"No, no, no," said Santa in a kindly voice, "Christmas hasn't got anything to do with me. Sit down and I'll tell you all the story of the first Christmas."

"Santa's Favorite Story" is an attractively illustrated (with watercolors) picture book for children, which helps to de-emphasize Santa's role in Christmas, and helps to place the focus where it should belong. I'm sure the real Saint Nicholas would agree that it's part of his favorite story as well! (For more on the real St. Nicholas, take a look at "The Saint Nicholas Secret," by Dennis E. Engleman, available here at Amazon.com.)

We have had this book in our family for many years...it is read on Christmas Eve right along with "The Night Before Christmas" and St. Luke's Gospel. It truly answers their questions about Santa and the real meaning of Christmas. A true treasure.

Santa goes for a walk in the woods to get in shape for Christmas deliveries. However, he gets tired and ends up falling asleep under a tree. When the forest animals gather 'round him and he tells them he might be too tired to deliver the presents this year, an alarmed fox asks, "Does that mean there won't be a Christmas anymore?" Santa replies, "No, no no...Christmas hasn't got anything to do with me." And he tells them his favorite story -- about the first Christmas, when Jesus the Son of God was born. He concludes, "Love was the gift God gave to us on the first Christmas, and it still is, you know. And this love is far better than any presents I can ever deliver." Re-energized by his remembering of the story, he and the animals return to his house to prepare for Christmas and deliver the presents.

This is an equally fun and meaningful story. The illustrations are lovely, too. I plan to make the reading of this book a part of our family's Christmas tradition.

I am a reading teacher at an elementary school. I have read this book to three classes that I have taught over a period of two and one half years. The ages of the kids range from 6 to 10 years old. All three groups have absolutely loved this book and asked me read it to them again and again. They love the shiny moon and the shiny moon rocks. In accordance with the curriculum of the program I work for, I read a new book every four days, but so far El Lago De La Luna has been the one that the children can't get enough of. Dazzle the Dinosaur comes in second place. I strongly recommend this book.

I am a volunteer at a local elementary school reading program and bought this book to read to the spanish speaking children. They loved it. The story is quite cute and the illustrations are vibrant.

This is an exceptional children's book. The story of Peter is beautifully woven through illustrations that are nothing short of magical. There's are messages about kindness, greed, and living simply, but they never jeopardize the enchantment.