Don Kennedy (4)

Who doesn't want to read something sweet and funny right now? We all need whatever help we can get to put a smile on our faces, I think. You can't go wrong by reading Don Kennedy's Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus. I heartily enjoyed the second volume of a trilogy, this one containing over 200 sometimes sweet, sometimes hilarious, almost always heart-warming (and occasionally saddening) entries. Kennedy's first volume of Kids Say was published in 2019 following the great interest shown in his Santa experiences described on his Facebook page.

Kennedy was a volunteer Santa for 25 years, appearing for several hours each time – unlike the few minutes a Santa is able to give children at shopping malls. In the introduction, he explains that he appeared as Santa for charities and organizations that could not afford to pay for a visit. He recounts stories collected from Boys and Girls Clubs, hospitals, military bases, women's and children's shelters, schools, churches and the like.
This volume separates the funny things kids say into categories like Parents and Grandparents, Siblings, The Naughty List and The Doubters. There is a chapter centered on the jokes children tell Santa and one featuring the many “couples” who want to inform Santa about their plans to be “marriaged.”

I could never have imagined how honest, forthright and unfiltered the kids were. Kennedy records their comments about how fat Santa has become – “I'm thinking you might want to try the air vent” because he might otherwise get stuck in the chimney, for example. They ask whether Rudolph's nose is red for the same reason their uncle's is, drinking a lot. And one child tells Santa that if he ever gets divorced from Mrs. Claus,”my Nana's quite a catch.”
Knowing that Kennedy has freely given his time for so many years, it makes sense that he, unknowingly, shows us his creativity and deep compassion – evident in his part of the many conversations. He is respectful with every child; he has the rare ability to recognize what children are really saying, what they need to hear, what will make the most sense or will help the most.
I expected the laugh and smile while reading this book, but I didn't expect to be so touched at the same time. I plan to acquire the 3rd volume soon. It doesn't have to be Christmas to derive joy from kids and Santa Claus.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)