By: Barbara Joosse
Illustrated by: Kim Barnes
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Publication Date: August 2021
ISBN: 978-1534111011
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: September 2021
There are lots of Christmas stories about Santa Claus and his adventures, but few tell the tale of how Santa got his start. Author Barbara Joosse does just that in her new book, Just Be Claus.
Clausie wasn't the typical baby...while other infants cried and fussed, Clausie was always happy and had a jolly little laugh. As time went by, that laugh just grew and grew. He also always wore the same red shirt and daydreamed when he was supposed to be playing hockey. And much to Coach Fox's dismay, Clausie was so intent on helping others, that he even sometimes helped the other team score so they wouldn't be sad.
Clausie was happy all the time, and loved to play with Dasher, his very, very big dog. He also had a secret workshop where he and Grannie loved to make things like thingamajigs and leg warmers for Dasher. While Clausie was happy, he was also lonely because "...his differences made him feel out of place."
Grannie told Clausie that his differences were what made him special, but the young boy wasn't convinced. "You're creative, thoughtful, and generous...Just be you. Just be Claus," she insisted. But he still wasn't convinced. But then, when a big snowstorm came and the train carrying everyone's Christmas presents couldn't get through, Clausie set to work on a way to get gifts to everyone. Would his plan work?
Just Be Claus is a fun Christmas tale that will undoubtedly delight young children. The whole story has a happy vibe that spreads throughout the pages. The illustrations are bright and have a strong emphasis on shades of red and green, helping to set the Christmas spirit. Dasher the big, big dog was particularly notably, adding a serious dose of cuteness. If you love reading Christmas stories at bedtime to your little one, consider adding this one to your bookshelf - your child will love it.
Quill says: Just Be Claus is a sweet Christmas story that shows children being different and helping others are wonderful things to be celebrated.
Grandma Lou's Wonderfully Weird Christmas Dinner: A Christmas Tale for the Entire Family
The Ghouls’ Guide to Good Grammar
Just Be Claus: A Christmas Story
A Wish For A Christmas Fish: Secret Adventures Of The North Pole
The Twelve Birdies of Christmas
Once Upon a Dickens Christmas: 3 Charming Christmas Tales Set in Victorian England
Boo! A Chilling Tale of Too-Too #MeToo
Missile Toe: A Very Confused Christmas
Colors of Christmas: Two Contemporary Stories Celebrate the Hope of Christmas
The Beloved Christmas Quilt: Three Stories of Family, Romance, and Amish Faith
What Happens Under the Mistletoe
Born to Die in My Place: A Timeless Story
Oliver: The Cat Who Saved Christmas
The Berenstain Bears' Easter Blessings Board Book
The Nutcracker's Night Before Christmas
Christmas in America (Ellis the Elephant)
American St. Nick: A True Story
S: Memoir of an Iconic Gentleman
A Pony for Christmas: A Montana Holiday Novella
Santa Claus: The Book of Secrets
Sadie's Almost Marvelous Menorah
Boris and Stella and the Perfect Gift
Deck the Walls!: A Wacky Christmas Carol
The Twelve Clues of Christmas: A Royal Spyness Mystery
I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus: A Breathers Christmas Carol
The Vanishing Gourds: A Sukkot Mystery
The Count's Hanukkah Countdown: Shalom Sesame
Under My Hat: Tales From the Cauldron
A Woodland Christmas Tale: Lift the Flap for Every Day of Advent
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Ella Bella Ballerina and The Nutcracker
Maccabee Meals: Food and Fun for Hanukkah
Emanuel and the Hanukkah Rescue
Rashad's Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr
Izzy the Whiz and the Passover McClean
Nathan Blows out the Hanukkah Candles
Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap
The Twelve Days of Christmas – in Texas, That Is
A Teacher’s Night Before Christmas
Christmas Eve: The Nativity Story in Engravings, Verse, and Song
Easy Christmas Cut-up Cakes for Kids
No-Bake Gingerbread Houses for Kids
The Night Before Christmas in Africa
Lawyer's Week Before Christmas
Dinosaur’s Night Before Christmas
Snowflakes: Creative Paper Cutouts
The Ghouls Come Haunting One by One
A Family Haggadah II (Passover)
St. Patrick and the Three Blind Mice
A New Beginning: Celebrating the Spring Equinox
Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Easter: with Colored Eggs, Flowers, and Prayer
Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Chinese New Year: With Fireworks, Dragons, and Lanterns
Holidays Around The World: Celebrate Christmas: With Carols, Presents, and Peace
Tinsel: A Search for America’s Christmas Present
Witches’ Night Before Halloween
Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons
Disclosure in Accordance with FTC Guidelines 16 CFR Part 255
Copyrights © 2021 Feathered Quill Reviews All Rights Reserved. | Designed & Developed by Unglitch.io
