Just opposite the dedication page, illustrator Chuck Groenink has us looking down upon an old typewriter, possibly from the 1920s or 1930s , with a typed letter explaining what a haiku is and how Santa loves them. Thus begins Santa’s own collection of haiku, “one for each day from December 1 to December 25, and catch a glimpse of life at the North Pole.”

December 7’s might be my personal favorite:

Navigating by

the stars, Comet and I drag

this year’s tree homeward.

Each of the 25 haiku is nestled in a muted sepia tinted illustration ( with some navy blue, red, and green) with a touch of Scandinavian influence and nostalgia.