The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Rating:
Summary: It made my teeth hurt
Review: After reading only five pages of this small children's novel by the reknowned fantasy writer Frank L. Baum, I felt only one thing: the need to make a dentist's appointment. Baum crafts a sugary tale without anything to really distinguish it, and it's the literary equivalent of eating a mountain of candy and not brushing your teeth.

This is the story of Santa Claus -- here portrayed as a human baby adopted by a wood-nymph named Necile in the human-free forest of Burzee. The baby is the first and only mortal adopted by immortals, and is given the name Neclaus, or Claus. For several years he leads a pretty idyllic life, and all the immortals just adore him.

But then Claus takes an interest in human beings, and ends up leaving so he can "make thousands of little children happy." So he ends up making various beautiful gifts for children both rich and poor. However, plotting his downfall are the hideous Angwas, since "one of the principal sports of the Awgwas was to inspire angry passions in the hearts of little children." So Claus and his little friends have to resist the Angwas so that little kids can have toys...

This is not a Santa Claus story based in any way in fact; rather, this is a tale suited to the mass-produced, plastic Santa Claus images that pop up every Christmas. The sugar level is mind-blowing. The idea of the bad guys, whose sole focus is making kiddies misbehave, is incredibly bad. The forest of Burzee is almost hilarious, with its inhabitants living in a sort of immortal hippie commune, with the kind of uninterrupted, continuous bliss that can only be found in certain controlled substances.

The characters have no real personalities: either they're sickening good or hideously bad. It feels less like Baum is telling a story than Making A Point, with the characters as his means of Making That Point. But even if the Angwas evil, they're not really evil -- instead they have a vague I-know-it-when-I-see-it badness, which mainly seems to consist of depriving the poor wittle kiddies of their toys and make them misbehave. Their idea of a hideous act is to steal and then hide toys (Oh horrors!) and they hate the good guys because... well, because they DO. Baum's idea of war is outrageously bad, and it's hard to take seriously because Baum takes care to tell you that it's impossible for the bad guys to win.

Claus himself is so good and noble that he is literally impossible to connect with, as are all his various nymph, Knook, Fairy, Ryl friends. The children that Claus befriends read like Shirley Temple parodies; lines like "I wants a tat" are too common to contemplate. The dialogue in general reads like a screenplay written by a first grader. If you can read lines like "I will overwhelm them with our evil powers!" without giggling helplessly, then you are a stronger reader than I.

I don't recommend this book for anyone over the age of eight who still retains full brain function, and I definitely don't recommend it for diabetics.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Holiday Book for All Ages
Review: Claus, a young baby discovered by a a wood-nymph named Necile, becomes the first human to ever be raised in an enchanted forest, by all types of mythical creatures, including elves and wood nymphs, Ak, the master woodsman, and the evil Awgwas. During his time with the mythical creatures, Claus adopts a love for making toys, and making children happy. He soon decides to deliver toys to all of the children in the land, and is quickly given the name Santa Claus, as he is now known as a Saint, and someone who brought happiness to all.

Baum has done a fantastic job in creating and describing a magical world, such as the one in which Claus resides. Filled with information about how Santa Claus chooses his reindeer, why he goes down chimneys, how he makes his toys, etc., this book is sure to please. Readers young and old will find themselves believing the magic that is Santa Claus. A must-have book for all.

Erika Sorocco

Rating:
Summary: Santa Claus is back in Town!
Review: In author L. Frank Baum's book, nymph Necile finds a tiny babe in the forest of Buzee and raises him along with the help of the great spirits, elves, nymphs, knooks and ryls under the wisdom and guidance of the great Ak (Leader of all the great Spirits). She names him Claus who later grows up asking what is his purpose in life, and then decides to make toys to deliver to all boys and girls on one special night out of the year. But as time passes he soon he discovers that he is growing old. . .

A great book by L. Frank Baum that explores the fantastical life of Santa Claus-a real joy and gem to read, especially when you come to realize how many years ago this book was written. Baum's work here is so imaginative that many of today's stories of Santa Claus in my opinion pale in comparison.

Rating:
Summary: A Santa Claus like you've never seen
Review: L. Frank Baum was one of the great fantasy writers of the early 20th century -- in fact, were it not for Tolkien, I'd be tempted to call him the greatest in 100 years. His Oz books created a beautiful, vibrant land that still draws readers a century later. This book, his twist on the legend of Santa Claus, is part of that wonderful tapestry he wove.

Forget all of the Santa Claus legends you've read before -- there's no North Pole, no elves, no Bergermeistermeisterberger -- the story starts with a baby found in the woods by the fairy Necile. She raises him as her son, Claus (or "Ni-claus," meaning "Little Claus"), until the child begins to wonder about his own people. Shown the dangers of the human world by the great Ak, Claus decides to venture forth amongst the mortals regardless.

