Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole

You know that Santa can fly a sleigh, squeeze down chimneys, and circle the globe in a night. But did you know that another of his talents is writing haiku?

"December 1: White envelopes float / from my overfilled mailbox— / December's first storm."

"December 24: Which is packed tighter / the sack full of toys or the / red suit full of me?"

These twenty-five short poems—composed by Santa himself—give you a peek into life at the North Pole as the December days tick down to Christmas. See the hustle and bustle of the elves' workshop, feel the serenity of moonlight on fresh snow, and find out how Santa and Mrs. Claus keep busy as Santa's big night draws near.

Commended for Cybils (Poetry) 2014

“"Writing in the voice of Santa himself, Raczka (Lemonade) offers a haiku for each day in December leading up to Christmas. This is not a frantic Santa laboring day and night in his workshop; in fact, he's seen there only on December 9, calmly whistling while listening to 'Elves pounding, sawing/ and sanding, a holiday/ concert performance.' Ostensibly typed up on Santa's typewriter, the poems capture the sounds and sights of the season, indoors and out, while conveying the personality of the gentle, perceptive poet and his loving bond with Mrs. Claus. Suggesting elements of folk art, silkscreen, and stencil, Groenink's (Dear Daisy Dunnington) graceful pictures are similarly soothing, whether he's portraying the moonlit, frozen outdoors or the peaceful, warm interior of the Claus home. This is Christmas from the heartwith scarcely a toy in sight." starred, Publishers Weekly”

"The poems capture the sounds and sights of the season, indoors and out, while conveying the personality of the gentle, perceptive poet and his loving bond with Mrs. Claus....This is Christmas from the heart—with scarcely a toy in sight." —starred, Publishers Weekly

Author of the art appreciation series, Bob Raczka's Art Adventures, Bob Raczka studied both art and advertising in college. He has worked as an advertising writer for 30+ years, and has published more than 30 children's books. His work has received multiple awards including the Claudia Lewis Award for his first poetry book, Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys, and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor for Niko Draws a Feeling. Bob and his wife Amy have three grown children, Robert, Carl and Emma, plus two dogs, Penny and Pippa. He is based in Illinois. Chuck Groenink is an illustrator from the Netherlands. He grew up in a small town, climbing trees, exploring forests and drawing a lot. All things he still enjoys doing, only these days he lives in Syracuse, NY, with his wife and two scraggly cats.

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