I’m Not Santa!
By Jonathan Allen
ISBN# 9781423113003

Baby Hare is convinced that Baby Owl, dressed in his red hat and gloves, is actually Santa Claus.  The simple humor and bright illustrations will appeal to young children.

School Library Journal

PreS-K

On Christmas Eve, Baby Hare sees Baby Owl on his way home from sledding and becomes absolutely sure that he is Santa. Nothing Baby Owl says ("And I am not big and fat like Santa! I'm very fluffy like a Baby Owl!") convinces the young hare. Frustrated, he begins to cry. Willing to try anything to get him to stop, Baby Owl admits that he is, in fact, Santa. Then Baby Hare begins to notice all the ways the owl is different from Santa, and starts crying because he's NOT Santa, which causes Baby Owl, who's been pretty patient, all things considered, to start crying, too. Never fear-all is smoothed over by the appearance of the man himself, and Baby Owl hurries home to tell his mama all about his experience. Large cartoon illustrations that will carry to the back of the room, and the opportunity for readers to express their inner toddler dramatically, will make this a holiday favorite.

Kirkus Reviews

Allen continues his amusing series about the ridiculously cute Baby Owl who in previous outings has declared himself "not cute!" and "not scared!" (2006, 2007). In this third offering, Baby Owl is wearing a Santa hat and pulling his stuffed-owl toy on a sled. Enter Baby Hare, who decides that Baby Owl must be Santa. An absolutely hilarious exchange follows as Baby Owl repeats that he is not Santa, Baby Hare insists that he is, the hare cries, the owl gives in and then the whole process is reversed until both are in tears. Can there be any doubt that these critters are two-year-olds? Only Santa himself can end the fuss, in a cameo appearance; he appears as just a pair of big black boots and furry red pants, in striking contrast to the tiny animals. Allen's simple but effective illustrations, with their heavily outlined characters, are a perfect match to his simple but effective story, and he has toddler sensibilities down to a T. Carry on, Baby Owl, and tell us what else you're not.