Reviews

Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum

happylilkt's review against another edition

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3.0

Ah, nostalgia! I believe the Oz books were my first binge author reads when I was 7 or 8. This is in classic Baum style, but kind of fun to have it be centered around Santa Claus. I think an older child who doesn't expect it to match up with the true history of Saint Nick would enjoy it. It's basically fairyland/Oz Santa.

A quick read and a unique addition to my Christmas book collection.

kiana2173's review against another edition

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5.0

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum is about the classic story of Santa Claus.

I had no idea that Santa Claus had a history. It really was a mind-blowing story, how Santa Claus was abandoned, how he got his name, who he grew up with, and how he got his mission in making and giving toys to the children of the world. The fights that Santa Claus got into, the people who fought for Santa Claus, how he got his title of Saint Nick. Goshhh I was mind blown throughout this whole story.

I think this is a really interesting read, and a wonderful classic that I am glad that I put my hands on. I was never really knowledgeable about as to how the Christmas traditions came to be, but I learned about how the reindeers were picked and how they were elected to be Santa’s reindeers, why all the kids get toys, rich and poor, how he got the title of a Saint as I said before, how kids put stockings on the chimney, and how he got his signature look. This was such an enjoyable read for me because I really love Christmas and I am glad I took the chance to read it!

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Christmas and Santa Claus!

the_sunken_library's review against another edition

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5.0

' "In all this world there is nothing as beautiful as a happy child" says good old Santa Claus; and if he had his way the children would all be beautiful, for all would be happy. '

A delightful tale of how an abandoned infant grew up to become the infamous Santa Claus, told by the ingenious Frank Baum, who birthed into this world the well loved Wizard of Oz books.

This version is particularly beautiful thanks to the inclusion of Mary Cowles Clark's original illustrations depicting nymphs, fairies and laughing babies. A must read for any who enjoy a good fairy-tale narrating a battle between good and evil, and the rise of a man to an immortal legend.

llfoofaye's review

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5.0

Great Christmas Story

This is really a great telling off how Santa Claus came to be. Perfect reading for this time of year.

byp's review against another edition

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3.0

I like this Rankin-Bass special, and enjoyed these illustrations.

darcys01's review against another edition

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5.0

Charming!

asreadbykat's review against another edition

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4.0

If you loved the Rankin-Bass stop-motion special, then you'll love this book it's based on. It's a different take on the origins of Santa Claus, before it became popular to do so. It's just a fun, light-hearted and cozy story to read during the Christmas season with some really nice messages to spread out.

katykelly's review

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5.0

A lovely short Christmas story, dovetailing all the 'facts' about Father Christmas into an interesting origin story.

By the Wizard of Oz writer, this starts with a forest-set fairy tale feel, with a baby boy adopted by a fairy, raised to grow into the adult Klaus, who finds a talent for making toys...

We see how he finds his home, gains helpers, befriends reindeer, and begins to spread winter cheer with his lovely toys. We even learn how he seems to be immortal.

I wasn't sure to start with if I liked the style, but soon warmed to the fantastical forest setting and the character of Klaus.

This is a pleasant seasonal read for both adults and children, with a hint of magic about it - my son's a little young, but in a year or two (maybe age 5-7) this is a nice way of showing a child how the magic of Christmas came to be.

whatsthestorywishbone's review against another edition

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3.0

Chose to Listen to a Christmas book while stringing popcorn and cranberries this year instead of watching a movie and it may become a new tradition. I had never heard of this book but it was on a audiobook Christmas list and it was Frank L Baum so gave it a try. It was a cute story but there were too many descriptions of the “immortal” types for me. Just a bit too wordy, but I think that might have to do with the age of the story. Glad we listened but probably not a repeater.

mschrock8's review against another edition

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3.0

I bought this for myself this season. A cute story of Santa Claus, his gifts and his travels.

In this story, Santa's original reindeer are: Glossie and Flossie, Racer and Pacer, Reckless and Speckless, Fearless and Peerless and Ready and Steady. I love this list!