Santa Who?

By Gail Gibbons

Book Overview

The author/illustrator of Behold . . . the Dragons and The Honey Makers describes the origins and evolution of Santa Claus, from the Turkish Saint Nicholas to the jolly, red-suited Santa of today.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688155286
• ISBN13: 9780688155285
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 5 years and up
• Grade Range: Preschool and higher

Customer Reviews

interesting and informative

Very interesting book aimed at children but still entertainin and informative for adults. Addresses the cultural history of Santa. How he started and how the image of him changed through the ages. Covers Saint Nicholas, Santa customs around the world, the decision to make Dec. 25 Christmas Day, Father Christmas, winter solstice, elves in Scandanavian countries, Italy's Befana, early Christmas traditions in America, Washington Irving's description of Santa, Clement Clarke Moore's Twas the Night Before Christmas, and Thomas Nast's early drawings of Santa. Nicely illustrated, as well.

Santa Through the Ages

It has been a while since this book crossed my desk, but I felt I had to give a more informative review than the only other review here to date. While I don't recall all the details of this book I do remember being impressed with the thorough examination of the changes through the centuries of the idea of Santa Claus. I felt this book would be a very good way for an elementary aged child to learn more about the history of Santa than what they see watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer every December. I am not partial to any organized religion, especially christianity, and I was not offended by this book because I felt it was fairly objective. The author presents a clear picture of all the different people and legends that contributed to our idea of who Santa is.