Santa calls

by William Joyce

Book Overview

Art, inventor, crime-fighter and whiz-kid, his friend Spaulding and sister Esther are called upon by Santa himself to journey to Toyland in the North Pole. Art builds the Yuletide Flyer to get them... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 059048074X
• ISBN13: 9780590480741
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Lavish illustrations accent this truly classic tale

In the weird and wonderful world of William Joyce, everything looks like a Little Nemo cartoon, and "Santa Calls" is no exception. You have to experience Joyce's illustrations to appreciate their lush intricacy, but even they aren't as good as this book's warm story, the tone of which perfectly captures the "Boy's Life" fiction of the American West, circa 1908. Spunky Art Atchison, along with Spaulding his pal and Esther his little sister have a thrilling adventure after Santa calls them all North. They battle dark elves and evil queens with gee-whiz pluck (and a candy-bomb of Art's own design). But even THAT isn't the big hug in the book---it's the very end that makes this gem a keeper. Few read those two letters and go away untouched. Every year several gooey Christmas books come out, both religious and secular, and very few are worth much. But years after purchasing this one, we still pull it out and comb the rich pictures for new details. Forget the "Ages 5-9" recommendation for this: "Santa Calls" is for everybody!

A story for little sisters everywhere!

William Joyce's books topped the list of family favorites when my boys were smaller. Even as they have passed the "4-8 years" level suggested, this remains a seasonal favorite of my now 10 and 14 year olds. The story is utterly charming and quirky at once. Art and his friend Spaulding discover a mystery box in the back yard one day, which propels them on an adventure that grudgingly includes Art's little sister Esther. Typical of Joyce's "Dali-esque" illustration, the North Pole takes on a surreal appearance, and the story takes a wild turn, with a neat little surprise in the epilogue. Joyce never fails to delight his readers with his wry view of life. This book is a wonderful foil for the more traditional holiday reads for kids, and one the grown ups can enjoy fully as well.

Fantastic!

This is a beautiful book, that tells a sweet story of the true spirt of Christmas. Since our family is from Texas it has a special homey touch as well.

Call on "Santa Calls!"

"Santa Calls" deserves to take a place among classic children's (age 2 - 104) Christmas books! I can't figure out the Kirkus review comment that this is somehow a take-off on "Polar Express" and "more style than substance." "Santa Calls" offers MORE than pretty illustrations (they are more like, art-deco "way-cool.") And the story explores, among other things, sibling rivalry, the earnest hopes of children to be accepted fully into family life, the importance of sometimes keeping secrets, and the potential of redemption in misguided kids (Whew! Sounds like a good dose of substance to me!) Best of all, the Mrs. Santa is NOT the stereotypical "Jonathan Winters in drag" sort of depiction. She is classy and stylish (what a coat and hat!) and has a noticeable tinge of self-confidence. THIS is the "Mrs. Claus" that *I* want to believe in! The end of the book consists of two letters -- one from the central girl character and another which is a response from the Big Guy himself. They appear to be the real things -- conveniently pasted into the back cover of the book! Nice way to get kids to appreciate the art of letter-writing at an early age. Do call on this book, you won't be disappointed.

Santa helps out a little sister who is lonely

This was a book about a boy that was mean to his sister until a box from santa changes that. This book was about a sister who wanted her brother to be her friend . . . and a secret between Santa and her. I rate the book 9 because it was so good it even told you the letter that she got from Santa at the end of the book. You have to read it! Byron La Fleur (3rd grader)