Scared of Santa: Scenes of Terror in Toyland [Paperback]

Denise Joyce (Author), Nancy Watkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2008

He's huge and hairy and hulking.
He dresses in strange furry clothing.
He sneaks into people's homes at night.
Who wouldn't be afraid of . . . Santa Claus?!?

Nothing says Christmas quite like innocent children shrieking with terror as a stranger dressed in red drags them kicking and screaming onto his lap. Now this time-honored rite of passage is celebrated with a hilarious collection of more than two hundred and fifty priceless photos of kids' traumatic trips to Santa's workshop. Scared of Santa offers a cornucopia of photographic funnies—from sixty-year-old family heirlooms to last year's howlers—along with delightful commentary on those unforgettable childhood visits to scary ol' Saint Nick.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Denise Joyce is a longtime editor for the Chicago Tribune and has the gold watch to prove it. She and her husband have two grown children; their behavior supports the theory that one out of every two children is terrified of Santa—and clowns.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; 1 edition (October 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061490997
• ISBN-13: 978-0061490996
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #623,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Art > Art History > Criticism
  • #71 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Children
  • #77 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > General

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The universal family experience, with or without Santa, December 9, 2008

By 

Lydia K. (New England, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Scared of Santa: Scenes of Terror in Toyland (Paperback)

To the reviewer(s) who scold the authors for snickering at children's fear, I think you're missing the essence of this book. It's not making fun of children or their fears. It's making fun of the ridiculous ritual itself, and the adults who insist on it despite this all-too-common result.

Even those of us (like me) who wouldn't dream of plopping our kids on a Mall Santa's lap can relate to the universal parental experience: real life isn't like a Christmas card. The best-laid plans of mice and moms oft go awry...and you'll be better off if you can laugh at it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Hilarious, October 18, 2008

By 

J. Yohman (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scared of Santa: Scenes of Terror in Toyland (Paperback)

We've all seen children getting freaked out at the site of the jolly old elf, but never like this. With two-hundred and fifty photos of scared out of their mind children and Santa's who are probably counting the minutes until they get off for the night, you have an instant Christmas coffee table classic that will keep you chuckling.
The book's photos are broken down into different sections such as screamers, wriggling children, and siblings. (My personal favorite is chapter with the freaky Santas). If you're having a Blue Christmas, grab Scared of Santa for a quick lift in spirits.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Funny Stuff with one problem, October 23, 2008

By 

Judy M. Jones - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scared of Santa: Scenes of Terror in Toyland (Paperback)

Good Idea, fun and I did laugh out loud quite a bit. With that said, I have to comment on how very small some of the photographs were. The little pictures distracted from the experience and I found myself just reading and looking at the larger ones half way through the book.

If you have an eagle eye or don't mind squinting you will love all the photos. They are very cute and funny.