How Santa Got His Job [Paperback]

Stephen Krensky (Author), S.D. Schindler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Have you ever wondered what Santa did before he was Santa?

When Santa was young and needed a job, no one was looking for a man in a red suit to deliver gifts on Christmas. So Santa tried just about everything -- from a chimney sweep to a postman to a circus performer. But none of these worked out. It wasn't until he met a group of elves who helped him use all his special talents, that Santa was able to find his dream job.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2?A contemporary, funny, and truly original look at how Santa Claus acquired all the skills that have made him the great success he is today. As a young man, Santa wants no part of desks or offices. His first job is cleaning chimneys, and he is so good at getting up and down them that he never gets dirty. His second position is with the post office, delivering packages?but people dislike his zeal when he continues delivering into the night. Later, he cooks at an all-night diner (he gains a lot of weight), works at the zoo (he loves the reindeer best), and does a stint with the circus, where he meets elves who live "out of town and need someone to deliver toys." And, of course, the rest is history. Children will love the clever way in which the story builds, showing how Santa's diverse background prepared him perfectly for his Christmas Eve duties. Schindler's amusing, detailed ink drawings include full-page and half-page spreads, and are sometimes set in a white box against a background of want-ad newsprint, also featured on the endpapers. Krensky's spare text makes brilliant use of every word. A jolly choice for reading aloud during the holidays or as a spoof during career-study time.?LF
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 2^-4, younger for reading aloud. This very funny picture book will best be appreciated by kids who know their Santa Claus lore--and no longer think he's real. The story begins with Santa as a young man, in jacket and tie, applying for jobs. He starts out by sweeping chimneys, but he stays too clean, so he moves into postal work. Problem: he likes to make deliveries in the middle of the night. Fired, Santa moves on to work in an all-night diner, where he piles on the pounds. Then he moves to the zoo, where he becomes friendly with the reindeer, after which Santa and the reindeer all join the circus and fly through the air. Elves rescue him from that job. Santa and the reindeer are taken to the North Pole, and--well, you know the rest. This is a wonderful wedding of text and art. The story is smart and funny, and Schindler knows exactly how to make his artwork play off the humor. It's particularly fun to watch the Santa aging process as he goes from an eager young job applicant to the jolly old Santa we know. Setting the boxed text against a background of want ads is also an inspired touch. Fun to look at, fun to read, fun to share with kids. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689846681
• ISBN-13: 978-0689846687
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 10.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #445,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars swell Santa story, March 8, 2002

By 

W. K. Miller "kenmiller32" (NC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Santa Got His Job (Hardcover)

Before Santa Claus became, well, Santa Claus, he was a young man trying to find rewarding and satisfying work. Who knew? He tried jobs such as zookeeper (where he learned to love reindeer), postal worker (where he decided to deliver packages at night, to save time!), and chimney sweep (where he never got dirty, prompting suspicion that he wasn't doing his work).

This book takes NOTHING away from the traditional Santa Claus stories... it merely fills in the details about what Santa did as a young man, before becoming the rotund, jolly, white-bearded Christmas giftbringer that we love so much.

The illustrations are humorous and playful; the text is easy to understand. My son is almost 3 years old, and he loves this book! I think _How Santa Got His Job_ is the perfect compliment to Clement Moore's _The Night Before Christmas_-- read it to your child, and see for yourself. It's a treat.

ken32
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A funny Christmas story with a lesson on perseverance, November 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How Santa Got His Job (Hardcover)

I am a librarian and my teachers are in love with this book! A fun read-aloud for children who already know that Santa isn't real.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A precious book, December 14, 1999

By 

Paula Murray (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Santa Got His Job (Hardcover)

I am an educator that focuses on developing career education and awareness opportunities for many schools in my area. One school used this book as a writing prompt for grades 1 thru 6. Students all wrote essays about how they thoought Santa got his job and entered them in a contest. The event was even covered by our local newspaper. A great learning project for the kids.