Santa's Book of Names
By David McPhail
Little, Brown 1997 (reprint)
ISBN 0-31611534-7
Children / Fiction
Reading Ages 4-8

Reviewed by Beverly J. Rowe, MyShelf.Com
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Edward is very good at counting, and numbers, and knows the names of all the dinosaurs, but just can't quite read. Edward's teacher thinks that he should be tested to find out why, but Edward's mother wants to just be patient. She is sure that his reading will improve.

After Edward is tucked into bed Christmas eve, he turns on his flashlight and is looking over his book, wishing that he could read. He hears a noise and gets up to see what caused the sounds. Santa has come and gone, leaving his book of children's names. Edward makes a B for "book" in the snow. Santa sees it and comes back, inviting Edward along to help him deliver gifts. Since Edward can't read, he just holds the book and turns pages. When Santa's glasses are knocked off by a seabird and fall into the ocean, Edward must try to read--and yes, he can sound out the children's names and the presents.

While this story downplays the importance of testing to evaluate learning disabilities in children, it does stress the importance of reading.

The story and the winter night are beautifully illustrated in rich colors and nice traditional characters. David McPhail has given us a wonderful character in Edward. He has many of the same problems as the children who read about him, and solves them in believable ways.

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