The Santa Thief, by Alane Adams, illustrated by Lauren Gallegos

In Alane Adams's The Santa Thief, it's Christmas 1929.  The Great Depression is just setting in and Georgie's parents tell him Santa won't be coming this year.  But he had his heart set on some new ice skates, and doesn't really see the purpose of decorating a tree if Santa's not coming.  After his mother gently reminds him that Christmas is about giving, not receiving, and, despite his young age, Georgie gets it.

Adams's text and the illustrations by Lauren Gallegos have a nostalgic, heart-warming feel.  The story is conventional and not terribly original, but the sentiment it conveys is timeless and always welcome.  In case you're wondering about the "thief," Adams has a couple of other books starring Georgie with "Thief" in the title.  Georgie isn't a thief, per se, unless you consider him stealing some of Santa's glory. . . .

The Santa Thief is not a bad little book, but I don't see it displacing any of my other Christmas favorites.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!