School Library Journal Review
PreS-A simple and satisfying story about what can be a scary event for some children. A shy preschooler is apprehensive about talking to Santa, so his parents suggest that he practice asking for what he wants. On a visit to the mall, Jack accidentally bumps into Santa, who is hiding from the kids "because he is not feeling brave" about meeting them. Jack suggests that the big man role-play with him and both overcome their fears. The bright, expressive watercolor cartoons reinforce the excitement of the holiday and set just the right mood for the text. Not a first purchase, but a solid holiday read-aloud.-M. W. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Jack is too shy to talk to Santa at the mall, but after lots of encouragement and practice (Jack to his dad: ""You be Santa...I'll be Jack""), he's ready to try. When Santa confides that he, too, is feeling shy, Jack loses all inhibitions and gives Santa a pep talk. The art is rich with Christmas cheer and broad brush strokes of color. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Plenty of children are nervous (or downright petrified) about the traditional visit to Santa Claus to convey toy requests and pose for photos. Poydar adroitly addresses this common concern through the story of Jack, a shy little boy with glasses who is nervous about talking to people he doesn't know. His father role-plays with Jack so he can prepare to visit Santa, a technique that Jack employs when he finds Santa paralyzed with shyness himself behind the curtains surrounding his special chair at the mall. The concepts of shyness, courage, and practicing for a difficult social interchange are skillfully integrated into the story, which treats shyness respectfully--though shyness isn't always a stage that's outgrown, as the text indicates. Cheerfully bright paintings are filled with holiday decorations and patterns, with a cast of ethnically diverse children waiting for their turn with Santa. A joyous concluding spread shows a view of Jack's dream on Christmas Eve, with Jack driving a toy-laden fire engine through the sky, with Santa in the back seat. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.