The Night Santa Got Lost: How NORAD Saved Christmas
Michael Keane, Author
Michael Garland, Illustrator
Regnery Kids, Fiction, 2012
Suitable for Ages: 4 and up
Themes: Santa, Christmas, NORAD, Military, Teamwork
Opening/Synopsis: ‘Twas the night before Christmas at NORAD’s home base/ Not an airman was stirring, each one was in place/Ready and waiting for the very first sight/Of good old St. Nick on his Christmas Eve flight.” Every year the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks Santa as he delivers gifts to children worldwide. But, Santa and his reindeer get lost in a blizzard. He disappears from their radar. Will NORAD be able to find Santa with their high-tech equipment and help Santa deliver presents to the children in the world? Children will love the suspense and the illustrations.
Why I like this book: Michael Keane has written a beautiful picture book in the style of Clement Clark Moore’s The Night Before Christmas. Every year millions of children track Santa on the NORAD Santa Tracker. I especially like how Keane shows children the humanitarian side of the military. The generals worldwide come together to develop a plan and teach kids about teamwork during a crisis. They learn military language and the compassion of all services worldwide to serve the greater good. There is even an element of suspense with the involvement of Special Ops teams. The book speaks to the true nature of Christmas when we can set aside our difference and remember our humanity. Michael Garland’s artwork is eye-popping. His digital illustrations are bold, colorful, lively and will engage both young and older readers in looking at the detail.
Favorite Stanzas: “The Commander-in-Chief was handed a phone/ Scramble the fighter jets/Send up a drone!/For both red state and blue state, this is a real threat!/It’s even much worse than our national debt!”
“Go Army! Go Marines! Go Navy and Air Force!/Call in the Reservists and the Guardsmen, of course!/To the ends of the earth, help with Santa’s big haul!/ Now march away! Fly away! Sail away, all!”
Resources. There are six wonderful pages of history about how the tradition began in 1955 with a very funny story involving an ad in the newspaper and a wrong phone number. Have your kids track Santa on the NORAD Santa Tracker on December 24, to check on Santa’s location in the world. They can map Santa’s progress and learn about time zones. NORAD volunteers take kids phone calls and respond to e-mails. NORAD actually begins the countdown on December 1, so kids can visit the site daily.
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Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
This sounds terrific, Pat! A new Christmas book! And with all the branches of the armed forces – I think a lot of kids – boys especially – will get a kick out of it. My son would have loved it when he was little. I am always a Michael Garland fan, so I’m sure the art is amazing. I will have to check this one out! 🙂
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Susanna, both boys and girls will enjoy this fun and suspenseful book by Michael Keane. Michael Garland’s illustrations jump off of the pages — they are beautiful and have a 3D look to them. I worked for the AF and have followed the tracking myself for years and wondering why I never thought of this! It’s perfect for kids today!
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That’s super, Pat. Norad is great for kids, what a fun current book. I wish I’d have started christmas ones now 😉
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Catherine, you’d really have fun with the rhyming! It’s hilarious! And, the illustrations beautiful.
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I love your favorite lines! I also love the trailer! I want this book! 🙂
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Erik, you will love this book! It’s right up your alley. Josie will love it too. And, if you aren’t tracking Santa on he website, you should check it out.
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Mom said we can go track him on his website! We are going to see if the book is in our library too. 🙂
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Great — I think you and Josie will have fun! I enjoy tracking him too. The NORAD site launced on Saturday so you can check it out daily. But, Dec. 24 is the big day! Have fun!
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Also a Michael Garland fan here! Great PPBF addition, Pat.
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Cathy thanks! He’s one of my favorite illustrators! This book is sure to be a hit with the kids. Kudos to the author too for coming up with the idea.
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What a fun, funny idea! Too bad even my youngest is skeptical of Santa. (Those naughty, blabbermouth older siblings.) 🙂 But I think all three would still have fun with this.
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Michelle, Since NORAD is involved and they can go online and follow Santa, I think they’d have fun with this book. I enjoy checking out the site on Dec. 24 too. But, the site opens tomorrow.
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What a brilliant idea. Kids will just love this. I hadn’t heard o tracing Santa – love it. Great choice, Pat.
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Yes it is a brilliant idea for a book, especially with the NORAD tracking for kids on Christmas Eve. You’d really like Michael’s illustrations!
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So clever! I love a book about teamwork. Mom and I are a Therapy Dog team at the VA Home. We totally “get” teamwork. It’s a good lesson for kids. Be a team and get things done!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Genevieve, HA! HA! Love it. Yes teamwork is an important lesson to for children to learn. And, there is a lot of teamwork in this book!
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Very cool! The trailer is great. Never heard of the NORAD tracking. I’ll have to check it out.
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Pam, thanks for stopping. The book is a delightful story! You must check on NORAD tracking, especially Dec. 24. The site opens tomoroww.
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This sounds great, Pat. It’s nice to see a positive and upbeat book about the military. So often those stories have a hint of sadness (e.g. parents separated from children, or affected negatively by war). Those are important, too, but it’s nice to hear about a book with a military theme that has nothing to do with war and separation.
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Carrie, I agree. I think it showcases for children how the military is a humanitarian organization ready to help at a moment’s notice. I know — I worked for the USAF. And, the services work together.
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After reading your review and watching the video clip I’m completely sold on this book. My class would love it! Thanks.
Barbara
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
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Barbara, I was sold on this book too. It’s a great classroom book! Hope your students enjoy!
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I’m looking for some children’s Christmas books to read this month and this one sounds great. Off to request it from the library =)
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Amanda, it’s a big kids book too! I loved it!
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HaHaHa!! This one looks really funny! I’ll have to check this one out! I love Santa!
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You will love this book — it is hilarious! But it shows the kids the humanitarian side of the military. Know you’ll love it!
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I LOVE Christmas books, and especially rewrites of The Night Before Christmas :•) The trailer is awesome, and so are the opening lines, and your favorite lines! Of course, the illustrations put me in the Christmas spirit in a BIG way! This is on my list!
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Penny, Am glad you enjoyed the book so much — I love rewrites of The Night Before Christmas — and you will delight in this one! Illustations are fabulous!
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True confession time — I follow NORAD’s tracking of Santa on Christmas Eve, too — it is so cool! I know I’d love this book. (And I can think of some kids who would, too… they just might be getting a present!) Thanks, Pat!
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Beth, I’ve been tracking Santa on NORAD for years. Each year the site gets better. And, now a wonderful book to go with it!
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Oh my, we track Santa down here too. What a brilliant idea for a book. Beautiful illustrations! Thanks Pat, great choice.
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Diane, glad you liked the book idea. It is a wonderful story with beautiful illustrations. Do you follow the NORAD tracking or does New Zeland have a tracking system? Tracking begins around NZ.
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What a great way to incorporate an awareness for the military. I grew up as a military kid, but I think a lot of kids might not have an understanding–especially of the humanitarian side, like you mentioned. Another great pick!
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Coleen, I am glad he showcased the humanitarian part of the military. I worked for the Air Force so I’m aware of a lot of things done that don’t make the news.
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I am glad to see this aspect of the military exposed. The military do so much good in third world countries also when deployed as peace=keeping forces, often feeding people and helping when disaster strikes. This is how I wish they would always serve, as I am anti-war.
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Niamh, the military does so much good in third world countries. Share some of you similar feelings.
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