The Life and Adventures Of Santa Claus [Hardcover]

First and foremost I knew by the product description this book is an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's classic tale of everyone's favorite Christmas Giver and the book is without question breathtakingly beautiful. It is full of Santore's marvelous paintings which look like something Arthur Rackham would illustrate. The fairies are wonderful as are the nymphs, knooks, and the ryls who actually look like the colors they represent and they are cute funny looking creatures. But then Santore creates a world of strange and marvelous creatures who are fantastic yet very human. Looking at the great Ak who is the lord of the forest you see person who appears so very human and Necile, Santa's adoptive mother, looks very human and beautiful. The overall artwork portrayed shows mostly the fantastic world of the fairies and to a lesser extent the people of the human world. However Bessie Blithesome is a very human sweet girl who exudes joy at receiving a doll from Santa.
One of the few flaws of this book is that it is an adaptation and whole episodes are omitted from the story, namely the awgwas were omitted and what a pity they were for it would have been terrific and terrifying to have seen Santore's portrayal of the creatures. Afterall Santore's horrifying wicked witch of the west from the Wizard of Oz is one of the best portrayals of the character ever painted for current children's books today and to have see his villains for this book would have been wonderful. Also omitted from the book are the scenes with Weekum, Mayrie and her brother, and the last chapter of the book in which Santa face adversity from an encroaching civilization and industry.
It must be said the adaptor did leave in some very good sections of the book which make it more appealing to younger children and it is obvious this book is meant for the younger set The story explains why Santa Claus makes toys and why he has reindeer. Also why hang up stockings for Santa Claus? The story does explain many things and makes them accessible for modern readers. For example the episode with Mayrie features a child speaking in childlike tones which would not be acceptable to modern readers. In the scene, in which Santa creates the first Christmas tree, a teepee is featured in the background but the language is edited for modern sensibilities as in the original text the parents of the children are called "neglectful". In this version the words are edited so as not to offend modern ears. I don't necessarily approve of changing the classics but the language in the original could be seen as offensive.
However over all as a beautifully illustrated classic it is beautiful and worth having on the shelf for collectors and for anyone who loves Christmas and Santa Claus.

Parents need to understand, before they buy or borrow this book, that L. Frank Baum's works are not typical of today's fantasy reading, and this book is no exception. (I speak of those who are surprised that the WIZARD OF OZ books are not very much like the movie.)

Having said that, the illustrations in this book are gorgeous. It is a treat, and a delight, to thumb through the book and only look at the pictures. The story adds to the enjoyment, but to me, the main event here is the artwork.

A beautifully illustrated book that embellishes the story by Baum. It will be cherished by readers who love Christmas stories.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 7 reviews  4.3 out of 5 stars