by A card trader in Spokane asks if Santa dollars are real money, why eastern Washington is drier, and what a World’s Fair is
A Letter to Santa from Spokane, Washington
Dear Santa,
Hi Santa! My name is Everett and I am 8 years old. I live in Spokane, Washington, on the drier, eastern side of the state, with a pretty waterfall right downtown. I love bike riding and trading cards with my friends. My question is: are Santa Claus dollars real? My geography question is: why is eastern Washington drier than western Washington? And my social studies question is: what is a World’s Fair? Thanks, Santa!
Love, Everett (age 8)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hello Everett! A card trader knows a thing or two about what is worth keeping. Here is the truth about Santa Claus dollars: they are a fun novelty, not real spendable money. Real money is made by the government and accepted at stores, while Santa dollars are printed just for fun and for collecting, often with my cheerful face on them. So they are real pieces of paper, and fun to own or trade, but you could never use one to buy a candy cane. Think of them as playful keepsakes rather than true cash.
Your geography question: why eastern Washington is drier
Your own Washington has a wet western side and a dry eastern side, including your Spokane, and the reason is the tall Cascade Mountains in the middle. As wet ocean air rises over the mountains, it drops most of its rain on the western slopes. By the time the air reaches the eastern side, it is dry, leaving that region much sunnier. This is called a rain shadow. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: a World’s Fair
A World’s Fair is a giant event where countries from around the globe gather to show off their best inventions, ideas, and culture. Your own Spokane once hosted a famous World’s Fair, one of the first to focus on caring for the environment. These fairs let people peek into the future and celebrate human creativity together. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Trade a good card for me, Everett. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
