SANTA CLAUS - SAINT NICHOLAS - ST. NICK |
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SANTA CLAUS - SAINT NICHOLAS - ST. NICK |
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| Be sure to check out the link below for more stories In The Spirit of the Winter Holidays: http://www.story-lovers.com/bareboneswinterstories.html |
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BOOKS ABOUT SANTA CLAUS - SAINT NICHOLAS - ST. NICK
Book titles are in blue and underlined. Click on them to get more information.
In performance, always credit your sources.
To retell any stories, obtain permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain.
Alphabetized for your convenience with short descriptions to save you research time.
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Can You See What I See? The Night Before Christmas by Walter Wick (illus). (2005 - Ages 4-8) The first photograph, "The Night Before Christmas," features a gingerbread house, Christmas cookies, candles, bulbs, and more. "Visions of Sugarplums" is an abstract composition of Christmas confections; and "Such a Clatter!" is a dynamic explosion of objects. In "It Must Be Saint Nick," Santa is shown in shadow; and in "A Bundle of Toys," the presents in Santa's sack are revealed as a magnificent jumble. |
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Funny Faces of Santa Claus (Funny Faces) by Roger Priddy. (2008 - Ages 4-8)Rhyming story about Santa Claus and his unusual Christmas adventures, which is fun to listen to and read. Features lights and touch and feel cover. Noisy surprises at the end of the book makes it even more fun! |
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Gift from Saint Nicholas (The)  by Dorothea Lachner, M. Dusikova and Maja Dus and Dorothea Lachner (contributors). (1999 - Ages 4-8)It is Saint Nicholas Eve and Anna and Misha are worried. It's been snowing for days and all the villagers are trapped in their houses. "Saint Nicholas Day won't be any fun if we can't get out to see Grandfather Gregor or any of our friends," says Misha. "If only Saint Nicolas would blow a path through the snow!" Saint Nicholas hears the children, but the mysterious gift he leaves in the village square is not at all what they had in mind... |
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Kringle by Tony Abbott. (2005 - Ages 9-12)A coming-of-age story about an orphan who becomes a force for good in a dark and violent time. It is a tale of fantasy, of goblins, elves, and flying reindeer — and of a boy from the humblest beginnings who fulfills his destiny.Our tale begins in 500 A.D., when goblins kidnapped human children and set them to work in underground mines. Kringle is one such child.... until he discovers his mission - to free children from enslavement. |
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Legend of Saint Nicholas (The)  by Demi (illustrator). (2003 - Ages 9-12)From his very first day of life, when he rises from his bath to pray to God, it is clear that Nicholas is a miraculous child with a spiritual destiny. As he grows he is deeply saddened by the sickness, suffering, and death that he witnesses every day. Looking to use his special gifts to affect change in the often desperate world around him, Nicholas dedicates his life to worshiping the Lord and helping those in need. |
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Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (The) by L. Frank Baum with Michael Haque (illus). (2003 - Ages 9-12)Every child knows about Santa Claus, the jolly man who brings gifts to all on Christmas. There are many stories that tell of his life, but the delightful version relayed in The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is by far the most charming and original of all. Only L. Frank Baum, the man who created the wonderful land of Oz, could have told Santa's tale in such rich and imaginative detail. |
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Night Before Christmas (The)  by Clement C. Moore with Mary Engelbreit (illus). (2004 - Ages 4-8)Readers young and old are invited into the enchanting world of Mary Engelbreit in this sparkling edition of the classic poem. It is the night before Christmas, in a house so cozy and colorful, so filled with expectation, so dusted with Christmas magic that only this beloved illustrator could have created it. Shhh. A mouse is asleep in its snug den and children are dreaming as sugarplum fairies flutter around their bed. Then there's the jingle of bells... |
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Night Before Christmas Pop-up (The) |
