A Christmas tradition, all round this land,
from the city to the country, from the bush to the sand,
in a shiny red truck instead of a sleigh,
Santa sets out on his jolly old way.
But this fire truck has seen better days. It creaks and rattles and groans as Santa makes his rounds. It will take a miracle to get through Christmas Eve…
During Christmastime all over Australia – from the bush to the ‘burbs – Santa arrives on the back of the fire truck! With beautiful illustrations by Nathaniel Eckstrom, this is a boisterous picture book that exudes joy and cheer.
Eckstrom is a CBCA-shortlisted illustrator and Nic McPickle is a fun-loving children’s author who hopes to meet the real Santa Claus one day. But as McPickle’s picture book Fire Truck Santa demonstrates, Christmas time is all about community spirit.
Just as he prepares to undertake with his annual present delivery run, Santa’s trusty fire truck seems to be falling apart in Fire Truck Santa. However, with each splutter, pop and unlit headlight, the very kids he’s delivering presents to help Santa along the way. Ultimately, when the truck can no longer withstand the kids’ fixes and patches, it’s the Aussie community’s help and luck that helps save a beloved time of year.
Eckstrom’s playful and dreamlike illustrations are as warm and energetic as your favourite local Santa. Vibrantillustrations of parents and kids, neighbours and teachers, and volunteer firefighters and rangers show that the spirit of Christmas is about coming together and lending a hand. I enjoyed how McPickle chose to have the kids in the story help Santa along his way each time, demonstrating that it always pays to be kind to others and lend a hand – a powerful message for readers aged 3+.
Fire Truck Santa is an energetic and delightful celebration of a wonderful Aussie tradition, and the ultimate end-of-year read. There’s a sweet dedication with love and thanks to volunteers around Australia, and, most of all, to the real-life Fire Truck Santa.
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