The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Rating:
Summary: The real story of Santa Claus and how he came to be.
Review:

This is the story of a small boy, suddenly orphaned and alone in
a small fishing village. He is cared for by a different family
each year and wanting to somehow show his appreciation, he uses
his skills as a woodcarver to create and leave small Christmas
gifts for the children in each home he has visited.

From this small beginning the person of Santa Claus slowly becomes a
reality. The Christmas Eve tradition of leaving gifts, how the sleigh
and reindeer became part of the task,and even how the name of Santa Claus
and his traditional red and white clothing were developed are all
explained in this delightful tale.

This is a long hardcover children's book, perfectly written to be
read aloud to young children in the weeks prior to Christmas. I first
read it to my children in the late 60s and then lost the book. I recently
rediscovered this newly published version which includes information
on who the author might really be (probably Hokie,the illustrator)
and a section for recording who read the story to whom and when.

I highly recommend this book if you are a true believer in the spirit
if not the person of Santa Claus, and last Christmas presented the
book to my 18 month old grandaughter. It is a story her mother remembers fondly.

The original was a large paperback, published in the late 60s by a
childrens' book club. If you find a copy, please let me know at
[e-mail].

Merry Christmas in July !

Rating:
Summary: The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause
Review: This book is a treasured classic in my family. My mother received this book as a gift from her parents when she was 6 years old, in 1936. The original copyright says 1932, by Santa Claus Publishing Company. My mother read this to us every Christmas. It is a warm, loving story that tells how Nicholas, an orphan, became the beloved Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus. My mother always wanted to find another copy, as hers was becoming worn with age. We never had any luck. I have her original copy. My mother passed away in 1995. My sister discovered that the book had been re-published and immediately bought a copy. Now I am doing the same for my family. I hope it remains a family treasure for many years. Sincerely, Jane E. Town

Rating:
Summary: ...and it's still in print!!!
Review: This is the most loving, gentle story of the Santa Claus legend I have ever read. A wonderful telling of the tale, good for children who still believe in Santa Claus, their older siblings who have learned their elders are the givers, and parents who are looking for a way to explain the transition and to focus on the real meaning of Christmas giving.

I have had the 1923 Norwood Press (Norwood, Massachusetts) edition since I was a little girl, and I raised my children on it. I was sharing it with a friend who has grandchildren, and she wanted a copy for them -- we assumed it would be out of print, but I checked on line to see if it was still in copyright before making a photocopy. I'm so grateful it's still in print -- I've just ordered 4 copies to share!



Rating:
Summary: The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause
Review: What a beautiful story of how Santa Claus came into being . . it will let you believe! When my son was young, we would read it as a chapter book, we would start on the 8th of the month and read a chapter every day. As he got older, we would take turns reading it to each other. I give credit to Julie Lane for prolonging my sons belief in Santa Claus and he now carries the spirit of Santa Claus in his heart. I strongly recommend it for your bookshlf, no matter how old you are!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Santa Claus becomes real to all who read this book.
Review: When my adult children were in elementary school, every year during the Christmas season their principal (Mr. Houghton) would read this story over the p.a. system. They would come home and tell me all about it. They were so enchanted with the story I decieded to buy the book and read it myself. When I finished the book I believed in Santa again. It has become a tradition in our home to read every year. I have since bought the book as gifts and everyone who reads it loves it. I have bought copies for when my children become parents so they will have it for their children. I hope it lives on throught the ages. Thank you Mr. Houghton for introducing this wonderful book to my children.