Santa from Cincinnati

Everything you ever wanted to know about Santa, as told to the author of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballsby the big guy himself (and his mom). As you might imagine, the early life of Santa Claus was a liiiiiiiittle different from the childhood of your average kid. His first words were "ho ho ho!" By five he was wearing a fake beard and mustache, and could rarely be found without his favorite stuffed reindeer. It was clear from a very young age that he was destined for uniqueness.... Despite this, his parents went to great lengths to keep the normalcy in his life. They had him learn guitar (he was in a rock band!), and play baseball (he had quite an arm), and even do chores (okayhere he was like any other kid on earthhe hated chores). But there was no stopping Santa from being Santa, and one winter, he began to make his lists. He checked them twice, and delivered toys to children all over Cincinnati. Then, all over Ohio. Thenthe world. Compiled from his baby book, family photos, newspaper clippings, and report cards, Santa from Cincinnatiprovides a full spectrum view of the boy who grew to be the man who grew to be Santa.

Judi Barrett is the author of many beloved books for children, including the bestselling Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Pickles to Pittsburgh, Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing, Lots More Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing, Santa from Cincinnati, and An Excessive Alphabet. She teaches art to kindergarten students at a school in her Brooklyn neighborhood.

Kevin Hawkes has illustrated more than forty books for children, included the New York Times bestseller The Library Lion, Weslandia, Michael Ian Black’s A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea, and Santa in Cincinatti. He lives in Southern Maine, where he can be found wandering aimlessly in his garden, unless forced indoors, where he creates imaginary landscapes with cobalt blue skies.