Santa Calls [Hardcover]

William Joyce (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Join Art Atchinson Aimesworth, his kid sister Esther and their best pal Spaulding as they travel to the North Pole to see The Big Guy in Red himself! When a mysterious package is revealed to be a flying machine sent to take them to Santa Claus, who (but Art) would ask why! Soon the kids are up, up, and away to the North Pole. With the help of Ali Aku, the captain of the Santarian Guard, and a few well-stuffed bags of licorice, they battle the Dark Queen and her army of Dark Elves in order to reach Toyland, home of Santa and Mrs. Claus, for the most swashbuckling Christmas adventure ever!This Golden Kite Award-winning picture-book, has been simplified for toddler-appeal, and is now just the right size for any stocking.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Gather round for an Extraordinary Adventure, circa Christmas 1908, Abilene, Texas. The players are a boy named Art (devoted to "the making of inventions, the quest for adventure, and the fighting and smashing of crime"); his best friend, a Comanche boy named Spaulding; and Art's scorned little sister, Esther. One dusty December day, they find a huge wooden crate accompanied by a note that says, "Open the box. Assemble the contents. Come NORTH. Yours, S.C." The next thing you know, the intrepid trio sets off for the North Pole in the freshly assembled Yuletide Flyer, at Santa's cryptic request. Let the swashbuckling adventure begin! Santa's home is the glittering metropolis of Toyland, described as "the best of the old, the best of the new, and the best that is yet to be." But what's this? Dark Elves and their evil Queen? No one bargained for danger in the North Pole. After a dashing display of heroic and ingenious maneuvering, however, the three children are delivered back home in time for Christmas. But why did Santa call in the first place? He tells them, "Some secrets are best left unsolved." The real secret of this rollicking Christmas tale lies in two facsimile letters attached at the end of the book--Esther's touching note to Santa and his reply. Beloved illustrator William Joyce, creator of George Shrinks and Dinosaur Bob, has managed an unusual feat: an original Christmas story, breathtaking artwork, and adventure tale all rolled into one. (Ages 5 to 9) --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

Joyce's version of a ride on the Polar Express is more style than substance. Just before Christmas, 1908, dashing boy-inventor Art Atchinson Ainsworth; his best friend, Comanche brave Spaulding Littlefeets; and his scorned little sister Esther receive an invitation (complete with futuristic flying machine) to visit Santa. Their visit is climaxed by Esther's dramatic rescue from the Dark Elves and their evil Queen. ``But why did you call for us?'' Art wants to know. Santa answers, ``Some secrets are best left unsolved.'' Art never finds out, but readers do, in two appended letters from Esther (``Dear Santa...what I really wish for is for my brother Art to be my friend'') and Santa (``I'm glad our little adventure did the trick''). Readers may be disappointed to find so unsurprising a gift in such glorious wrapping, but the huge illustrations, rendered with Joyce's usual cinematic, art-deco sensibility, burst with exuberant crowds and visual fanfares, melodramatic poses and clever jokes. Figures have the gloss and solidity of polished wooden models: Art looks like Will Rogers, and Santa like a benevolent tycoon, while the skies over Ozlike Toyland are filled with searchlights and fanciful balloons. Read quickly; linger over the art. (Picture book. 7+) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Brdbk edition (September 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0694012122
• ISBN-13: 978-0694012121
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,783,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A true luminary and creative spirit, William Joyce has put his personal stamp on children's media in every direction. His picture books include George Shrinks, Dinosaur Bob and Santa Calls; he's won three Emmy awards for his Rolie Polie Olie animated series; developed character concepts for Toy Story and A Bug's Life; and his films include Robots and Meet the Robinsons. He's currently co-directing The Guardians for DREAMWORKS, and is producing The Leaf Men, based on his picturebook. He lives in Shreveport, LA, and is the founder of Moonbot Studios.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Call on "Santa Calls!", January 16, 1998

By 

"rrr338" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Santa Calls (Hardcover)

"Santa Calls" deserves to take a place among classic children's (age 2 - 104) Christmas books! I can't figure out the Kirkus review comment that this is somehow a take-off on "Polar Express" and "more style than substance."

"Santa Calls" offers MORE than pretty illustrations (they are more like, art-deco "way-cool.") And the story explores, among other things, sibling rivalry, the earnest hopes of children to be accepted fully into family life, the importance of sometimes keeping secrets, and the potential of redemption in misguided kids (Whew! Sounds like a good dose of substance to me!) Best of all, the Mrs. Santa is NOT the stereotypical "Jonathan Winters in drag" sort of depiction. She is classy and stylish (what a coat and hat!) and has a noticeable tinge of self-confidence. THIS is the "Mrs. Claus" that *I* want to believe in!

The end of the book consists of two letters -- one from the central girl character and another which is a response from the Big Guy himself. They appear to be the real things -- conveniently pasted into the back cover of the book! Nice way to get kids to appreciate the art of letter-writing at an early age. Do call on this book, you won't be disappointed.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Santa helps out a little sister who is lonely, January 3, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Boyds, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Santa Calls (Hardcover)

This was a book about a boy that was mean to his sister until a box from santa changes that. This book was about a sister who wanted her brother to be her friend . . . and a secret between Santa and her. I rate the book 9 because it was so good it even told you the letter that she got from Santa at the end of the book. You have to read it! Byron La Fleur (3rd grader)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story for little sisters everywhere!, November 28, 2000

By 

Gwyneth Calvetti (West Salem, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Santa Calls (Hardcover)

William Joyce's books topped the list of family favorites when my boys were smaller. Even as they have passed the "4-8 years" level suggested, this remains a seasonal favorite of my now 10 and 14 year olds. The story is utterly charming and quirky at once. Art and his friend Spaulding discover a mystery box in the back yard one day, which propels them on an adventure that grudgingly includes Art's little sister Esther.

Typical of Joyce's "Dali-esque" illustration, the North Pole takes on a surreal appearance, and the story takes a wild turn, with a neat little surprise in the epilogue. Joyce never fails to delight his readers with his wry view of life. This book is a wonderful foil for the more traditional holiday reads for kids, and one the grown ups can enjoy fully as well.