Customer Reviews

Santa's God: A Children's Fable about the Biggest Question Ever

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"Santa certainly had some good answers, and Melinda was almost out of questions. But then she remembered the most important question of all. It was a question she'd always wanted answered. `Santa', she began... `Who is the real God?' Santa almost dropped his cookie!" - From Santa's God

What happens when a little girl named Melinda asks Santa the biggest question ever on Christmas Eve?

In simple yet profound story titled Santa's God, author Neale Donald Walsch tells an endearing story paralleling the various manifestations of Santa (St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Father Christmas, Pere Noel, etc.) with the many faces of God (Jesus, Krishna, Alla, Jehovah, and so on).

Delightfully illustrated by Walsch's wife, Em Claire, and artist Beth Stark (pencil work), Santa's God explains how the different garbs and names of Santa (drawings based on original Pipka Santa figurines) are a lot like how we envision God according to our cultural and religious heritage.

For parents longing for an "All is One" book to share with children, or even for individuals who believe that "all roads lead to heaven" but have had a difficult time putting it into words, Santa's God is a gentle, loving, inspirational reminder that no matter what we may call the Divine--God, Spirit, Goddess, the Infinite, the Universe--the same Ground of Being cradles us all.

Highly recommended!

-- Janet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot

As always, Neale Donald Walsch weaves a portrait of God as loving and a part of all that is in the World, a part of Us. I am so happy to have a book like this with inspirational illustrations to share with my children during this holiday season. It speaks to the message of our oneness as human beings and the connection we share. It is our inner guidance that leads us to know God and this book captures this general belief in a unique way incorporating the magic of Santa.

This book is not for those whom believe in a small God, one whom believes that only one religion is to be acknowledged, while all the others will be judged and condemned.

This book is for those whom believe God is everything, goes by many different names, and loves unconditionally, because he is love. This book is for those whom believe God would never judge creation or their beliefs. It is for those whom know that God requires nothing and therefore NEEDS NOTHING from us.

This book is for those whom know God has nothing to forgive or condemn because everything is perfect in the infinite plan for creation already. It is for those whom know God is perfect, and we are created in the image of Godself.

This book is for those whom desire with their whole heart to give their children a God whom understands creation perfectly with complete wisdom, whom is fun and full of joy, and whom knows that no matter what, we are a perfect part of the plan of light and love.

This book is for parents whom know in the depth of their being that God is wise enough and whole enough to be able to accept all of us just the way we are. It is for parents whom also desire to teach their children this concept of God's acceptance. If you are this kind of parent then you will love this book. If not stick to your doctrine, you'll be happier. God doesn't require your beliefs however, but he accepts them as perfect just the same.

Thank you Neale Donald Walsch for being brave enough to write a book that gives our children a God of unbelievable kindness and love. One whom only desires us to remember love is all there really is and all we ever need to be.

"Santa's God: A Children's Fable about the Biggest Question Ever" is a tender and touching story that explains the biggest question of all to the full satisfaction of seven-year-old Melinda," the girl who got to interview Santa and ask him any question she desired on Christmas eve. Sure to appeal to both children and parents from many diverse backgrounds, "Santa's God" helps young minds access the idea that there are different guises for greatness and holiness. Just as important to believe that all children are deserving and good at heart is the notion that all names and concepts of God are valid, and worthy of respect and worship. "Santa's God" tackles a huge question and answers it simply and tastefully, in a way a seven year old child can understand. The delicately tinted paintings illustrating all the different Pipka Santa figurines are especially moving and effective in conveying the story's message and impact. "Santa's God" will be appreciated by parents, teachers, and children everywhere.

What a wonderful Christmas book for children. It teaches them to respect the beliefs and ways of life of other people which is such an important prerequisite to world peace!

I bought this for my 9 year old grand niece, who read it and told me "Thank you so much for this book. I read it in like 10 minutes, and it is now one of my FAVORITES!"

If you are a parent who is looking to teach that while we are all different, we are the same, this is a wonderful book. The story starts with a little girl discovering Santa leaving presents under her tree and turns into a discussion about who and how Santa Claus "is". The little girl then asks the pinnacle question of who God "is". Santa then asks about the character's Santas from around the world decorating her home. The conversation about the different Santas turns into one that demonstrates the parallels between different cultures name and view of Santa and that of God.

If you are a family that doesn't believe in Santa or God, then probably not the book for you. However, no matter your religion this book demonstrates a thread that binds most of humanity that believes in God (no matter his name, face, or dress).

If you could ask Santa one questions what would it be? In Santa's God little Melinda is just certain that this is her night to meet Santa and she has her question ready. Well - like any child she has many questions at the tip of her tongue, but when she finally asks all of the questions you might imagine a child would want to know (How do you get to every house in one night? How do you get down the chimney and what do you do when there is no chimney?) she asks the big one. Santa is so surprised he drops his cookie! Little Melinda wants to know "who is the real God?"

In addition to asking surprising questions, our young heroine also has a startling knowledge of Santa in many cultures. She knows the names of Santa around the world. Many will be familiar to you, like the Dutch Sinterklaas or the English Father Christmas but you may learn some new names for Santa like Kurohsu in Japan or Joulupkki in Finland! Em Claire's illustrations of these Santas are also charming.

People looking only for the biblical Christmas story may be disappointed, but if you are looking for a Santa story that teaches about God's love and the sacred worth of all people, this may be the Christmas book you've been looking for.

I loved the story and message of this book as it draws parallels between the multicultural views of God and Santa. There is one key piece that could have been omitted to improve the range of audience. The book's storyline includes the suggestion that Santa could be the child's parents, but then reinstills the magic of Santa at the end. As a mother of young children, I have chosen to save this book for when my children are older, because I do not want to introduce the parents as Santa concept. This aspect could have been easily omitted and left to the question of believing in things we haven't seen/met (God and Santa) as real. This adjustment would have made it more appropriate for younger readers as well.

If you want to encourage your child in acceptance of all religions and beliefs in the context of a magic Christmas story, this book is for you! My six-year-old girl is asking for it time and time again and I can see that the ideas in it appeal to her. Who knows how soon we could have world peace if we had more books like this around to educate and entertain our children with?