Santa's parents think their little one is absolutely wonderful, even though he has a booming voice instead of a baby's gurgle, loves to stand in front of the refrigerator, gives his birthday presents away, trains his hamsters to pull a matchbox sleigh ... and has an unusual interest in chimneys. The adorably funny portrait of an oddball kid who fulfills his destiny - and two very proud parents.

Linda Bailey a jonglé longtemps avec l'idée d'écrire, mais ce n'est qu'après avoir eu ses deux filles qu'elle a lancé sa carrière d'auteure. Elle a écrit des albums, des romans et aussi des livres informatifs. Linda a beaucoup voyagé dans sa vie et ses livres aussi! Certains sont publiés en Chine, en Corée, en Australie, en Grèce, en Pologne et dans de nombreux autres pays.

Linda Bailey has written more than twenty books for children in a number of different genres, including the best-selling Stanley-the-dog series, Toads on Toast, and most recently, If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur (Si jamais tu avais un dinosaure...). Linda has garnered a long list of honours in Canada such as the Ontario Blue Spruce Award, the Atlantic Provinces Hackmatack Award and the Arthur Ellis Award. She lives in Vancouver, BC.

Linda Bailey's profile page

GENEVIÈVE GODBOUT habite à Montréal où elle travaille en tant qu’illustratrice. Elle a étudié en animation traditionnelle au Cégep du Vieux-Montréal avant de poursuivre sa formation à l’école des Gobelins à Paris. Geneviève fait des illustrations pour des clients dans le domaine de l’édition et de la mode. Elle est l’illustratrice de l’album Quand le père Noël était petit… qui a remporté le Prix jeunesse des libraires du Québec 2017, catégorie 0 à 5 ans.

GENEVIÈVE GODBOUT lives in Montreal where she works as an illustrator. She studied traditional animation at Cégep du Vieux-Montréal and at the prestigious Gobelins school in Paris. Geneviève illustrates for clients in the fields of publishing and fashion. She is the illustrator of the picture book Quand le père Noël était petit... which won the Prix jeunesse des libraires du Québec in 2017 in the 0 to 5 years category.

Geneviève Godbout's profile page

• Winner, Prix des Libraires Award
• Winner, Chocolate Lily Award
• Short-listed, Shining Willow Award

SELECTION - Today's Parent 52 Jolly Christmas Books for Kids
PRAISE FOR When Santa Was a Baby:

"He’s an unusual baby: a booming voice, an interest in chimneys, a penchant for standing naked in front of the open refrigerator, enjoying the chill. Later, on Christmas, he rewraps his gifts and gives them to other children. His puzzled but besotted parents shower him with praise and predictions of future greatness. With retro-esque art featuring people whose giant black eyes look ever so slightly crazed, it’s a sweet, gently satirical answer to the eternal question, How did Santa become Santa?" --New York Times Book Review

“Delightfully illustrated, this will become a family favorite.” --Yakima Herald-Republic

"Simple illustrations with white backgrounds use textured surfaces and blurred edges that provide a nostalgic feel of remembered childhood. . . . There have been several recent stories about Santa's origins, but this one is the shortest and simplest, accessible to the youngest of Santa's fans." --Kirkus Reviews

"[A] clever take on the Santa myth that develops him as a character with his own thoughts and motivations. . . . Godbout’s cozy artwork gives the book the feel of a classic while also offering some cheeky moments – as when a young Santa stands naked in front of an open fridge, trying to cool down." --Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

"A fond, reassuring look at the eccentric childhood of a much-beloved holiday figure." --School Library Journal
"Warm, textured pastel and colored-pencil illustrations on generous double-page spreads enrich this gentle, humorous, love-suffused tale." --Horn Book Magazine

"Warmth and softness abound, with each character sporting rosy round cheeks and button-black eyes. The art evokes a vintage style that further strengthens and supports the book’s nostalgic appeal. When Santa Was a Baby will make a wonderful addition to any holiday-book collection. Sure to spread joy to readers of all ages year after year, much like the jolly old man in red himself." --Quill & Quire