Barnett, Mac. How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? Illustrated by Jon Klassen. Candlewick Press, 2023. 978-1-536-22376-7. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades PreK-1. 

Mac Barnett ponders the age-old question found in the title of this engaging picture book. The author begins by brainstorming ideas. Some suggestions are that he shrinks, tightens his belt, stretches out like taffy or gets help from a reindeer. For houses without chimneys, there is a different set of hypotheses. Perhaps Santa uses the key under the flowerpot or acts like a contortionist to go under the door or even through a faucet. Other questions raised are about Mr. Claus’s night vision, pets in the home and food preferences. In the end, there is no definitive answer to this holiday conundrum. Jon Klassen’s signature illustrations are done using graphite and ink and refined digitally. The reindeer, pictured standing on their two back legs, and Santa all sport serious faces as they deal with these  challenges. Some details will be sure to get a laugh, like the reindeer drinking a mug of cocoa or the cat’s wide-eyed expression on seeing the jolly old elf doing laundry.

THOUGHTS: A perfect read aloud, this picture book is sure to be a holiday classic. Children will want to listen to this one again and again. Highly recommended for all elementary collections. 

Picture Book