Santa Claus: All About Me

by Juliette Atkinson, John Atkinson (Illustrator)

Overview

Drawn from his previously unpublished private diaries, the secret life of Santa is revealed with these festive anecdotes from over the centuries. Readers will discover the truth about where Santa Claus lives, how he manages the elves in his gift workshops at the North Pole, how the good saint’s outfits have changed over the years, and that his favorite treat is a bag of Snowmints. With this ultimate Christmas gift book filled with artwork of Father Christmas, readers will delight in the secrets and surprises, including a pop-up snowflake, festive seasonal recipes, and even a silver sixpence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789881512659
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	11/01/2013
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 11.50(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Juliette Atkinson is the author of Victorian Biography Reconsidered. John Atkinson is an artist who trained at the Coventry School of Art and Design, England.

Editorial Reviews

…gorgeous, funny and informative…The ratio of text to illustration is fairly high, so older children will probably get the most out of this book, but the flaps and letters and pop-ups mean there is something to amuse younger readers too.

The New York Times - Sarah Harrison Smith

09/23/2013
Originally published in 2010, this coffee table–ready guide to all things Santa Claus and Christmas unfolds as a wide-ranging collection of private diaries, written by the man himself. Numerous flaps and mini-booklets combine with a few pop-up elements, reproductions of vintage holiday illustrations, photos, and John Atkinson’s painterly illustrations as Santa expounds on favorite stories he’s heard from children over the years, his many names and costumes around the globe, and even slightly tangential subjects like the history of flight and the spice trade (“Just think, if we didn’t have spices and sweeteners, we wouldn’t have mince pies!”). While adults are perhaps most likely to appreciate this Santa’s discursiveness as he jumps from topic to topic, the eye-catching artwork, interactive embellishments, and snippets of Christmas lore present quite a bit for readers to sink their teeth into. All ages. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"Eye-catching artwork, interactive embellishments, and snippets of Christmas lore present quite a bit for readers to sink their teeth into." —Publishers Weekly


"an omnium-gatherum of Christmastime lore, customs, history, literature, fond memories and personal notes... handsome, informative gift item." —Kirkus Reviews


"This book is so much fun, and you and your kids will pore over it for hours." —Jenny Williams, geekdad.com

From the Publisher

2013-11-02
Going back over his diaries, the jolly old elf himself presents an omnium-gatherum of Christmastime lore, customs, history, literature, fond memories and personal notes. The text opens with an appreciation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol and closes with the full text of Clement Clarke Moore's renowned verses (though without addressing the controversy of their authorship). In between, the loquacious memoirist wanders over the holiday map with disquisitions on elves, reindeer and seasonal foods; activities from snow festivals and winter sports to his own summer vacations; references to Christmas films and music; recipes for gingerbread and other treats; a tally of international alter egos and selected aw-shucks requests from children met in "grottos" all over the world. Santa's narrative, printed in an elegant if not particularly legible script, comes decorated with headers in, often, silver ink, painted scenes both new and old, two big sparkly pop-ups and over a dozen detachable artifacts ranging from a real sixpence and a paper crown to an elf's union card and an instructional booklet for sleigh drivers. Along with full measures of holiday spirit, readers will come away with answers to such common questions as what Santa does with all the "tipple" left out for him (he recycles it into "a jolly useful biofuel" with a spell) and how reindeer can fly (hint: methane emissions). A ribbon tie adds an additional touch of class to this handsome, informative gift item. (dedicated website with full-page images) (Novelty. 8-12, adult)

Kirkus Reviews

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