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    Santa's Apprentice
    Santa's Apprentice
    Santa's Apprentice
    Ebook174 pages2 hours

    Santa's Apprentice

    By Freya and Mick Jobe

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Max Thompson never expected his Christmas wish to come true—especially not one like this. When he asks Santa for something different this year, he's in for the surprise of his life: an invitation to become Santa's apprentice at the North Pole.

    But being Santa's helper isn't as easy—or as magical—as Max imagined. Between managing mischievous elves, learning how to fly the reindeer, and figuring out how to deliver millions of gifts in one night, Max quickly realizes the job comes with more responsibility than he ever thought possible. And with Christmas just around the corner, time is running out for Max to prove he's up to the task.

    Join Max on a heartwarming, adventure-filled journey as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas and what it really takes to spread holiday magic. Santa's Apprentice is the perfect holiday tale for middle-grade readers, filled with festive fun, magical mishaps, and an unforgettable adventure at the North Pole.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherFreya and Mick Jobe
    Release dateOct 4, 2024
    ISBN9798227613844
    Santa's Apprentice

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      Book preview

      Santa's Apprentice - Freya and Mick Jobe

      Every year, children across the world write letters to Santa Claus, asking for toys, games, and all the wonders their imaginations can dream up. They believe in the magic of Christmas—the jolly man in the red suit, his team of flying reindeer, and the elves who work day and night to make their wishes come true. But what if, just once, Santa didn’t work alone? What if he needed help?

      Max Thompson, a curious and spirited twelve-year-old, never thought his letter to Santa would lead to anything extraordinary. After all, he was just a kid from a quiet town, no different from any of the other millions of children who sent their wish lists to the North Pole every December. But this year, Max didn’t ask for a toy. He didn’t ask for a bike, or video games, or even a puppy. He asked for something no one ever had before—he asked to help Santa.

      What Max didn’t know was that Santa had been watching him closely. Each year, Santa looks for someone special—someone with enough courage, kindness, and heart to understand the true meaning of Christmas. And this year, Santa had found that person in Max.

      Invited to the North Pole to become Santa’s apprentice, Max is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. But as he soon discovers, being Santa is a lot more complicated—and a lot less glamorous—than he ever imagined. There are reindeer to wrangle, time-bending tricks to learn, and impossible decisions to make about who belongs on the Naughty and Nice List. And with Christmas just around the corner, Max will have to figure out if he’s ready for the responsibility, or if he’s bitten off more than he can chew.

      This is the story of Max’s year as Santa’s apprentice, a year filled with magic, mishaps, and a lesson that goes far beyond delivering gifts. For as Max will soon learn, the heart of Christmas isn’t found in the presents under the tree—it’s found in the joy and kindness we give to others.

      Let the sleigh bells ring, the snowflakes fall, and the adventure begin.

      Chapter 1: The Letter to Santa

      Max Thompson sat at his bedroom window, watching the snow fall softly outside. The world outside was a blanket of white, transforming his quiet suburban street into a winter wonderland. Twinkling Christmas lights glowed from every house, casting a soft, colorful glow on the snow-covered ground. It was only a week until Christmas, and the excitement had been building for days.

      But this year felt different to Max. He wasn’t as excited about the toys and presents he might find under the tree on Christmas morning. Sure, he had circled a few things in the toy catalogue his mom had left on the kitchen table, but he kept thinking about something bigger, something more meaningful.

      Max had always loved Christmas—the decorations, the music, the smell of cookies baking in the oven. But what he loved most of all was the idea of Santa Claus. The thought of one man traveling the world in a single night, spreading joy to children everywhere, filled Max with wonder. Every year, he would stay up late, hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa, but each year, he’d fall asleep before the magic could happen.

      This year, though, Max had a different idea. He had decided that it wasn’t enough to just wait for Santa. He wanted to help. Max wanted to be a part of the magic.

      He glanced down at the piece of paper in front of him—a blank sheet, ready for his Christmas wish list. Every year, he’d write the same kinds of things: a new video game, a bike, maybe a cool robot or a drone. But this time, Max wanted to ask for something no one had ever asked for before. He wanted to help Santa deliver gifts.

      He picked up his pencil, his heart beating a little faster. Would Santa even see his letter? Would he think it was silly? Max wasn’t sure, but he knew one thing: he had to try.

      He began writing carefully, his hand steady as he formed each word.

      Dear Santa,

      It’s me, Max Thompson. You’ve probably heard from me every year since I was little. I hope you’re doing well and the elves and reindeer are ready for Christmas. I bet you’re super busy right now!

      This year, I don’t want to ask for toys or games (well, maybe one or two would be cool). Instead, I have a special request. I want to help you deliver gifts on Christmas Eve.

      I know it must be a really tough job flying around the world in one night, and I think I could help make things easier. I could be your apprentice! I’ll work hard, I promise. I’m good at following directions and I’ve always wanted to see the North Pole. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

      Sincerely,

      Max Thompson

      Max paused for a moment, reading over what he’d written. It was bold, for sure, but that was the point. He didn’t want an ordinary Christmas this year. He wanted something magical, something different. Satisfied with his letter, he folded it carefully and slid it into an envelope. With a big smile, he wrote To Santa Claus, North Pole on the front and drew a little snowflake beside it for extra flair.

      The next morning, after breakfast, Max rushed outside, his boots crunching through the snow. He ran to the red mailbox at the end of the street, where the local mail carrier always picked up letters. His breath puffed in the cold air as he slipped the envelope into the slot, closing his eyes for a moment as he made a silent wish.

