Customer Reviews

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (Yesterday's Classics)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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My mother, Amelia Catherine Houghton, used the pen name Julie Lane when she wrote the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. She died in 1989 after a long and satisfying career as a public school administrator and teacher. The illustrator, Hokie, was my father, who died in 1961. Hokie was the pet name that Amy gave him. I am so happy (and, of course, my mother and father would also be) to see that people from all over the U.S. have enjoyed mom's book as much as her own family and all of the children that listened to the story around Christmas time when it was broadcast over the school's intercom (my brother Tony was a principal, his wife was a principal, and six Houghton's were in the Dade County public school system. If you have any questions about the book's origin, background on the "Plot," etc. please email me at houghtonjy2k@hotmail.com and I will be very happy to respond. Five stars...I'm proud of my mother and father and I give it 10 stars. Jon Houghton Pinecrest, Florida

This truly magnificent book has been a family tradition for over 50 years. I have the most fondest memories of my siblings and I sitting in our living room as children listening to our parents read 1 or 2 chapters per night. They would time it perfectly to have the last chapter read on Christmas Eve year after year. More than 30 years later, I continue the tradition with my own children. Although they find the first chapter sad and difficult to understand, my children have learned that the obstacles we encounter in life help shape us into who we are, with Nicholas being the perfect example.

My mother gave me my very own copy of The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus when I got married. She wrote on the inside cover, "Dear Patty, I hope you enjoy this book for as many years as I have. May it always remind you of all the Merry Christmas' that we all shared. The years pass so quickly and we are fortunate to have so many happy memories. Love, As Always, Mother" This book will always be one of the most cherished parts of my life. Begin the tradition...

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!!!!

My family first heard this tale on audiocassette. It was narrated by Bill Everett, who did a wonderful job of bringing this story to life. After our youngest child was born, we purchased a car with a CD player, and since the book wasn't available on CD at the time, I purchased a paperback copy and read it to my youngest instead.

The book starts sadly when Nicholas (who is about five years old) loses his entire family during the course of one day---his father, a fisherman, is lost in a storm at sea; his tiny sister succumbs to illness; and his mother is struck by a falling tree while travelling through the windswept forest.

The families in his village each raise the orphaned boy for one year, and in gratitude, he makes Christmas toys for the children in each home. As he grows to manhood, Nicholas experiences a variety of adventures that lead to the adoption of the traditions associated with Santa Claus.
Unlike L. Frank Baum's The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, there are no supernatural elements in this story, and not a single fairy in sight. When Nicholas finally dies of old age, the villagers are surprised to discover that someone has delivered the children's Christmas toys anyway, and one child concludes that Nicholas hasn't really died after all. No further explanation is offered, so I told my children that the child was right---the memory of Nicholas's generosity had survived him and inspired others to follow in his footsteps.

Please note that an abridged version of this book also exists: The Adventures of Nicholas: or The Wonderful Life and Complete Account of That Famous Toymaker and Children's Friend, Nicholas, Better Known as Santa Claus by Helen Siiteri (1966), which is also still in print. The original is longer (154 pages versus 82 in the abridged version) and better, and is highly recommended in both the print and audio versions.

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!

As a young boy, born in 1932, my Mother used to read me this book; chapter a day, leading up to Christmas. I received the book through my Granddad who worked for Norwood Press at the time of it's publication.

My children are now doing the same with their children as I did with them.

This is a great book to keep alive the story of Santa to a young child growing up.

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.

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

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
hansenb@usa.net.

Merry Christmas in July !

This is a delightful book for children and adults alike. The author is very creative in telling how events came about to create the legend of Santa Claus. I love this book, and would recommend to any "kid", ages 5-95!