Well it’s that time of year again. The weather has got colder, there are twinkling coloured lights everywhere and the shops are jam-packed. Probably a good time to stay in the warmth on the comfort of your own sofa curled up with a good book. When it comes to children’s Christmas books, there is just something timeless and comforting about them. It doesn’t matter whether they are filled with snowy landscapes, twinkling lights or tales of generosity and togetherness, these wonderful stories have a way of capturing the magic of the season. For young readers, they offer more than just entertainment – they become part of the festive tradition, read under the duvet on Christmas Eve or tucked into stockings for Christmas morning. At Young Page Turners, we love discovering festive reads that combine humour and heart with just a dash of mischief and Santa & Son, written by David Walliams and illustrated by Adam Stower, is one such gem – a wild, witty romp through one of the most magical places on Earth at this time of year – a toy store on Christmas Eve! It’s a story that is bursting with action, laughs and just enough warmth to make it a seasonal favourite.
Santa & Son is a riotous, toy-fuelled Christmas caper that blends slapstick chaos with heartfelt moments that is perfect for junior readers, aged 7+, who are craving a fun festive adventure.
David Walliams’ first ever Christmas novel is set in the 1980s so loses all the modern tech we are used to, going back to a simpler time that amps up the retro charm. Santa & Son follows young Elvis, yes Elvis, a 10 year old boy who is named after The King of Rock, whose Christmas Eve takes a dramatic turn. Young Elvis and his mum don’t have much money, but he has saved up all year to buy his mum a gift. Elvis is thrilled to have received a golden ticket to meet Santa at Londinium’s biggest and world-famous toy store. But pushy crowds, nasty elves and bad luck leave him outside the store with unanswered questions and without his mum’s gift. Elvis sneaks back in after the store closes – only to stumble into a full-blown robbery. Inside, a trio of burglars are plotting to blow up the shop to steal all the Christmas takings. But Elvis is now aware of their dastardly deed and teams up with the shop’s Santa and ancient security guard to stop them. Their only weapons? Toys. Lots and lots of toys – think Home Alone, just not at home… or alone!
Overall, I found Santa & Son to be a fantastic festive frolic that leans into the absurd with pogo sticks, stink bombs, bubble guns, slinkies and remote-controlled helicopters becoming tools of resistance in a battle that has the chaos of Home Alone and Night at the Museum. With its brisk pacing, snappy chapters and humour that will appeal to different age groups: from silly slapstick for younger readers to clever wordplay and Elvis-themed gags for older ones (there are lots of gags using Elvis songs, see how many you can get). It’s a chaotic and cheeky tale, but also one that is full of heart, making this a read that’s as fun for parents as it is for kids.
Beneath the fun and chaos of the fantastic Christmas tale lies an emotional undercurrent of heartbreak and hope. Beyond the antics of fighting off thieves with a variety of toys, the story also looks at Elvis’s relationship with his hardworking mum and his determination to make her proud, his sadness at missing his absent father, and the unexpected bond he forms with Santa and the security guard, adding a great depth to the tale. It leaves readers with a sense of possibility and warmth – just what a good Christmas story should do.
The characters are lots of fun – alongside Elvis and Santa, readers will be entertained by The Captain – the security guard who has been working at the toy shop for 50 years!; The Major with his stiff upper lip and military precision and is The Captain’s superior; The Elf, Santa’s little helper that isn’t as helpful as you would expect; Rose, Santa’s little helper’s larger wife, mean and nasty and definitely not very helpful and Bozo, the giant brute who is the son of The Elf and Rose. And there is even a surprise character that I am not going to mention. These characters are all extremely different and each bring their own fun and unique qualities to the story.
To add to the fun of the story, on a lot of the pages are the fantastic illustrations by Adam Stower. These dynamic, expressive images help to capture every slime-splat, toy-store tumble and complete chaos with energy and flair. The characters just leap off the page and the visual comedy adds an extra layer to the storytelling, making it ideal for reluctant readers or those who thrive on visual cues as well as helping to break up the passages of text.
Santa & Son is a brilliant choice for children and families looking to add a new book to their Christmas reading list. With a brilliant blend of action, humour and heart as readers of David Walliams have come to expect, this book is more than just a seasonal read – it’s a story that invites laughter and courage with a reminder that sometimes the best gifts come from the most unexpected of places.
I really enjoyed reading Santa & Son, the Home Alone-esque feel to the story of fighting off thieves using a variety of toy shop toys was excellent. The characters are wonderful and the underlying theme of family was superb. A fantastic Christmas-themed read.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £14.99 – currently £7.49 (Hardback) / £7.99 (Paperback) / £7.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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