Customer Reviews

Jolly Old Santa Claus

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I was elated when I found this book. I bought it for my children, but was VERY disappointed to see the both the text AND the pictures had been changed! How can they get by with saying they are "featuring the finely crafted oil paintings by George Hinke along with the original prose story", when both have been altered. I still have a copy of the original so I can compare. They also reduced the picture size and put in big fancy lettering. Who cares about the lettering... what made people fall in love with the book was the pictures!

My grandmother kept the soft copy my mom had as a little girl and only had it out on Christmas. I would sit for hours staring at the artwork oblivious to the actual story. After my grandmother passed away we lost the book. I found this newer copy a few years ago and at first was very excited until I got a good look at it. The artwork is the same except the original version had full page illustrations without all the extra colored text and the black lines outlining ragged edges of the artwork. I feel this ruins the book for those of us who remember the original copy. Can't someone simply reprint the original version without all the updated goo-gunk??? I'd buy a few copies of the orginal re-print in a heartbeat!!

I had to come see the reviews for this book. I got this book last year for Christmas from my mother. It was my oldest sons first Christmas, and it was thrilling to see they reprinted this book. I remember reading the original, a book that was owned by a Great Aunt who lent it to us ,and was returned when she has grandchildren. I remember the text being on the back, and if I am not wrong, wasn't there a picture of the elves sleeping?? The pictures seem cut up. It is wonderful to see that this book remains in some form today, however, I wish they just reprinted the original as was. It was a beautiful book and it now butchered.

I have searched high and low for this favorite childhood Christmas book that my parents read to me and my siblings. Unfortunately, the newest edition is nothing like the soft covered book my mother still holds close to her heart. The original book has such magical pictures that really do allow you to "believe". I remember being read to and then turning the pages to this image that still is imbedded in my mind. I hope they will come out with the first edition of this book, for the newest "collectors edition" is not worth collecting at all.

As a previous reader commented, the illustrations have been reduced to a smaller size which has all but ruined the book. Also I remember a final illustration in the original of the elves having a good old pillow fight at the end of the night. This illustration was completely eliminated from this new version. A sacrilidge has been committed!

The original edition of this book was better! It was made to be read with the children sitting in front of you. The text (which is great) was on the back & the pictures were 2 full pages in front for the kids to study while you read. This one has the pictures shrunk so small you can't even start to appreciate the detail & great work & the text often takes up more space than the pictures. It's still worth having if you don't have an earlier edition because these are the best paintings of santa ever. Whoever did this though should be ashamed & republish the original which is the greatest book on santa ever written.

This fine book has been ruined by senseless (and unacknowledged) mutilation of the original artwork: in nearly every image of the original, Santa is shown smoking a pipe, while this "politically correct" reissue airbrushes out the pipe without even having the decency to admit it. For simpering cowards and nattering nabobs only.

Like the other reviewers, I was extremely excited when I saw this book in my local book store. I agree that while the pictures are beautiful, the original's were breathtaking. I bought this book to share a little bit of my childhood with my daughter. But I will continue to search used bookstores for a 1st edition copy. The Publisher should definitely consider releasing the original version again. What a great last-Christmas-of-the-20th-century present.

Growing up, "Jolly Old Santa Claus" was a Christmas Eve tradition in my family. And since the one original copy we had growing up still belongs to our parents, my siblings and I were elated to receive copies of this "Collector's Edition" for Christmas. Until we opened the book, that is. Many illustrations have been left out, and the ones that have been included are washed out, airbrushed and cropped and do not begin to do justice to the originals. Although it claims to feature the "Original Story by Sparkie", somehow the magical "Brownies" we always cherished have been transformed into commonplace "Elves" and "Lazy Brownie" has become the more politically correct "Jeepers Elf". What a disappointment! If you remember this book fondly from your childhood, you will be disappointed. If you just want a great story to share with your kids, buy it. It's still one of the best Santa books around.

The pictures in this book are amazing but this edition is a disapointment. The original editions have 2 full pages for each picture with the text on the back so it can be read to children sitting in front of you, they look at the pictures & you read. This one has the pictures shrunk to an obscenely small size with the text often taking up more of the page than the picture. Whoever did this one should be ashamed & republish the original!