Claus gets a lot of credit in this story, from inventing the first toy to inspiring a war amongst immortals to retrieve them, and all of it is done in Baum's clear, clean style that is as easy to read today as it was in his time. It might not be the best book for a small child, who may ask questions trying to reconcile this unique version of Santa with the one he knows, but for an older child who understands that the spirit of Santa Claus is what's important it is a wonderful book. I re-read it every December.

Rating:
Summary: A MAGICAL BOOK!
Review: Mike Ploog's adaptation of L Frank Baum's "Life and adventures of Santa Claus", is one of the most BEAUTIFULLY illustrated graphic novels available. Ploog's water-colour paintings bring so much life to this warm and exciting fairytale.

We meet Santa as an infant, and follow his upbringing as the only human among the hidden woodnymphs. As he grows older, he dedicates his life to help the humans (in his own generous way) against the evil and corruptive Awgwas.

This magical book will get you in to the Christmas-spirit. Children AND grown-ups will love this book!

Rating:
Summary: Charming
Review: No surprises here, no amazing storyline. Just the wonderfully childish imagination we've come to expect from Baum afer 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'. Though a timeless classic for people of all ages, this story is more suitable for grown-ups trying to rediscover their youth - to a certain extent anyway. Set in a fantasy realm, this book basically tells Santa's life story according to Baum's imagination. Remember the days when we left chicken legs and orange juice for Santa under the tree? Sigh... Makes a nice Christmas gift... way better than Harry Potter.

Rating:
Summary: Charming
Review: No surprises here, no amazing storyline. Just the wonderfully childish imagination we've come to expect from Baum afer 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'. Though a timeless classic for people of all ages, this story is more suitable for grown-ups trying to rediscover their youth - to a certain extent anyway. Set in a fantasy realm, this book basically tells Santa's life story according to Baum's imagination. Remember the days when we left chicken legs and orange juice for Santa under the tree? Sigh... Makes a nice Christmas gift... way better than Harry Potter.

Rating:
Summary: A magical tale about the life of Santa Claus.
Review: Santa Claus. Two simple words that can make most children smile. L. Frank Baum once again has touched the spirits of many with his tale based on the legendary Santa Claus. I remember it being read to me by my father as a young child. As an adult, it is still magical with every reading. The story tells the tale of an abandoned baby in the woods who was adopted and raised by fairies in their forest. As Claus, a mortal, grows up among the fairies and other fascinating immortals, he learns all of their ways and secrets. When he is old enough, the Great Ak takes Claus on a journey to see how humans really live. After the trip, Claus leaves the fairy's forest to live on his own, for he has decided to try and help mankind. The first toy, was a cat that he had whittled, and painted to look real. It was given to a young, lost boy to comfort him. With this gift, and the help of his immortal friends, Claus began his legend of unselfish giving. Over the years, he was named a saint by the many who he touched. There are beautiful stories and illustrations of his gift-making and giving, along with those of the obstacles that he faced, including a fierce battle between good and evil immortals. From his adoption, to the night when Santa Claus became immortal, the book comes to life in the imagination. It is a tale that will touch children, as well as adults - perfect for nighttime reading during the holidays. As the holidays approach, I again look forward to losing myself in the spirit and magic,of Santa Claus.

Rating:
Summary: HOW THE LEGEND GOT STARTED
Review: The author of The Wizard of Oz deserves consideration and respect for the delightful fantasies he has provided the world. This syrupy recreation of Santa's youth, manhood and ultimate immortality is quaintly charming--if you are young at heart. There are several serious issues mentioned: if we are to die, why are we born at all? No outright religion is preached, but this is Baum's philosophy: "Everything perishes except the world itself and its keepers...but while life lasts, everything on earth has its use. The wise seek ways to be helpful to the world, for the helpful ones are sure to live again."

This book recounts how an orphan named Claus found his true calling--to bring joy to the children of the world. Every man has his own mission, but Claus' dilemma is the morality of giving gifts to rich children, when there are so many who are poor. One chapter deals with the age-old battle between Good and Evil.

Baum describes how each custom associated with the secular celebration of Christmas came into existence--without reference to the Nativity. Baum truly loved children, as he dedicated most of his writing to their enjoyment. He concludes about Sants Claus: "No one..was so greatly beloved as Santa Claus, because none other was so unselfish as to devote hismelf to making others happy. For a generous deed....spreads and leaves its mark on all nature and endures through many generations." A sentimental tale for children of all ages.

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Summary: Quick, Fun Bedtime Christmas Stories for your child!
Review: This book has very short chapters, which make it perfect for bedtime stories at Christmastime. It is a "read to your child" book but well worth the time and effort! My children want me to read it even when it ISN'T Christmas! This book is as entertaining as The Wizard of Oz- also written by this author. In fact, I liked this book better be cause it reads much faster. This book helps answer questions like:"Where does Santa come from?" and "Who IS Santa anyway?". The author offers a great way to tackle those Christmastime questions that some parents aren't sure how to answer and have fun at the same time.