Karl Steam

Sometimes, I just gotta check out a book to see of it's any good for one of my ten grandchildren. This series is rated for ages 7-11 year olds and grades 2-6. It is a really good adventure series that's a bit more modern, and they learn a few things about nature. At the back of the book, the author includes a few brief facts about what was discovered during the adventure. It has real photos with drawn, cartoon-like, characters inserted into the photos of the kid's adventures.

While in school, the kids secretly downloaded a nature app on their phone that was suppose to help them identify their leaf. But, when they clicked on the app, and clicked on the 'I agree' button, the app transported them to some unknown place in the woods by a lake. The app gave them one assignment...to shoot a moose. The kids learn there is more than one way to "shoot" a moose, and it's not always with a gun. When they fulfill their assignment given by the app, then they would be transported back to their classroom. They tried to delete the app from the phone, but it can't be removed.… (más)

What a lovely Christmas tale! With a bit of a traditional flair, this story starts at the beginning and demonstrates how even Santa Claus had to learn a few things to become as wonderful as he is.

Santa Claus always wanted to make children smile with his gifts—hand-made ones from him alone. While this worked for many years, the world's population increased. Not only did he work constantly to make toys but even the moose pulling his sleigh couldn't handle the increasing weight of presents. Mrs. Claus tries to persuade him to find help, but he insists that children expect to have gifts from him and only him. One Christmas night, it all becomes too much and surprising things happen.

I'm not sure why, but I went into this book a little bit uncertain about what I'd find. My concerns were completely unnecessary. This is a wonderful Christmas story, which adds a lovely dimension to Santa Claus while not changing his image and sticking to the traditional atmosphere. Santa Claus is the warm-hearted character children love, and he loves the children. Mrs. Claus adds a nice touch with her cookie baking escapades. The look into Santa's past, only makes him more of an inspiration.

The illustrations fit the tale as nicely as marshmallows to hot chocolate. They accompany the text, making it clear what is happening but, at the same time, adding emotions and details in all the right ways. The style is more traditional like the story and has the same loving touch that Santa gives his toys. It's a treat to flip through them.

There's a nice message in the story too. Change is not always bad and sometimes necessary, and sometimes, this requires accepting help from others. It's a message of giving and accepting—right along Christmas lines.… (más)

Before Santa had help with reindeers and elves he made all the toys and traveled on his own. As time went on the world got bigger and santa could not do everything on his own so he searched for help.

The rhyming scheme is excellent and a great story to read out loud. The story really fits into Santa’s background that most of us know. It seems very plausible and shows Santa’s human side. The side that stresses, worries and gets tired.

I think only thing I am not fond of is the title, How Santa Changed. I don't really know what title would be better. I just felt like the title did not grab me and honestly did not make me want to read it.

Even though my issues with the title are there. I am glad I did read it. It is one of those surprise books that you think you are not going to like but then like it more than you did.… (más)