Santa in the City
The second feature of December is here with Santa in the City by Tiffany D. Jackson (Author), Reggie Brown (Illustrator)
I absolutely love everything about this story. From the relatable and sweet text to the bright and bold illustrations, this story will have kids engaged throughout. If your child has been asking questions about Santa or just curious about how he does it, this is the perfect story for them.
When Deja begins worrying that Santa might not be able to visit her due to her living in the city, she has all kinds of questions. How does Santa get into her home if she doesn’t have a chimney? Where does Santa park his sleigh and reindeer? With help from her family and community, Deja learns that the Christmas spirit is throughout her city and she has no reason to worry at all. :)
After reading this story, I hope your kiddos enjoy these FREE printables below.
Have kiddos retell the story using this story retell printable. They can draw or use words depending on age.
Copy and paste into a word document or download the printable here.
Children can look for words from the story in this word find.
Copy and paste into a word document or download the printable here.
Have children reflect on the story and think about their own home and how Santa may come in. Example: window, front door, chimney, basement, a magical portal etc. Let them be creative :)
Copy and paste into a word document or download the printable here.
Help Santa through the maze to get to the city.
Copy and paste into a word document or download the printable here.
As with every picture book, I also like to offer a fun hands-on activity as an extension of the book.
With this story being all about a young girl in the city, I thought let’s have the kids make a beautiful city portrait.
My kids love to use water colors and using them for a city portrait seems perfect.
Depending on the ages of the child/ren, you may want to draw the buildings first using a black sharpie. If the children are older, they may want the to try drawing some buildings on their own. You can show them some pictures of a big city first. Then giving them water colors and a paint brush, you will have a beautiful city portrait. :) Of course welcome creativity by allowing children to add different details. Maybe they want to draw their own city, buildings they know, and have specific details they can put in. Or maybe then want to add Santa! :)
And, if you are looking for an idea for your elf on the shelf…
Your elf can build a city! Using any type of building blocks, Legos, bristle blocks, foam blocks, wooden blocks, waffle builders, Duplo Legos, etc, build a “city” for your elf to be inside or hiding behind. You could add a note: Do you like my city?! Can you build one too?
Have extra blocks close by for your child to build their own :)
I hope your kiddos/students enjoy this story, Santa in the City, the printables, hands-on activity, and if using, the Elf on the Shelf idea!
Please considering purchasing this book using links above or checking it out at your local library. After reading this story, PLEASE leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. :)
Stay tuned for more Picture Books, Printables and Play!—OH MY WITH Elf on the Shelf for December! THREE more Christmas picture books to come!
