Santa’s Secret

By Mike Dumbleton & Tom Jellett

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Mike Dumbleton is a prolific writer who has created about thirty picture books, plus junior fiction and non-fiction, some YA, as well as anthologies and adaptations.  In 2005 he received the Federal Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Improving Literacy, which recognized his work both as an educator and a writer over an extended period of time. Tom Jellett has also illustrated many picture books, including the award winning Dirt by Sea. .

Did you know that after Santa has delivered all his presents and had a little rest, he takes a day off? He takes off the red hat, the red top, the vest, the boots and woolly socks and changes into a pair of shorts and a shirt decorated with pineapples! That’s because he is going to his old beach shack in Australia, taking with him the final present from Xmas day, the latest surfboard with double fins. Santa turns out to be an expert surfer because he has been coming here for many many years. At the end of the day he gives his surfboard away to a lucky chap with just a very quiet ho ho ho…

The rhymes bounce merrily along perfectly complemented by the illustrations – the whole both funny and thoroughly Australian, the pineapple infested  endpapers adding the final touch. Seeing Santa cavorting in the ocean in his bright red wet suit is also very special. Jellett’s light and humorous touch is perfect for this entertaining story of what Santa does on his days off.

Santa’s Secret was published in 2012 but it is a delightful story definitely worth considering adding to your Christmas books collection

Random House Australia 2012

Tom Jellett

Mike Dumbleton