Just when you think there's no new spin to put on Christmas, you get a very pleasant surprise… literally. The Last Santa by S. H. Langford takes readers on a magical journey to the North Pole where they're privy to the inside story about how Santa and his elves put on the mega-worldwide production known as Christmas. It's a wonderful journey of discovery and revelation — a fun story that parents and grandparents will enjoy reading to youngsters. Best of all, The Last Santa has many layers of meaning that make the story even more interesting to kids of all ages.

The tale opens with a young elf-in-training named JoJo, who totally startles Nani, Monitor Elf in charge of her warren of 13 "new" elves, with the question: "Are humans real?"

This seemingly innocent inquiry launches Nani into a frenzy of research to see if any other young elves ever posed such a question. For many years, the North Pole has been free of controversy, but Nani is concerned there could be another upheaval like the one caused by that troublesome reindeer with the nose that glowed…

As hardworking and dedicated as JoJo is, she has trouble concentrating and things start going a bit wrong when she's on the job. Nani takes her to meet Tibit, who realizes that JoJo wondering if humans are real also questions the very purpose of the elves' existence. The young elf leads the older elf, who's in charge of Interspecies Relations, into a philosophical discussion that results in Tibit taking her to speak with Santa himself.

It seems that Santa knows exactly what's wrong – the other elves, who are upset by any changes to the status quo, feel threatened by JoJo as she's a free-thinking nonconformist. But Santa knows there's nothing really wrong with the young elf who, in human terms, is in her 60s. In fact, Santa decides that JoJo needs a special job and sends her on a very important mission with Frit, a fairy, and Bort, a gnome…

To go further into this engaging tale will spoil the surprises in store for readers of The Last Santa, published in August 2017.

Langford based JoJo on a character in one of the bedtime stories that his father used to tell him when he was a young lad. One motive in writing The Last Santa was his fervent desire to get back to the non-commercial aspects of Christmas that, Langford said, "everyone remembers with a sense of humility, honesty, and faith." The author accomplishes his goal in a most heartwarming way, and his gentle humor infuses his prose with joy and goodwill — The Last Santa embraces every aspect of this beloved season.

"The original idea was based on a simple phrase I kept thinking about: Do humans really exist?" Langford explained. "That led to the next question of Who would even ask that? That's when the elf JoJo popped into my head. I wrote the story thinking no one else would read it, but secretly hoped it might be something my kids might enjoy while entertaining the adults who might read it to them.

"I hope it's fun to read and also thought-provoking," Langford continued. "What I discovered when I wrote it and then read and re-read it is that I was never tired of the story. Parts of it still make me giggle."

That from a grown man who recently — almost singlehandedly — built a stunning studio addition to Big Dog Pots Pottery, his wife Lori Langford's multifaceted business in Marshall. It's the happening place where the Christmas Spirit has already been getting a colorful workout as young and old get creative with Paint Your Own Pottery and Fused Glass holiday-inspired projects such as Christmas trees (complete with lights), votive candle holders, and gingerbread houses, to name a few.

The Langfords — S. H. (aka Hugh) and Lori along with their teenaged daughter and son — make their home in Fauquier County. They're locals, contributing to the community in many ways, including sponsoring the ever-popular Terrier Races at the International Gold Cup races and hosting fundraisers such as Bingo for WAAAG, a local nonprofit animal adoption group.

The Last Santa is Langford's debut novel and it adds up to more than a charming children's story with its many layers of meaning and relevance. The author's voice is powered by his strong roots in solid old-fashioned values about family and faith and the meaning of Christmas. Even as Langford incorporates serious themes — for example, being different from your peers — he keeps his tale fun, full of love, laughter, hope and goodwill towards all.

When asked about a sequel, Langford said, "It's funny you should ask because that's the first thing my wife said when she finished reading it: 'What's next?' I can see writing a sequel, and I have a couple of ideas. The fact that anyone would even ask for a sequel is humbling because it means the telling of this story was entertaining."

The Last Santa by S. H. Langford is a sure bet for your stocking stuffer and gift list.

Paperback, 140 pages.
Available at Second Chapter Books in Middleburg and at Big Dog Pots Pottery in Marshall.