DISPLAY: Where Did Santa Come From?

Where Did Santa Come From?
These are books, some fictional and some informational, tell the origin of the Santa Claus legend.

Children's Novels
A Boy Called Christmas
By Matt Haig
Alfred A. Knopf, 2016. Fiction. 234 p.
Nikolas, the boy who would one day be known as Santa Claus, goes on a life-changing quest to the North Pole.

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
By Frank L. Baum
H. Holt, 2003. Fiction. 175 p.
A human foundling child, adopted by a wood-nymph and raised by the creatures who inhabit a magical forest, grows up to be the immortal Santa Claus.

Picture Books
The Legend of St Nicholas
By Anselm Grun
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2014. Picture Book. 26 p.
An introduction to the saint who is the inspiration for giving.

The Bearer of Gifts
By Kenneth C. Steven
Dial Books for Young Readers. 1998. Picture Book. 32 p.
After a Laplander wood carver gives the Christ child a special present, he is inspired to bring gifts to other children, and becomes known as Father Christmas.

The Legend of St Nicholas: a Story of Christmas Giving
By Dandi Daley Mackall
Zonderkidz, 2014. Picture Book. 32 p.
As Nick does last-minute Christmas shopping, he sees several Santas and overhears one retelling the legend of Saint Nicholas, which he takes to heart as he examines his own attitudes towards gift-giving.

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
By Adil Janeen and Frank L. Baum
R.P. Kids. 2009. Picture Book. 54 p.
A picture book version of Baum's classic tale of a human foundling child, adopted by a wood-nymph and raised by the creatures who inhabit a magical forest, grows up to be the immortal Santa Claus.

Children's Informational
The Real Santa Claus
By Marianna Mayer
Phyllis Fogelman Books, 2001. Informational. 32 p.
An account of the life and times of the Bishop of Myra, who lived during the fourth century and on whom the legend of Santa Claus was based.

Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend
By Julie Stiegemeyer
Concordia Pub. House, 2003. Informational, 28 p.
A retelling of the legend in which Saint Nicholas generously supplies the dowries for three girls from a poor family.

Santa: My Life and Times
By Martin Green
Avon Books, 1998. Informational. 128 p.
Old Kris Kringle himself tells the story of his life, throwing light on his childhood, on the workings of his toy shop, and on the mysteries of his Christmas Eve flight.

Santa Who?
By Gail Gibbons
Morrow Junior Books, 1999. Informational. 32 p.
Describes the origins and evolution of Santa Claus, from the Turkish Saint Nicholas to the jolly, red-suited Santa of today. Also discusses similar legendary figures in other cultures.

Comments

Review: Faker

Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...

Review: Fresh Start

Fresh Start By Gale Galligan New York: Graphix, 2025. Graphic novel. 270 pages. Ollie Herisson is only in 7th grade, but she has already lived all over the world. Her father is an American diplomat, whose job has taken their family to France, Singapore, Thailand (where her mom is from), and now to Chestnut Falls, Virginia. Ollie loves that her family doesn't stay in one place very long, it allows her to have a fresh start and hide from any embarrassing moments each time they move. But Ollie's parents have big news -- they've decided to buy a house in Virginia and put down roots. Now, Ollie and her younger sister Cat have to figure out how to build lasting friendships which means resolving conflict rather than running away when things get hard. Loosely based on the author's own childhood experiences, this graphic novel is sure to be popular with readers who like coming of age stories. Watching Ollie learn to think of others as she advocates for her sister Cat, and navig...

Review: Will's Race for Home

Willl's Race for Home By Jewell Parker Rhodes Little Brown & Company, 2025. Fiction. 256 pages. Will is a young man whose father and family are working the land as sharecroppers in Texas. When Will's father comes home with the news that there is land available in Oklahoma to those who can stake and settle it, Will's father expresses his deep desire to go and claim land for their family. Will begs to be included, but his mother is reluctant to let him go. After input from the entire family, they decide that Will is ready for the responsibility. Along the way Will and his father develop a deeper appreciation for each other, form deep friendship, discover hidden enemies, and encounter many challenges which force them to make difficult decisions. Will's father has to rely heavily on him, especially as they get closer to their final destination. Will's bravery is inspiring and commendable. This book is full of many amazing elements: suspense, adventure, fr...

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