Books

It’s a Wrap By Clare Brady

Christmas is but days away and Santa’s North Pole Workshop has run out of wrapping paper! Tensions hit a crisis point when Santa discovers the colony of animal Artists that paint the paper at his secret South Pole Wrapping Paper Factory, has gone on strike. Apprentice artist, Andy Warfox, a tiny Arctic Fox, leads the snap strike, after discovering Santa has never visited their factory, and that there are no songs or movies about the artists’ important role in giving presents their colorful wow factor under Holiday trees. In fact, barely anyone knows the important work they do hidden away in the South Pole. The strike spreads worldwide with decorations on family Christmas trees and in department store windows, walking off the job to join the movement. Andy is determined to teach Santa a lesson that everyone should be treated fairly and it’s wrapping paper that gives Christmas presents their important sense of wonder and anticipation. The strike ends in disaster, when the protestors are tricked and trapped in New York’s Central Park by a Punk Skunk Gang, lead by Sid Malicious. Andy travels to both confront and ask Santa for his help, and along the way triumphs over the Dragon of the North Wind, marauding polar bears and seals. As he works to set the artists free, he realizes his hubris was an issue. Andy achieves his dream – recognition of himself and his fellow artists and while the big man in red, Santa, might be the world’s busiest man, he also quickly learns a lesson in humility – resolves the issue – restoring Christmas happiness to everyone, even the vicious Central Park gang leader.