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Night Before Christmas (The): A Magical Cut-Paper Edition by Clement C. Moore/Niroot Puttapipat (illus). (2007-Ages 4-8)Clement C. Moore’s "Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas," first published in 1825, spurred a revision of Yuletide traditions with its image of a merry Santa Claus beloved by children around the world. Now a keepsake, cut-paper edition of the poem, with exquisite illustrations by Niroot Puttapipat, elicits the magic of the season through moonlit silhouettes. |
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Night Before Christmas (The): The Heirloom Edition by Christian Birmingham and Clement C. Moore. (2001 - Ages 4-8)This deluxe volume is nothing short of dazzling--an heirloom-quality treasure to take out each holiday season and read aloud with family and friends. This elegantly designed version is printed on heavy art stock, with cloth binding, tipped-on illustration, and foil stamping in copper and gold. Vibrant full-color images bring this beloved poem to life as never before. |
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Pirate's Night Before Christmas (A)  by Philip Yates with Sebastia Serra (illus). (2008 - Ages 4-8)Young mateys will find plenty of holiday joy in this humorous, colorful, and thoroughly piratical version of the beloved Clement C. Moore classic. On this ship of mischievous brigands—who have visions of treasure chests, not sugarplums, dancing in their heads—you wouldn’t expect a visit from nice St. Nick. Instead, here comes Sir Peggedy, with his peg leg and hook arm, cracking his whip and driving eight giant seahorses: Salty, Scurvy, Sinbad, Mollie, Cutthroat, Cross-Eyes, Roger, and Jolly. |
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Polar Express (The) by Chris Van Allsburg. (1985 - Ages 4-8)One couldn't select a more delightful and exciting premise for a children's book than the tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve only to have Santa Claus sweep by and take him on a trip with other children to the North Pole. And one couldn't ask for a more talented artist and writer to tell the story than Chris Van Allsburg. The Polar Express rings with vitality and wonder. |
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Santa Claus by Rod Green with Carol Wright, Simon Danaher and Jon Lucas (illustrators). (2006 - Ages 4-8)Have you ever wondered how Santa's sleigh really works? Or what reindeer eat? Or just how big the North Pole's mailroom must be? Well, this Christmas all of your questions will be answered with this ultimate book of SANTA CLAUS. This is your lavish behind-the-scenes tour of the history, the mystery, and the magic of Jolly Saint Nick. |
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Santa's Reindeer by Rod Green with Carol Wright, Jon Lucas and Clayton McDermott (illustrators). (2007 - Ages 4-8)Find out all about how Santa and his Sleigh Master train the Sleigh Team at the North Pole. Discover just what reindeer games the team likes to play and what they love to eat. Learn everything you ever wanted to know in this beautifully illustrated look at the North Pole's most magical inhabitants. Then watch out on Christmas Eve. |
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Scratch & Sniff Night Before Christmas (A) (Scratch & Sniff) by Clement C. Moore/Maggie Swanson (illus). (2007 - Ages 4-8) Peppermints, popcorn, and hot apple cider: with a scratch and a sniff, Clement C. Moore’s perennial holiday favorite comes deliciously alive as never before. Populated by animal characters (including a bear-y merry St. Nick), every brightly illustrated spread features a different delectable Christmas smell for kids to uncover: spicy nutmeg sprinkled on favorite foods, the aroma of blue spruce trees, the leather reins on Santa’s sled, oranges in his sack, and a whiff of warm pie crust. |
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Teachers' Night Before Christmas (Night Before Christmas Series) by Steven Layne/James Rice (illus) (2001 - Ages 9-12)In this energetic romp through a school's last days before the Christmas break, the students are full of energy and are up to all manner of mischief. But the teachers are pulling out their hair trying to keep the students busy, while they despair over their own Christmas preparations. Who should come to the rescue? Santa himself, of course! And he arrives at the helm of a flying school bus, with presents for all the teachers and a promise to take care of their shopping for them. |
