The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold - by Maureen Fergus (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Santa has a problem. This kid? Harold? Santa doesn't think he's real. He WANTS to believe in Harold--after all, Harold is one of the most magical parts of Christmas. Getting Harold's letters, eating the cookies he leaves out, feeding his carrots to the reindeer... what would Christmas be without that? But Santa's just not sure. Some of his friends are telling him they think Harold's not real. And the Harold that sat on his knee last Christmas looked AWFULLY different. Santa comes up with a plan to find out once and for all if Harold really exists... with hilarious consequences.

Review Quotes

One of Today's Parent's 52 Jolly Christmas Books for Kids 2018

PRAISE FOR The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold

"An amusing story with the welcome inclusion of a multiracial family." --Kirkus Reviews

"A fun story and a great antidote to holiday skepticism." --School Library Journal

"...deliciously fun." --Publishers Weekly

"This clever and funny book laced with slapstick elements flips a regular holiday story on its head. Santa proves a natural in his role as a skeptical detective, equal parts curmudgeonly and cuddly." --Quill and Quire

"The artwork by Cale Atkinson is perfectly suited for the story - with its bright and overstuffed illustrations. While definitely evoking Christmas colours and themes, it never feels overdone. Atkinson also does great work capturing the facial expressions of all the characters." --CM Magazine

"Relatable and entertaining, this tongue-in-cheek picture book turns a child's inevitable disbelief of Santa Claus on its head." --Booklist

"What kids will like: This extremely clever twist on "Is there really a Santa Claus?" anxiety will provoke jelly-belly laughs from kids and adults alike." --USA Today

"Good reading skills will lend appreciation to this story of a flummoxed Santa." --Midwest Book Review

About the Author

MAUREEN FERGUS is the author of many award-winning books for kids and teens, including InvisiBill and The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten. Her books have won the McNally Robinson Books for Young People Award, the Diamond Willow, the Blue Spruce and the Best Books for Kids and the OLA Best Bets Award. Maureen works as the Managing Director of a financial services firm, coaches her kids' soccer teams, studies karate, bakes muffins, makes lunches and hangs out with her family: her husband, their three kids and Buddy the Wonder Dog. The author lives in Winnipeg, MB.