The Great Santa Stakeout

About this book

A delightfully devious Christmas story from beloved librarian Betsy Bird and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat.

Freddy Melcher is Santa's #1 Fan. He has Santa posters, Santa action figures, and even Santa underwear. But there is one prize Freddy desperately wants: A photograph taken with Santa, fresh out of the chimney. Oh, is it risky! It's awfully hard to sneak anything by someone who can see you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake. That's why Freddy has been extra good this year . . . at hiding his plans. Will Freddy get away with his delightfully devious scheme to outwit Santa Claus himself and capture the ultimate selfie?

Reviews

Praise for Dan Santat's first picture book, The Guild of Geniuses (Arthur A. Levine Books)



"Santat creates a fabulous world filled with kitschy delights . . . Some will recognize elements of Maira Kalman and William Joyce's artwork, but Santat is freshly his own." -- Booklist



"Children will chuckle over the urbane visual humor in this promising debut." -- Kirkus Reviews



"Kitschy fifties design and appealingly drawn characters make this a promising debut from Santat . . . Readers should keep an eye on Santat's attention-getting art and sympathetic monkey hero." -- Publishers Weekly



Praise for Dan Santat's Caldecott Medal-winning picture book, The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)



Caldecott Medal WinnerNew York Times Bestseller#1 Indiebound BestsellerHuffington Post Best Overall Picture Book of 2014PBS Parents Best Picture Book of the YearNPR "Great Read"ALSC Notable Book for ChildrenA Chicago Public Library Best Picture Book of the Year



"Dan Santat is one of the hardest working people in the industry today. And while his immense talent was always evident, Beekle takes his artistry to a new level. The story (which is just bursting at the seams with charm) begins on an island of colorful creatures, each waiting to be imagined by a special child and thus transported to the real world . . . As with all great books, Beekle has an air of inevitability about it. As if somewhere out there is an island of perfect stories just waiting for the right person to come along and imagine it into being. We should all be grateful that Santat, with his brilliant use of color and humor, was here to bring Beekle to life." -- The Huffington Post



* "Santat's attention to detail in the mixed-media illustrations shares a child's eye for laughter and movement on full-bleed spreads with strategically placed text. Gazes of wonderment, broad smiles, and changes in perspective ensure an easy transition from page to page . . . Like Beekle's new friend, there's something here that feels just right as an "unimaginary" friendship creates a joyous, recognizable bond. A terrific addition to any library." -- School Library Journal, starred review



Praise for Betsy Bird's, Giant Dance Party, illustrated by Brandon Dorman (Greenwillow Books)



"The story nicely weaves together a realistic fear with fantasy elements. The characters' cheery personalities leap off the pages. Children will identify with Lexy and chuckle when they see the giants dancing . . . Bird and Dorman's efforts blend into a delightful picture book with a feel-good ending." -- School Library Journal



"This picture book, by prominent ­librarian-blogger Bird, includes such irresistible ingredients as a determined young girl, furry blue giants, and lots and lots of dancing." -- Booklist