SANTA'S FIRST CHRISTMAS

Narrated by the author, this charming original story reveals that Santa himself never celebrated Christmas until one year when a gruff, growly polar bear pointed this out to his elves. They decide to treat Santa royally and help decorate his house for a holiday celebration--complete with gifts delivered by the bear, who is dressed in red and growls a deep-voiced "ho-ho-ho." Barnett imbues the elves with childlike wonder and naïveté and Santa with a kind, gentle demeanor--though he's disappointed when he's limited to only one cookie. Holiday music opens and closes the production, framing it beautifully. Occasional sound effects--wind, feet crunching snow, breaking glass, the crackle of a fire, and presents being unwrapped--add fullness to this sweet story. S.D.B. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2024]