by An ice-fishing girl in Minneapolis asks when Santa reads letters, where the Mississippi begins, and what immigration is
A Letter to Santa from Minneapolis, Minnesota
Dear Santa,
Hi Santa! My name is Harper and I am 8 years old. I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where the winters are long and snowy. I love ice fishing with my dad and reading by the fire. My question is: when does Santa Claus get your letter? Will you read mine in time? My geography question is: where does the Mississippi River begin? And my social studies question is: what is immigration, and why do people move to a new country? Thanks, Santa!
Love, Harper (age 8)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hello Harper! An ice fisher who reads by the fire knows how to enjoy a Minnesota winter. You asked when I get your letter, and the happy answer is that I read them as they arrive. The North Pole post office grows busiest from autumn onward, and my hardworking elves sort through thousands of letters every single day. But do not worry, I read every last one myself, yours included. So the sooner you send it, the sooner I will be smiling over your words by the fire.
Your geography question: where the Mississippi begins
Here is something to make you proud, Harper: the mighty Mississippi River begins right in your own Minnesota, at a place called Lake Itasca. There, you can actually step across the river when it is just a small, gentle stream. From that tiny start, it grows into one of the greatest rivers in North America. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: immigration
Immigration is when people move from one country to make a new home in another. People immigrate for many reasons, to find work, to be safe, or to give their children a better future. Your own Minnesota is home to families from all over the world, and that mix of cultures makes communities richer, kinder, and more interesting. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Catch a big fish for me, Harper. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