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When Santa Fell To Earth by Cornelia Funke. (2006 - Ages 9-12)Scared by a storm, Twinklestar, the least reliable reindeer, bolts--causing Santa and his sleigh to crash-land. And though Santa has dropped into a friendly neighborhood, he's not safe: Jeremiah Goblynch, the ruthless new leader of the Council of Yuleland, is determind to put an end to children's wishes and turn the holiday season into his own personal moneymaking scheme. Only Santa stands between Goblynch and his grinchlike plan... |
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When Santa Turned Green by Victoria Perla. (2008 - Ages 9-12)A creative holiday story that introduces kids to environmental awareness with ways that they can make a big difference. It's November up in the North Pole. Everything's going along smoothly at Santa's workshop until he discovers a leak in his roof. Santa soon learns that this little leak is connected to a far bigger problem. The North Pole is melting because of something called global warming! Faced with the reality of what this could mean for Christmas, not to mention the planet and the future, Santa is determined to turn things around. |
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Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus: The Classic Edition by Francis P. Church. (2002 - Ages 9-12)In 1897, a young girl wrote to The New York Sun asking whether Santa Claus truly existed. The paper's response, written by reporter Francis P. Church, has become a beloved holiday literary tradition. An original approach to a children's classic, this captivating book creatively reinterprets that heartwarming letter about the truth behind Santa Claus and Christmas. It is accompanied by charming Victorian artwork. |
ONLINE LINKS TO STORIES AND INFORMATION ABOUT SANTA CLAUS - SAINT NICHOLAS - ST. NICK
Online links are in blue and underlined . Click on them to get more stories and information.
Story titles are in quotation marks.
To retell any of the stories, get permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain.
Short descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.
• http://chucklarkin.com/stories/Christmas_2.pdf
Old Christmas vs. Epiphany & the Birth of Santa Claus & Etc. - A story from Chuck Larkin in 1997 mentions Santa in passing - as in "way north in the Burzee forest, in winter. The Burzee is the same enchanted forest where Santa Claus grew up and became 'Father Christmas.'"
Santa Claus and Christmas jokes:
• http://www.101santa-claus.com/jokes.html
• http://www.ahajokes.com/csanta.html
• http://www.corsinet.com/braincandy/jkxmas.html
• http://www.humormatters.com/holidays/Christmas/xmasjokes.htm
• http://www.corsinet.com/braincandy/qsaanta.html
SOS - SEARCHING OUT STORIES AND INFORMATION ABOUT SANTA CLAUS - SAINT NICHOLAS - ST. NICK
Advice, Comments and References from Storytellers, Teachers and Librarians
(excerpts from Storytell posts plus original research)
Book titles and online links are in blue and underlined. Click on them to get more information.
In performance, always credit your sources.
To retell any of these stories, get permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain.
Story titles are in quotation marks.
Posts are entered chronologically as they are received at Story Lovers World.
1) Query: Are any of you telling stories, professionally, about Santa Claus? Or know of storytellers with Santa stories in their repertoire?
Responses:
a) I try to stay away from Santa stories as many of the schools in my area frown upon it. However, I do tell two stories which mention Santa or the spirit of Christmas. The first is "Santa Visits the Moes" (found in Ready-To-Tell Tales (American Storytelling)by Holt and Mooney) a variation on the "Twist Mouth Family," also known as "The Snoops Family." The second tale is "The Baker's Dozen." It is an American folktale and there are two new adaptations in book form by Heather Forest and another by Aaron Shepard. There is no mention of Santa but rather Saint Nicholas. You can find Aaron's version on his website at
GOS #7 ~ "The Baker's Dozen"
http://www.aaronshep.com/storytelling/GOS07.html
Of course, I have also recited "T'was the Night Before Christmas" at certain times.
b) My favorite is "Christmas Eve and there's trouble at the North Pole because Santa's in the bathtub and he won't get out!"
c) Is this a take off on King Bidgood's in the Bathtub: Book and Musical CD (Caldecott Honor Books)? It is one of my favorite picture books. I read this book and The Napping House many many many times to my girls when they were young.
d) I sometimes tell "How Drango Saved Christmas" and "Wilbur and the Candy Cane Machine" (original stories) in shows as well as bring Santa to life on the Magic Drawing Board.
