Description
 It was the Christmas that almost wasn't. The weather that year was crazy - why, up at the North Pole, it was so hot, Santa's elves weren't in the mood to make toys. So Santa moved his whole workshop to a small town in Indiana, where it was plenty cold. In fact, it was too cold to snow - and, come to find out, Santa's elves needed to see SNOW to be in the mood to make toys. So, the young hero figures out just how to get that snow - and it's a wild tall tale, too. Full of nonsense, fun, and, finally - snow!! This hilarious tall tale will keep young readers giggling - and get even the Scroogiest old codgers in the mood for Christmas!!

   So Santa packed up and moved his whole workshop, elves, reindeer, and all. He looked for the coldest spot in the world and ended up settling right here. Said it felt more like the North Pole than the North Pole did.
   Turned out, we almost missed Christmas that year. Cold as it was, it had been as dry as corn shucks since August. Not a cloud in the sky for months. No rain. No Sleet, No snow. Not a flake.

 Reviews
"A tale taller than the Empire State Building. This is a fun-filled story with more hyperbole than a Christmas turkey has stuffing. Rollicking watercolors add to the action. Leave your skepticism at the door for this one. There won't be room for it when the snow starts flying!"
SLJ, 10/95

An unusual heat wave at the North Pole forces Santa to move his entire workshop to Lizard, Indiana, where temperatures are in the deep freeze. Unfortunately, a lack of snow deters the work, so young Maynard Jenkins pays a visit to an elderly neighbor lady rumored to be able to cast spells. She is more than willing to help out, but the storm she conjures has unexpected and hilarious results. Ketteman's fanciful tall tale is sure to attract young listeners, and Warhola's comical ink-and-watercolor illustrations capture the text's exaggerated humor. Particularly delightful are Santa's sunbathing elves and the bonfires lit to defrost the clouds. An appealing choice for holiday read-aloud or for older children learning to write their own tall tales.
Booklist - Kay Weisman

This laugh-out-loud tall tale hinges on a typical old-timer's reminiscing. Maynard Jenkins tells little Sissy McNab about the time it was so cold that...I won't spoil the rest, but suffice it to say that the plot involves a plan to create the perfect weather to put Santa and his elves in the proper mood for Christmas. The illustrations are priceless-I was especially amused by cows strung across tree limbs after an unfortunate accident.
Children's Literature - Dr. Judy Rowen