by A film-loving girl in San Jose asks how many Santa movies exist now, what biodiversity is, and how a country can have no army
A Letter to Santa from San Jose, Costa Rica
Dear Santa,
Hola Santa! My name is Camila and I am 8 years old. I live in San Jose, in Costa Rica, a green country full of rainforests, sloths, and singing birds. I love watching films and looking for frogs. My question is: how many Santa Claus movies are there now? My geography question is: what is biodiversity? And my social studies question is: can a country really choose not to have an army? Pura vida, Santa!
Love, Camila (age 8)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hola Camila, and pura vida to you! You asked how many movies there are about me now, and here is the funny part: there are more than anyone can count, and they keep making brand-new ones nearly every single year. Just when I think the list is finished, another cheerful Santa story appears, from old classics your grandparents loved to bright new cartoons. I have happily given up trying to keep score. Perhaps it is because everyone, everywhere, enjoys a good tale about giving and kindness, so the stories simply never stop coming.
Your geography question: what is biodiversity
Biodiversity means the huge variety of different living things, all the plants, animals, and insects, that share a place. Your own Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, packed with more kinds of creatures than almost anywhere else, from sloths to dazzling frogs. Protecting biodiversity keeps nature healthy and full of wonder. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: a country without an army
Yes, a country can choose not to have an army, and your own Costa Rica is a famous example. Many years ago, it decided to do away with its military and instead spend that money on schools, hospitals, and protecting nature. It shows that a country can choose peace and invest in its people in a different way. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Go find a colorful frog for me, Camila. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
