This is a great idea for the pre-Xmas weeks, a readalong for little ones that counts down the December days until Christmas. Like a bookish advent calendar. It's a fun tale of how Santa and the Elves get ready for all the excitement of delivering toys all over the world on Christmas Eve.

Santa has to get fit, plan his route, ensure more than a billion toys are made, and check over the naughty and nice lists, among other things. The illustrations are vivid, lively and fun, and elevate a kids' book where the text is pretty straightforward (no rhymes, rhythm or sing-song quality, and not much in the way of fun, unusual words to spark and hold kids' interest when read aloud).

A great idea, with great illustrations, that is let down a little by the text (including the choice of font and type-setting). Still a good book that might be fun to read to little ones as they not-so-patiently wait for Santa's arrival in December.