Manila International Book Fair 2024
LA TIMES FESTIVAL OF BOOKS
The Legend of the Two Santas is a heartwarming fictional story written by Frederick Tirrell. On Christmas Eve, Santa embarks on his usual journey around the globe, racing against time to fulfill Christmas wishes and spread the Christmas cheer. Unfortunately, due to fatigue, he slips and falls from the roof of a small house high in the mountains when he reaches the last continent on his list – North America. Luckily, Rick, a little boy who loves Christmas because of how happy everyone gets during the season, sees him when he falls and bravely goes out into the snow in a wheelchair to help him.
Santa is moved by Rick’s act of bravery and kindness. He promises to make a special delivery the following year to repay him for his good deed if he sends him a special letter. However, all Rick wants is to accompany Santa on his journey and ensure he successfully makes all his deliveries before sunrise. Will Santa grant Rick’s wish?
The prose is simple and engaging, making it easy to follow and enjoy the story while focusing on its lessons, such as the value of kindness and bravery. The book’s clear and attractive format adds to its aesthetic appeal, and the illustrations beautifully complement the story with bright colors that effectively convey the liveliness associated with the Christmas season. Furthermore, Rick is a loveable character whose eagerness to offer help without considering the inconvenience it will cause him creates an affecting atmosphere.
The Legend of the Two Santas is a lovely book for spreading Christmas cheer and reminding everyone to always be kind and considerate. The use of onomatopoeia, such as “Thump” when Santa falls, helps to enliven the story by creating vivid images in the mind.
The book is only twenty-six pages, so it can be read in a single sitting, retaining the attention of children from start to finish. Additionally, it is a good option for parents, caregivers, guardians, or teachers looking for a nice story with a lovely lesson to tell children. The appealing illustrations are sure to enhance the narration and help children remember the story better. Positively, the book ends on a bright and hopeful note. This is a book worth adding to your child’s library.
The Legend of the Two Santas by Frederick Tirrell is an encouraging story of a little boy who, despite the odds, offers help to Santa and gets an experience to cherish for life.
Author Frederick Tirrell has created a delightful children’s illustrated Christmas story titled, The Legend of the Two Santas.
In this tale, a young boy, Rick, is home alone on Christmas eve when he hears a thump outside – low and behold Santa has slipped off the roof of his house and fallen into a snowbank. Being confined to a wheelchair, Rick bravely goes to his front door, opens it, and rolls out to help Santa up. His wheelchair falls over when it hits a rock, and both he and Santa are lying on their sides out in the snow. Santa stands up and notices Rick has his mobility issue, and now Santa helps Rick to get up and back into his wheelchair. Once that is done, the two of them go into the house to warm up a bit by the fire. But Santa is behind schedule to deliver presents all around the world that evening and must get back to his sled and Reindeer. Rick offers to help Santa by driving his sled, but Santa says he must be off, and up-up-and-away Santa goes off into the dark blue starry night.
A short time later, Rick hears the jingle-bells again, looks out his window, and sees Santa returning. After giving some thought to Rick’s offer to help out, Santa takes him up on it! He gives Rick a hat, coat, and gloves – as they both fly off in Santa’s sled to finish delivering gifts. Santa drops Rick off later at home and returns to the North Pole. As townspeople comment the next day they thought they saw two Santas in the sled, only Rick knows this little secret – and keeps it to himself.
Just when you thought all the stories about Christmas have been told, along comes this creative and heart-felt tale which is unique and written in a way youngsters will be totally captivated by the details. The author uses bold type for dialogue, helping young readers differentiate between the narration and the conversation – a nice touch. Having Rick being wheelchair-ridden gives his character a new twist for inclusiveness of people with disabilities. Being a short book, it is a quick read; the perfect length for a bedtime story along with very artistic illustrations to help convey the story.
The Legend of the Two Santas gave me a cold chill when Santa and Rick were lying in the snow, and a warm-and-fuzzy feeling when they went inside by the fire. The saturation of colors makes for a beautiful gallery of illustrations, and the twist of the plot is inspiring – and provides hope to readers to get what they wish for – as wishes do to come true.