PreS-Gr 1 From the time he was born, Santa is a bit of a special child. From a booming laugh as a baby to a marked preference for red and cold weather as a toddler to the habit of rewrapping and giving away his presents, his ways set him apart from other children. Still, his parents adore him and know that someday he'll become something amazingmaybe a fireman, with all that red? Given his lifestyle choices, his eventual career as Santa Claus is the perfect one, as far as his proud parents are concerned. Santa as a youngster is a strapping, blond, cheerful lad, while his doting parents are plump and smileyin one scene, his mom wears a cheerful sundress and hat while his dad sports a polo shirt and sandals with white knee socks. VERDICT A fond, reassuring look at the eccentric childhood of a much-beloved holiday figure. Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library