Bob S.
http://drango.com/storiesandmagic/
e) Did anyone mention The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
f) Another from Hope Baugh - The Gft from Saint Nicholas - also in picture book format, by Dorothea Lachner, translated by J. Alison James. A story of how Santa helps a snowed in town celebrate and share.
g) One of the all time greats is Carl Anderson in Austin, TX. He's a storyteller/psychologist who did his thesis on Santa Claus. He's been on all the national news channels and does Santa every year for a big time mall down here. He knows EVERYTHING about Santa and has even published a book. You can read about him online. He's been on all the national news channels.
http://www.thistlemouse.com/2006_thistlemouse_productions_004.htm
h) Since it will be winter you can always do the snowflake cut-and-tell tale. Children love this and it is a good closer for the show. Or you could adapt "Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle." I used this at Christmas last year and had the friends going up and down the hills to fetch their friend to go sleeding on the snow.
Full text:
http://tinyurl.com/5nmoaj
"The Queen Who Longed for Snow" is a great winter tale full of fun participation for the children and adults too! Found in Crazy Gibberish: And Other Story Hour Stretchesby Naomi Baltuck
The Russian folktales Marushka and the Month Brothers and the Snow Maiden and Other Russian Tales, The (World Folklore Series)also work very well.
Karen C. 10/2/05
i) Sorry I can't give you a source for this story. It was in a Golden Magazine or some such children's magazine years and years ago.
"Mrs. Santa saves Christmas"
Bones:
Mrs. Santa sends Santa off, sits down to rest.
Rocks on puppy's tail, looks at tag. Puppy is supposed to go to Tommy.
What to do?
Mrs. Santa puts on Santa's old 2nd best suit, stuffs pillow in front.
Gets out old sleigh from shed.
Harnesses Dunder, a retired reindeer.
Takes puppy and off they go.
They stop to rest several times because Dunder is so old.
Stop in an alley, the puppy escapes, Mrs. Santa chases him down the street.
Puppy goes into large building. Church party is in progress. Mrs. Santa chases puppy, children chase Mrs. Santa. Mrs. Santa grabs puppy and climbs out window.
Runs around building, jumps in sleigh. Dunder takes off.
Delivers puppy.
Slowly flies home, puts Dunder and sleigh away.
Changes clothes.
Sits down in rocking chair.
Santa returns, sees her asleep. Wonders why she is so tired. You'd think it was she who had traveled around the world.
Mrs. Santa smiles. It is her secret but she knows she saved Christmas.
Rose the story lady 10/9/05
2) Here are Santa Claus books for sale:
"We all know who Santa is, right?
We all know he's the jolly old elf in red who magically appears every Christmas to bring happiness into our lives.
But what about the rest of the year?
Have you ever wondered what Santa did the rest of the year?
Well wonder no more.
Thanks to an exciting fun filled series of Santa Stories written by Nathan Steingart and beautifully illustrated by Sean Thorne and S.B. Dow, we can follow Santa on such exploits as 'Going to the Dentist, getting new glasses, taking a vacation, going to the barber and even celebrating Thanksgiving and Santa's birthday'.
