October is such a busy month for our famly. We have several family birthdays this month (including B's), and lots of other events in the next week or two, and then of course, it will be Halloween! After Halloween, it seems like we just slide right into Christmas. I was actually shopping for B's birthday a couple of days ago and found such great deals on some of the items on his wish list, that I went ahead and did some Christmas shopping for him... and I could almost be done!

We do love Christmas, and though it's still more than two months away, we can't help but feel the cheery spirit of the holidays circling around us. When Christmas comes, I usually say that I'm not ready, and that's usually true, but the truth is, I love Christmastime, and am as giddy as a little kid during the holiday season. So, when we were asked to check out a brand new Christmas themed children's book, centered around Santa, we couldn't pass up the chance!

Santa's Zanzy, Wacky, Just Not Right Night Before Christmas is a fun and silly story. As it unfolds, you get a glimpse into Santa's life, and get to take an inside look at what really goes on behind the scenes on Christmas Eve. However, Mrs. Claus winds up sick, and Santa has to fend for himself. Many things go amiss, and poor Santa is met with one crisis after the next, as he races to get ready to deliver everyone's Christmas gifts. 

Santa’s (Zany, Wacky, Just Not Right!) Night Before Christmas is a whimsical tale of Santa’s journey through a Christmas Eve that doesn’t go as he expects.  One small event leads to a series of surprises that change Santa and Christmas as we know it. It’s a story to spark the imagination, make kids giggle, and bring a smile even to a grownup’s face!  Here is a story that even grownup will relate to and enjoy.

The story was conceived out of an interesting conversation between the two authors of how much of Christmas might change if something as simple as Santa’s suit changed to purple. 

DK Simoneau says, “There are things in the illustrations that aren’t even reflected in the words of the story, like upside down snowmen, green mittens and plaid candy canes instead of striped ones, a clever little mouse named Matches popping up everywhere, and so much more.”

About the Authors and Illustrator

DK Simoneau is the award winning author of We’re Having A Tuesday, a book helping children of divorce cope with shared custody living arrangements.   She has offered advice on divorced parenting in numerous publications and on various programs, including the CBS Early Show.  She enjoys writing stories that help children express their feelings or inspire them to dream and use their zany, whimsical imaginations. She enjoys traveling, dancing, and sharing time with her own 2 kids in Lakewood, Colorado.

David Radman began writing children’s stories as a single father, when his two daughters were very young. His love of being a dad inspired him to share his creativity through the magic of storytelling. He enjoys playing hockey, spending time with family, and continues to write stories he hopes to be able to share in the future. David lives in Littleton, Colorado, with his wife, two children, and three stepchildren.

Brad Cornelius was born and raised near Chicago, spending his free time learning to draw and watching lots of cartoons. Brad, his wife Melissa and their two greyhounds, are currently exploring the country in a vintage Airstream trailer. This is his second collaboration with DK Simoneau.

B couldn't wait to open up Santa's Zany, Wacky, Not Quite Rigt Night Before Christmas and read it with mommy and daddy!

B loved the colorful illustations and fun characters in the book's pictures.

Poor Santa winds up having to do his own laundry, because Mrs. Claus is sick!

'Mommy, why are Santa's clothes purple? Aren't they supposed to be red?'

Not only does Santa's suit turn purple... lots of other wacky things happen, too! The elves turn to very tall trolls, the Christmas trees are turned upside down, the snow turns pink, and all of the candy canes are burnt to a crisp! Oh, no! That's just not quite right, is it?

Illustation of one of the pages of this wacky story!

Santa realizes things are not right, and it's all because he made a mistake.

We had so much fun reading Santa's Zany, Wacky, Not Quite Right Night Before Christmas! B laughed and laughed at all of the silly things that were happening all the way through the book (including the cuute mouse and upsidedown snowmen and trees), until we were near the end, when he realized that these silly things made Santa sad. This book is light and fun, and perfect for all ages- a fun twist on a classic story that just might become a new family Christmas tradition on Christmas Eve!

Want It? Buy It!

For more information about this sorty, and the authors, visit santasnightbeforechristmas.com. The book's list price is $18.95, and is available wherever books are sold. You can connect with Santa's Zany, Wacky, Not Quite Right Night Before Christmas on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Special thanks to our friends at Santa's Zany, Wacky, Not Qute Right Night Before Christmas for allowing us to experience and share about one of our new favorite Christmas books!