Here Comes Santa Claus [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Gene Autry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

Gene Autry wrote and recorded "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)" in 1947. The story goes that he was at a Christmas parade where he heard some children repeating, "Here comes Santa Claus! Here comes Santa Claus!" over and over. Autry was inspired by the joyful anticipation behind the words to jot down the first draft of a song. He brought his notes to Oakley Haldeman, then head of his music publishing company, and they completed the song together -- little suspecting that it would become a Christmas classic.

"Here Comes Santa Claus" was Gene Autry's first holiday recording and an immediate hit. Over the past half century the song's popularity has continued to grow, and in 1998 It was voted one of the top holiday songs of the twentieth century by The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Now artist Bruce Whatley has been inspired to illustrate this favorite song as a picture book with the richly textured artwork that made his The Night Before Christmas a best-seller. Expanding on the song's themes of hope and goodwill, Whatley has created a curious North Pole puppy who stows away on Santa's sleigh for an unforgettable Christmas Eve adventure.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Whatley (Elvis Presley's The First Noel) gussies up the singing cowboy's bouncy classic. Complementing the familiar lyrics, the visual story tells of a boy whose note to Santa explains that he "already asked for a genuine cowboy hat" for Christmas but really wants a puppy. Fortunately, as jolly old Saint Nick heads "right down Santa Claus lane," it appears he has a stowaway who fits the bill. Interesting perspectives include an aerial view looking down on the reindeer-borne sleigh. Music and lyrics are included on the endpapers. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-Written in 1947 when Autry heard children repeat the title phrase at a Christmas parade, this song is still popular today. Whatley makes it even more inviting with his realistic, full-color paintings that include an endearing visual subtext that dovetails with the lyrics. As readers follow a family through Christmas Eve, a puppy stows away on Santa's sleigh and ends up as a much-wished-for gift. This story-within-a-story adds another layer of meaning to the words. The score and all of the verses appear on the endpapers. Great for storytimes or for one-on-one sharing.-M. W.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• ISBN-10: 0060282681
• ASIN: B0002S9W7C
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,874,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice companion for the song, September 9, 2004

By 

MEJ "justmyview" (Cowlesville, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Here Comes Santa Claus (Hardcover)

I purchased this book because I grew up listening to Gene Autry's Christmas music. I thought it would be nice to have a tangible version of "Here Comes Santa Claus". This book has beautiful illustrations and within those illustrations Bruce Whatley adds an additional story. The sleeve of the book gives the history of how the song came about as well as a brief history of Gene Autry and Bruce Whatley. Now my daughter can grow up with the wonderful song as well as this wonderful book.

This hardcover book was also a steal for $4.99 as a bargain book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Bargain Book, December 18, 2006

By 

L. Haase (Cincinnati, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here Comes Santa Claus (Hardcover)

This hardcover book is a steal at $4.99. You can remove the paper flap and the Christmas graphic of Santa and the dog is printed directly on the cover. The pictures on the front and back covers are lovely and elegant. The book is sturdy enough to stand and be displayed as a Christmas decoration. The book is illustrated nicely with thick pages. The sheet music to the song is on both the front and back inside covers of the book.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Classic Christmas Song...to Pictures, January 15, 2007

By 

J. M. Bradshaw "House-Mom" (Anaheim, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here Comes Santa Claus (Hardcover)

I was hoping that the book might be a little more informative for my two year-old about WHO Santa IS, but it was instead the words to the Gene Autry song "Here Comes Santa Claus" put to admittedly beautiful illustrations. Still very much enjoyed it...it just wasn't quite what I'd thought it would be.