These wonderfully written rhyming stories are fun to read by and to children, of all ages. Each book comes with a companion CD of the author himself narrating the story and featuring his unique "talking pages", allowing your child to easily follow along as the story is being read.
http://www.santastories.net/
Randy K. 10/25/05
3) Santa Claus, as we know him in current times, was constructed by a wealthy New Yorker who didn't want his wife and children cavorting with the low-class communities on the streets. Thinking of the Dutch tradition of St. Nicholas, and seeking some more home-based traditions for the family to celebrate Christmas, he constructed the idea of Santa Claus, the gift giver. And then there was the famous poem, written by another New Yorker for his children, later published without his knowledge. It's been a goal of mine to collect contemporary American stories about Santa Claus -- across the whole range of life experiences, from an innocent and believing child, to learning "the truth", to creating Santa Claus for children, to missing the days when the kids believed. St. Nicholas, on the other hand, might yield some traditional stories, but I haven't seen any. You might just have to make a few up!
Lee-Ellen M. 12/7/05
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READING LIST OF POEMS ABOUT SANTA CLAUS - SAINT NICHOLAS - ST. NICK
Poems can serve as the starting places for stories - so I looked into the literature online database available from my college. Here are the results some of them wonderful the search was Santa Claus, the second search on Santa picked up just a few more...
• Baylis, Samuel Mathewson, 1854-1941. [Author Page] SANTA CLAUS' NARROW ESCAPE. 4Kb
• Canton, William, 1845-1926 [Author Page] SANTA CLAUS 1Kb
• Carleton, Will, 1845-1912 [Author Page] FARMER STEBBINS AS SANTA CLAUS. 6Kb
• Carleton, Will, 1845-1912 [Author Page] TOMMY AS SANTA CLAUS. 5Kb
• Carleton, Will, 1845-1912 [Author Page] What Santa Claus Was Like 6Kb
• Cawein, Madison Julius, 1865-1914 [Author Page] SANTA CLAUS 3Kb
• Coffin, F. B. (Frank Barbour), b. 1871 [Author Page] My Bible. 3Kb
• Coffin, F. B. (Frank Barbour), b. 1871 [Author Page] Santa Claus on New Years Eve. 5Kb
• Crichton Smith, Iain. [Author Page] Santa Claus 2Kb
• Daley, Victor J. (Victor James), 1858-1905. [Author Page] Little Santa Claus and Big Santa Claus 3Kb
• Dodge, Mary Mapes, 1830-1905 [Author Page] A SANTA CLAUS MESSENGER-BOY 1Kb
• Dorr, Julia C. R. (Julia Caroline Ripley), 1825-1913 [Author Page] SANTA CLAUS 3Kb
• Eady, Cornelius, 1954- [Author Page] Santa Claus (come straight to the ghetto) 3Kb
• Fawcett, Edgar, 1847-1904 [Author Page] SANTA CLAUS. 3Kb
• Gale, Norman, 1862-1942 [Author Page] THE LAST CHIMNEY 3Kb
• Johnson, Fenton, 1888-1958 [Author Page] A PLANTATION SANTA CLAUS. 2Kb
• Phillips, Stephen, 1868-1915 [Author Page] SANTA CLAUS FUND 1912 3Kb
• Reed, Tennessee [Author Page] CARE OF/ THE NORTH POLE 3Kb
• Riley, James Whitcomb, 1849-1916 [Author Page] TO SANTA CLAUS 3Kb
• Riley, James Whitcomb, 1849-1916 [Author Page] A DEFECTIVE SANTA CLAUS 21Kb
• Runcie, John [Author Page] HELP SANTA CLAUS. 3Kb
• Thaxter, Celia, 1835-1894 [Author Page] SANTA 1Kb
• Thompson, Aaron Belford, 1883-1929 [Author Page] SANTA CLAUS' SLEIGH RIDE. 3Kb
• Whitman, Sarah Helen, 1803-1878 [Author Page] TO 'SHIRLEY:' The good Santa Claus who sent me David Gray's Poems. 3Kb
• Whitman, Sarah Helen, 1803-1878 [Author Page] SANTA CLAUS. 4Kb
Conrad B. 12/11/05
Created 2001; last update 3/14/10
Story Lovers World ... 707-996-1996 |
by Clement Clarke Moore with Robert Sabuda (illus) (2002 - Ages 4-8)