In a welcome change from the usual frenetic jollity of Santa stories, this old man lives alone in a simple house in a snowy landscape. At a certain time every year, “just when the nights are longest and the stars shine brightest, Santa feels a tingling in his whiskers. Then he knows that the Christmas magic will soon be here.” He gathers and grooms the reindeer, polishes the sleigh, and darns his wool socks. Last, he consults his book of all children’s names, and chooses one certain toy for each, for “he knows what each child at heart wants most.” The anticipated moment finally arrives, as the Christmas magic “has come at last, as it always has, and always will.” Santa’s sun-drenched, sparely furnished home contrasts with the deep blue night sky into which his sleigh rises, while small visual details (Santa wears bunny slippers!) add a note of whimsy to the quiet tale. (Ages 3–6)