“How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?” by Mac Barnett is The Greatest Christmas Picture Book of this Century
Christmas comes with a flurry of beloved picture books, each vying for a cherished spot on our shelves and in our hearts. But this year, one contender stands out, not just for its festive cheer, but for its pure, unadulterated genius: Mac Barnett's How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? with illustrations by the incomparable Jon Klassen.
From the very first page, How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? throws open the doors to imagination and laughter.The premise is simple – a child ponders the age-old question: how does Santa possibly squeeze down the chimney? – but the execution is pure magic.
Barnett's playful text spins outlandish possibilities with deadpan earnestness. Does Santa shrink like a superhero? Fold himself like origami? Perhaps he melts into a puddle or squeezes through the keyhole like a mischievous elf? Klassen's accompanying illustrations bring these wacky scenarios to life with delightful absurdity, capturing Santa's stoic bewilderment at each suggestion.
But the book's brilliance lies beyond its humor. It celebrates the boundless curiosity of childhood, the joy of questioning and wondering. It reminds us that the magic of Christmas isn't confined to chimneys or reindeer – it's in the spark of imagination, the shared laughter, and the love that binds us together.
Don't just take my word for it. Critical acclaim for How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? is echoing across the literary landscape:
The Wall Street Journal: "A genial and witty picture book... Barnett dodges the question in this case by posing a series of childlike speculations."
The Star Tribune: "This one is both a great Christmas book and one that children will want to read all year round."
The San Francisco Chronicle Datebook: "Barnett and Klassen are a classic comedic duo... with a signature blend of delightful, subversive humor that children and adults can't get enough of."
NPR: "Barnett and Klassen squeeze, squash and generally put Santa through the wringer while trying to answer an age-old Christmas mystery."
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? deserves a place on your child’s bookshelf. It's not just a picture book; it's an invitation to play, to laugh, and to rediscover the magic that makes Christmas truly special.
You can see the author and illustrator read the book in this video: https://youtu.be/bwHN8a4Gjdw?feature=shared
Links to more reviews:
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/03/1215909495/jon-klassen-mac-barnett-how-does-santa-go-down-the-chimney
https://www.slj.com/review/how-does-santa-go-down-the-chimney
https://mitpressbookstore.mit.edu/book/9781536223767
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mac-barnett/how-does-santa-go-down-the-chimney/