      Please let Santa read it, he whispered, watching the snow fall around him. Please let him need my help this year.

      Max went about the rest of his day, trying not to think too much about the letter. His older sister, Emily, had laughed when he told her about his idea.

      Max, Santa’s been doing this for, like, forever, she said. He doesn’t need help from a kid.

      But Max didn’t let her words discourage him. He knew deep down that Santa would see his letter, that somehow, this year would be different. And as the days passed and Christmas crept closer, his excitement grew.

      On Christmas Eve, Max couldn’t sit still. His family had spent the day decorating cookies, wrapping presents, and watching Christmas movies, but all Max could think about was his letter. He kept imagining what it would be like to fly through the night sky with Santa, delivering presents and seeing all the different places around the world. As the night wore on, Max’s excitement turned into a quiet anticipation.

      When it was finally time for bed, Max slipped under the covers but kept his eyes wide open. His parents had already tucked him in and wished him goodnight, and Emily had gone to bed without saying anything else about his letter to Santa. Max glanced at his bedside clock. It was almost midnight.

      I’ll stay awake this time, he whispered to himself. I won’t fall asleep. I have to see him.

      The house was silent, the only sound the ticking of the clock and the occasional creak of the floorboards as the house settled. Max lay still, his heart thumping as he imagined hearing the jingle of sleigh bells or the soft thud of boots on the roof. The minutes ticked by, and soon, his eyelids grew heavy. He blinked slowly, fighting to stay awake, but the warmth of the blankets and the peaceful quiet of the house made it harder and harder to keep his eyes open.

      Just as Max was about to drift off, he heard a sound—a soft rustling, like the wind brushing against the window. He opened his eyes, his heart racing.

      Was it Santa?

      Chapter 2: A Christmas Surprise

      Max woke up on Christmas Eve morning feeling a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. He had never asked Santa for something so big before, and now that his letter was sent, he couldn’t help but wonder what would happen. Would Santa really read it? Could he actually become Santa’s apprentice? Max had spent the last few days imagining what it might be like—flying in the sleigh, delivering gifts, and seeing the North Pole with his own eyes.

      But as the day wore on and the usual Christmas Eve activities filled the house—baking cookies, decorating the tree, and wrapping last-minute gifts—Max began to doubt whether his wish was even possible. After all, he was just a kid, and Santa had been doing this job for centuries. What did he know about being Santa’s apprentice? Maybe his sister Emily was right. Maybe it was a silly idea.

      Still, a part of him held onto the hope that tonight would be different.

      Max, can you bring these cookies to the table? his mom called from the kitchen, where the smell of freshly baked sugar cookies and cinnamon filled the air.

      Sure, Mom! Max said, grabbing the plate and heading to the dining room. He tried to focus on the familiar warmth of the holiday, but the thought of his letter lingered in the back of his mind. As much as he tried to shake it, the feeling that something magical could happen tonight wouldn’t leave him alone.

      The day passed in a blur of holiday preparations. Max’s dad was busy hanging lights outside, while his mom wrapped presents with Emily, who seemed more focused on teasing Max than helping out.

      So, what do you think Santa will bring you? Emily asked with a smirk as they sat by the tree, the twinkling lights reflecting in her eyes.

      Max shrugged, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of knowing how much he was hoping his letter would get a response. I dunno. Maybe some new video games, he said casually.

      Emily laughed. Right. You know, even if Santa did get your letter, he’s too busy to let a kid like you help out. He’s probably got a whole team of professional elves doing that already.

      Max forced a smile and shrugged again, but inside, her words stung. Emily was always teasing him about believing in the magic of Christmas, calling him a dreamer. But this year, Max had been hoping for something more—something real.

      By the time dinner was over and the family had settled in for a movie, Max’s excitement had been replaced by a sense of quiet anticipation. He knew better than to expect Santa to just show up at his front door, but part of him still hoped for some kind of sign that his wish had been heard. Just a little something to let him know that Santa had read his letter and that he was considered.

      It was getting late when his parents told him and Emily to head to bed. The snow outside was falling softly, blanketing the world in a peaceful white glow, and Max found himself staring out the window of his room, his breath fogging up the glass as he watched the flakes drift down. It felt like the world was waiting for something—something magical.

      Max climbed into bed, pulling the blankets up to his chin, but sleep was the last thing on his mind. He tried to stay awake, hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa or hear the jingle of sleigh bells in the distance. But as the minutes ticked by, his eyelids grew heavy, and the soft sounds of the house settling lulled him into a quiet, dreamless sleep.

      He wasn’t sure how long he’d been asleep when something woke him—a soft noise, like a rustle of fabric or the sound of someone moving quietly through the room. Max blinked, his eyes adjusting to the darkness, and for a moment, he thought he must have imagined it. The room was still, the shadows from the tree lights flickering faintly on the walls.

      And then he saw him.

      Standing at the foot of Max’s bed, silhouetted against the dim light, was a figure in a red suit. Max’s heart skipped a beat. He blinked, rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. But when he opened them again, the figure was still there.

      Santa? Max whispered, his voice barely audible.

      The figure stepped forward, revealing the unmistakable features Max had seen in every holiday movie and Christmas decoration—rosy cheeks, a fluffy white beard, and a kind, twinkling smile.

      Hello, Max, Santa said, his voice warm and gentle.

      Max sat up in bed, his

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