The Story of Santa Claus [Hardcover]

Tom Paxton (Author), Michael Dooling (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

How did a simple woodsman become Santa? "Folksinger Paxton has written a warm, joyous story explaining the many legends surrounding the origin of Santa Claus....Illustrations are splendidly executed....This original tale will be read aloud, shared, and treasured for many Christmas seasons to come."--Booklist.

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

Ages 5-9. Folksinger Paxton has written a warm, joyous story explaining the many legends surrounding the origin of Santa Claus. Although Claus works as fast as he can, he just can't make enough toys for all the boys and girls who live in the forest. His wife enlists the help of several local elves. Then, because their toy inventory has greatly increased, they move their home and workshop to the spacious North Pole. Claus also decides to deliver toys to boys and girls all over the world. But he needs fast transportation, so he gets a sleigh and reindeer. The story is strongly complemented by illustrations of characters and settings that are splendidly executed in richly textured oil paints. This original tale will be read aloud, shared, and treasured for many Christmas seasons to come. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From The New Yorker

Well, it could have happened this way. When the demand for his carved toys outstrips both his ability to make them (even with the enthusiastic if inexpert help of elves) and his storage space, old Claus the forester packs up and moves north, building a big house, enlisting the aid of local reindeer to get the gifts delivered, and even, with the help of his wife, Eva, inventing the Christmas tree. Paxton's is a leisurely tale, using plain language and formal- sounding dialogue. Dooling's oils are rougher, less polished than usual, though still rich in realistic detail: Claus is a kindly figure in red flannels and the elves are really laughing children wearing green hose and curly-toed slippers. The story's mater-of-fact telling and the way characters appear to make eye contact with readers give this a subtle, comfortably tongue-in-cheek tone. (Picture book 6-10). --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (October 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688113648
• ISBN-13: 978-0688113643
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,581,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Story of Santa Claus, June 18, 2000

By 

"samvanz" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Story of Santa Claus (Hardcover)

A really charming tale about the origins of how Santa Claus started out. Great illustrations too, really lifelike. A book I would really recommend to read to young children at Christmas time, they love it!.