About the Holiday
For kids who celebrate Christmas, writing a letter to Santa Claus is an exciting and hopeful activity. Their lists of things they’d like for themselves and often for family and friends, too, can include the practical, the impossible, and the poignant. Today’s holiday reminds children that to make sure their letter reaches Santa at the North Pole in time, it’s best to get started this week. Two programs sponsored by the United States Postal System also address the wishes of children at this time of year:
1) Operation Santa welcomes letters from children and individuals in need, which are adopted by generous people and organizations for fulfillment on their own or from an online gift catalog. Letters are currently being accepted with a deadline of December 5. Registration for becoming an adopter is open now, with letter adoption beginning November 16. For more information, visit the USPS Operation Santa website.
2) Parents who would like for their child to receive a reply to their letter to Santa postmarked from the North Pole can visit the USPS Greetings from the North Pole website to learn how parents, grandparents, or other adults can write “Santa’s” personalized reply letter, address an envelope, and send these, along with their child’s letter, to the North Pole Postmark program in Anchorage, Alaska. Letters are recommended to be sent between November 23 and December 1.
Letters to Santa
Written by Cathy Breisacher | Illustrated by Hannah Battermann
At this time of year, the North Pole is bustling as elves make toys and the reindeer are trained. While Santa loves all this excitement, his “favorite thing to do / Is read the mail delivered by / The Postal Office crew. Amid Christmas carols, twinkling lights, and special holiday treats, kids around the world are dreaming big and writing to Santa to “share what’s in their hearts.” From Western Cape, South Africa Jabari writes to Father Christmas asking for a “‘model car or boat,'” while Marcelo from Brazil wishes Papai Noel and his elves well before asking for new books.
In Germany, Emma pens a wistful note to Weihnachtsmann: “‘I think I’m on your Good Kid list / I’ve helped my baby brother / So could I have a teddy bear / and perfume for my mother?'” Clayton, from Memphis, Tennessee, is also thinking of someone else during a lean Christmas, telling Santa Claus, “‘My dad is in the Army / He is stationed overseas. / My Gram may need a little help / With buying groceries.'” These kids are joined by children from Canada, Italy, Japan, and other countries in sending their wishes to the North Pole, where Postal elves wait at the train station to gather and sort the letters before taking them to Santa.
“‘Ho Ho Ho!'” Santa cheers as he reads each letter and loads the gifts onto his sleigh to deliver Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, happy children “shout their thanks to dear St. Nick / For treating them so well.”
A glossary of words for “thank-you” in a variety of languages, including pronunciation, follows the story.
Cathy Breisacher’s jaunty Christmas story celebrates the hopeful excitement and generosity of the season as children from around the world ask Santa for gifts—both playful and practical— for themselves and for others that they love. Readers will be delighted to learn the different names Santa is known by in a variety of countries through Breisacher’s lovely rhymes. The warmth of each child’s request poignantly emphasizes the heart behind this beloved holiday tradition
Hannah Battermann’s enchanting folk-style illustrations will charm readers with their fresh wintery colors, whimsical landscapes, and an imaginative mix of solid and delicately outlined images. Her adorable children share expressions of hope and earnestness as they write to Santa Claus and invite readers to join them. Each page is sweetly decorated with details that will captivate young readers.
A beautiful ode to the spirit of Christmas around the world, Letters to Santa would be a charming addition to any library collection and home bookshelf to share the excitement of pre-Christmas preparations.
Ages 5 – 9
Reycraft Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1478891888
About the Author
Cathy Breisacher is an elementary school librarian who believes stories help connect children around the world. She enjoys writing books that inspire, entertain, and capture children’s imagination. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, who worked as a mail carrier and handled many letters to Santa. Visit her at cathybreisacher.com.
About the Illustrator
Hannah Batterman is an illustrator and graphic designer from Düsseldorf, Germany. From her studio, she blends handcrafted paper collages with digital art to bring playful and heartfelt children’s stories to life. Each piece is filled with charming details—whether it’s the flutter of a leaf, a curious glance, or the hidden magic of a paper cutout—capturing the wonder of childhood. She has contributed to several books.
Dear Santa Letter Week Activity
Dear Santa Letter Page
It’s time to write a letter to Santa! Have fun coloring this printable template then use it for your letter or wish list!
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