by A puffin-loving boy in Reykjavik asks about Santa’s reindeer, what a glacier is, and what a parliament does
A Letter to Santa from Reykjavik, Iceland
Dear Santa,
Halo Santa! My name is Bjorn and I am 8 years old. I live in Reykjavik, in Iceland, where it is icy and full of waterfalls. I love hiking and looking for puffins. My big question is: how many reindeer do you have? Can you tell me all their names? My geography question is: what is a glacier? And my social studies question is: what is a parliament? Takk fyrir, Santa!
Love, Bjorn (age 8)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, halo Bjorn! A boy who hunts for puffins is exactly the sort of explorer I admire. You asked how many reindeer pull my sleigh, and I am delighted to tell you. I have nine wonderful reindeer in all. Eight of them are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. And at the very front, lighting the way on foggy nights, is Rudolph, with his famous glowing red nose. They are a hardworking team, and they all love a good carrot after a long flight.
Your geography question: what is a glacier
A glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice that builds up over many, many years from packed snow. Glaciers are so heavy that they can carve valleys and shape whole landscapes. Your own Iceland is famous for its glaciers, which is one reason it is sometimes called the land of fire and ice. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: what is a parliament
A parliament is a group of people chosen to make the rules and laws for a country. They meet, they talk, and they vote on what is best for everyone. Here is something to make you proud: Iceland has one of the oldest parliaments in the whole world, called the Althing, which began more than a thousand years ago. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Keep watching for those puffins, Bjorn. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
