holiday just like Deja. I loved the representation in this book, as well as the setting. In many books depicting this holiday, Santa is shown visiting houses, not necessarily apartments or more populated areas. Santa in the City is a must buy for any classroom or library. Loved this holiday feel good book!
🎅🏿
Deja loves Christmas more than anything. She counts down the days all year. Until one day her friends start telling her Santa isn’t real. This prompts Deja to do some thinking and investigating of her own, asking adults all the questions her friends asked and more. But come Christmas morning Deja wakes up to one special surprise.
🎅🏿
I don’t normally review picture books, but I’ll read anything by the amazing Tiffany D. Jackson. Ever since this was announced I’ve been waiting to see if it was available on Edelweiss because Christmas is my favorite holiday just like Deja. I loved the representation in this book, as well as the setting. In many books depicting this holiday, Santa is shown visiting houses, not necessarily apartments or more populated areas. Santa in the City is a must buy for any classroom or library. Loved this holiday feel good book!
December 29, 2021
We are in the midst of a huge pause. The winter solstice 2021 was observed on December 21, 2021. Today, December 26, 2021 marks five more days before the new calendar year begins. Some seasonal holidays have been celebrated; preparations for others are still being made. It is as if everything and everyone are holding their collective breaths, waiting for what comes next.
Every year there are children around the world who wonder if Santa Claus will be able to find them. They know the stories about where he lives and his method of transportation. Perhaps, they have moved or live in more than one house or have no home at all. Santa In The City (Dial Books For Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, November 2, 2021) written by Tiffany D. Jackson with illustrations by Reggie Brown is about a little girl with multiple worries about Santa visiting her home.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
Every year there are children around the world who wonder if Santa Claus will be able to find them. They know the stories about where he lives and his method of transportation. Perhaps, they have moved or live in more than one house or have no home at all. Santa In The City (Dial Books For Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, November 2, 2021) written by Tiffany D. Jackson with illustrations by Reggie Brown is about a little girl with multiple worries about Santa visiting her home.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
November 30, 2023
Intended Audience Preschool-3 Grade, ages between 4-8 years old.
The story is about Deja questioning if Santa can actually get to her city. She asked some of her friends from school, and they said Santa was not real and if he was, he could not even get into the busy city. Deja then decided to ask her mama if Santa was real. Deja's mom answered all of Deja's questions which eased her mind for a while. Christmas eve Deja had more questions and she was able to ask her aunt and uncles. Later when Deja got home, she got an idea to wait for Santa, but she fell asleep. But when she woke up, she found that Santa had left her a note.
I chose this book because, this shows how children are so curious about what goes on and how they would like to know. I have younger cousins and siblings that like to ask different questions all the time.
Lexile Measure: AD650L
The story is about Deja questioning if Santa can actually get to her city. She asked some of her friends from school, and they said Santa was not real and if he was, he could not even get into the busy city. Deja then decided to ask her mama if Santa was real. Deja's mom answered all of Deja's questions which eased her mind for a while. Christmas eve Deja had more questions and she was able to ask her aunt and uncles. Later when Deja got home, she got an idea to wait for Santa, but she fell asleep. But when she woke up, she found that Santa had left her a note.
I chose this book because, this shows how children are so curious about what goes on and how they would like to know. I have younger cousins and siblings that like to ask different questions all the time.
Lexile Measure: AD650L
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October 23, 2021Deja has lots of questions and doubts about how Santa gets to their house since they live in the city and don’t have a chimney.
I don’t entirely know how I feel about this book. On the one hand, I love that it gives kids who don’t have a single family house in the suburbs with a fireplace a way to not feel left out from the story of Santa. I also love that it’s a Santa narrative that doesn’t center whiteness. However, I have always struggled with spinning the Santa story to kids in the form of lying to them to get them to believe in magic that doesn’t exist as a way to manipulate them into behaving. So while I appreciate the inclusiveness of this story, I still remain dubious about upholding a narrative to kids that are starting to doubt his existence.
I don’t entirely know how I feel about this book. On the one hand, I love that it gives kids who don’t have a single family house in the suburbs with a fireplace a way to not feel left out from the story of Santa. I also love that it’s a Santa narrative that doesn’t center whiteness. However, I have always struggled with spinning the Santa story to kids in the form of lying to them to get them to believe in magic that doesn’t exist as a way to manipulate them into behaving. So while I appreciate the inclusiveness of this story, I still remain dubious about upholding a narrative to kids that are starting to doubt his existence.
December 27, 2021
Santa in the City by Tiffany D. Jackson is a sweet Christmas holiday book. In the days leading up to Christmas, Deja, a young girl from Brooklyn, begins to question the myth of Santa. Her family and other adults in her life keep the magic of Santa alive after she begins to have doubts.
I simply adored the illustrations: cartoony, they look like a storyboard for a new children's holiday TV show. There are some Easter eggs (Christmas presents?) put in by the illustrator which made me happy.
I simply adored the illustrations: cartoony, they look like a storyboard for a new children's holiday TV show. There are some Easter eggs (Christmas presents?) put in by the illustrator which made me happy.
July 22, 2023
If your idea of a good book to read to your child is one where an earnest, inquisitive young girl asks adults for the truth and they create increasingly elaborate lies to keep her deceived, then this is the book for you. I hated it.
The girl so wants to understand the world around her, and everywhere she's met with deception by adults. Their message seems to be that 1) you can't handle the truth and 2) we think that perpetuating a lie will set you up for a lifetime of blind obedience to authority — and this is a good thing.
Cute art. The premise is solid — why would Santa want to come to the urban center with its poor folks and apartment blocks? So much potential, wasted.
The girl so wants to understand the world around her, and everywhere she's met with deception by adults. Their message seems to be that 1) you can't handle the truth and 2) we think that perpetuating a lie will set you up for a lifetime of blind obedience to authority — and this is a good thing.
Cute art. The premise is solid — why would Santa want to come to the urban center with its poor folks and apartment blocks? So much potential, wasted.
August 11, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Dial Books through Edelweiss+.
Deja has many questions about Santa after hearing that her friends don't believe in him. She asks her mom a wide variety of them as they move through their day. Mom shows patience and a good deal of thought in her answers. Great book for families with children who are starting to ask their own questions. The thoughtful answers provided by Jackson are terrific discussion starters or worthwhile answers for complex questions. The illustrations capture the reality of city life and the whimsy of the Christmas season.
Deja has many questions about Santa after hearing that her friends don't believe in him. She asks her mom a wide variety of them as they move through their day. Mom shows patience and a good deal of thought in her answers. Great book for families with children who are starting to ask their own questions. The thoughtful answers provided by Jackson are terrific discussion starters or worthwhile answers for complex questions. The illustrations capture the reality of city life and the whimsy of the Christmas season.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews