Waiting for Santa

Waiting for Santa by Lucy Cochran & Heidi McKinnon (Allen & Unwin) HB PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9781760526719

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks 

Lucy Cochran is an award-winning advertising professional who lives in Melbourne with her husband and two daughters. 

Heidi McKinnon is a children's book author and illustrator from Melbourne. She has a background in art and design and creates books that are bright and fun. Mc Kinnon has received numerous award nominations.

Having a family photo taken with Santa is one of the best things about Christmas! But if the line is long and your legs are little, and you are not good at waiting, something is bound to happen.

Lucy Cochran has created a unique Christmas story about what many families do at Christmas time - have a family photo with Santa. The opening spreads introduce where the family is going and what they are doing. Ren and Harry have spent all morning writing their lists for Santa. ‘C’mon kids! Time to go,’ Mum shouts again, ‘Santa is waiting!’ The dialogue is true to real life and the adult and child voices are distinct and spot on. I love the creation of mischief when Harry decides to sneak Moloko the cat along. It adds such an element of fun and drama.

Cochran shines a light upon the efforts that parents make for their children. ‘Seven thousand elf steps until Santa?’ says Ren. ‘Don’t worry, elves have little legs,’ says Mum. ‘But I have little legs, too,’ sighs Harry. The word choices are cute, adorable and on theme. The story builds with the trip to the shops and the long, long line and then Harry lets the cat out. The story entices the reader to page turn to find out more. The ending brings smiles and is satisfying because Cochran has shared the creative space with Mc Kinnon.

Heidi Mc Kinnon’s unique style works well with this text. The colour palette is Christmasy and bright. Mc Kinnon’s trademark sense of play appears. Perspective zooms in and out and I love that it highlights kids are little and adults are big. The funny facial expressions of Moloko the cat are eye-catching. Mc Kinnon brings into play the busyness of life and this time of year. The illustrations on certain spreads are busy with weaving, looping roads, lines and lines of people, escalators full of people going up and down and a crowded shopping centre. Attention to detail shows in the layout of the book and how the spreads match and enhance the text. Without spoiling the ending it is a good one with Moloko the cat a standout winner.

Waiting for Santa is a fun Christmas picture book for children 3-6 who will enjoy seeing a beloved Christmas tradition in story.  Preschool and Infants teachers will enjoy using this book at the end of the school year and parents will find it appealing too. This book may find itself in quite a few Christmas stockings too.