Santa's Sugar: A Christmas Story
Jane Gerencher
(Independently published, May 4, 2020)
SANTA'S SUGAR: A CHRISTMAS STORY revolves around a special gift of an adorable white kitten for Santa. Santa is delighted with the gift and names her Sugar. All the elves are excited about the gift that came from Mrs. Claus. When work in the workshop begins for the next holiday season, Santa tells the elves that he is looking for someone to care for Sugar while he works. Most of the elves eagerly volunteer, but Nugget, an insecure elf who has yet to find his place in the workshop after many tries, hangs back. After surveying the elves before him, Santa chooses Nugget. Not wanting to refuse Santa, Nugget musters up enough courage to promise Santa that he will do the best job. All goes well until the following Christmas when something unexpected happens and Nugget's world is turned upside down. Nugget makes a huge mistake and cannot figure his way out of it. All his newly acquired confidence fades and he is devastated. Not knowing what to do, he hides away and tearfully bemoans his situation. Fortunately for him, he is overheard by a friendly reindeer in training name Twizzle who comes to his rescue. After an exciting ride through the starry night, Nugget is able to fix the problem and to believe that he is indeed a true elf. SANTA'S SUGAR, the original illustrated hardback book, published in 2012 but no longer available, had been a popular buy for parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends seeking a new Christmas story for the children in their lives. With its elf characters, Sugar, a curious cat, and a kind reindeer named Twizzle, the story has themes of kindness, friendship, responsibility and understanding as the reader empathizes with an insecure, but lovable little elf named Nugget.JANE GERENCHER, the author, often inscribed the book with "Kindness is a gift we give to others and to ourselves," underscoring the importance and rewards of selflessness and and compassion.