I heard myself describing my seasonal anxiety to an unsuspecting shop owner recently after her husband offhandedly assured me, ‘everything will be fine’.
She and I then confessed to each other, that ‘fine’ wholly depended on ‘us’. Meaning, ‘I am Christmas’.
So,
imagine the mollification I just about drowned in after reading, Mrs Claus.
In short, my pick of the fictional festive-flavoured picture book offerings for
the kiddies (and their Santa-moonlighting mamas or papas) this year.
My first impressions based on the ever-so-slightly cheesy, overtly candy-cane coloured cover were admittedly ones of hesitation. However, the fabulously foiled spine and immediate plunge into the storyline immediately put a freeze on any negative thoughts.
Fun,
frivolous but with a strong undercurrent of justification on the Claus front in
terms of job-claiming, Mrs Claus prances merrily along in delightful rhyming
verse with the sole purpose of highlighting the woman behind the man behind
Christmas.
She
is tag-lined as a multitasking, list-making, cocoa-fuelled legend. You
bet, baby! Can so relate. Which makes everything better, and this story
immediately more authentic and appreciable from an adult’s pov.
But
will the kids love it, too? Yes! Yes, they will, because every one loves
an unsung hero and the jollier than jolly illustrations that accompany this
believable parody on one of the world’s most well-known themes are so. Much. Fun!
It
is both hilarious and vindicating see Mrs Claus in the limelight. Full of refreshing
moments and enough Christmas verve and vibe (and colour!) to fill all your Christmas
stockings, Mrs Claus is a delightful must-read this season and beyond …
In the world of Christmas pantonmines, 'Do we love old Santa?' 'Yes, yes we do!' It's just that we now have a much deeper appreication for the incredible Mrs Claus, too.
Title: Mrs Claus
Author: Renee Price
Illustrator: Travis Price
Publisher: Affirm Press, $24.99
Publication Date: 26 August 2025
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781922992994
For ages: 3 – 7
Type: Picture Book
