The Great Santa Stakeout - by Betsy Bird (Hardcover)

About the Book

Freddy Melcher is obsessed with Santa Claus: he has posters, clothes, underwear, action figures, everything but a photograph of the real Santa--and though it will take planning, trip wires, and staying awake late, this year he is determined to get the ultimate selfie.

Book Synopsis

A delightfully devious Christmas story from beloved librarian Betsy Bird and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat.

Freddy Melcher is Santa's #1 Fan. He has Santa posters, Santa action figures, and even Santa underwear. But there is one prize Freddy desperately wants: A photograph taken with Santa, fresh out of the chimney. Oh, is it risky! It's awfully hard to sneak anything by someone who can see you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake. That's why Freddy has been extra good this year . . . at hiding his plans. Will Freddy get away with his delightfully devious scheme to outwit Santa Claus himself and capture the ultimate selfie?

Review Quotes

Praise for Dan Santat's first picture book, The Guild of Geniuses (Arthur A. Levine Books)"Santat creates a fabulous world filled with kitschy delights . . . Some will recognize elements of Maira Kalman and William Joyce's artwork, but Santat is freshly his own." -- Booklist"Children will chuckle over the urbane visual humor in this promising debut." -- Kirkus Reviews"Kitschy fifties design and appealingly drawn characters make this a promising debut from Santat . . . Readers should keep an eye on Santat's attention-getting art and sympathetic monkey hero." -- Publishers WeeklyPraise for Dan Santat's Caldecott Medal-winning picture book, The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)Caldecott Medal WinnerNew York Times Bestseller#1 Indiebound BestsellerHuffington Post Best Overall Picture Book of 2014 PBS Parents Best Picture Book of the Year NPR "Great Read"ALSC Notable Book for Children A Chicago Public Library Best Picture Book of the Year "Dan Santat is one of the hardest working people in the industry today. And while his immense talent was always evident, Beekle takes his artistry to a new level. The story (which is just bursting at the seams with charm) begins on an island of colorful creatures, each waiting to be imagined by a special child and thus transported to the real world . . . As with all great books, Beekle has an air of inevitability about it. As if somewhere out there is an island of perfect stories just waiting for the right person to come along and imagine it into being. We should all be grateful that Santat, with his brilliant use of color and humor, was here to bring Beekle to life." -- The Huffington Post * "Santat's attention to detail in the mixed-media illustrations shares a child's eye for laughter and movement on full-bleed spreads with strategically placed text. Gazes of wonderment, broad smiles, and changes in perspective ensure an easy transition from page to page . . . Like Beekle's new friend, there's something here that feels just right as an "unimaginary" friendship creates a joyous, recognizable bond. A terrific addition to any library." -- School Library Journal, starred review Praise for Betsy Bird's, Giant Dance Party, illustrated by Brandon Dorman (Greenwillow Books) "The story nicely weaves together a realistic fear with fantasy elements. The characters' cheery personalities leap off the pages. Children will identify with Lexy and chuckle when they see the giants dancing . . . Bird and Dorman's efforts blend into a delightful picture book with a feel-good ending." -- School Library Journal "This picture book, by prominent -librarian-blogger Bird, includes such irresistible ingredients as a determined young girl, furry blue giants, and lots and lots of dancing." -- Booklist

About the Author

As a kid, Betsy Bird was incredibly shy, she wasn't good at sports, and she wasn't exactly the best artist in the world, but there was one thing she could do really well: read. She read comic strips and novels and comic books and picture books and magazines and pretty much anything she could get her hands on. When she grew up she became a children's librarian so she could work with books all day every day. She is also the author of Giant Dance Party, with illustrations by Goosebumps artist Brandon Dorman. Betsy was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now resides in Evanston, Illinois with her husband and offspring. Visit her at betsybirdbooks.com.
Dan Santat is the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, which won the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal in 2015. He is also the creator of the acclaimed graphic novel The Aquanaut, and his graphic memoir, A First Time for Everything, was the 2023 National Book Award Winner for Young People's Literature. His art is featured in numerous children's books, including Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series as well as picture books by Henry Winkler and Jake Gyllenhaal. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and pets. Visit him online at dansantatbooks.com.