Super Santa: The Science of Christmas

The tech-savvy elven team behind the famous red suit explains the mechanics of how Santa delivers presents in one night. From the sheer number of gifts (“They could stretch three times around Earth”) and resulting weight (“three Empire State Buildings”) to St. Nick’s suit (which “needs to handle all the heat and pressure that comes with such high-speed travel”), Hale conveys the science in snappy, easily digestible dialogue. Francis, who “used software to manipulate the composite photographs for this book,” depicts various odds and ends needed to pull off the night in art that amplifies the author’s jokes: spreads that include elves of various skin tones depict Santa Claw machinery and Super Sled Shox. A rollicking tale that explains how Santa’s trip requires “a little science and engineering and a whole lot of Christmas magic.” Ages 4–8. (Sept.)