The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | L. Frank Baum |
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| Illustrator | Mary Cowles Clark |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Bowen Merrill |
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Publication date
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April 12, 1902 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| OCLC | 3343074 |
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is a classic children's book from 1902. It was written by L. Frank Baum, who also created The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This book tells the amazing origin story of Santa Claus, explaining how he became the beloved gift-giver we know today.
The Story of Santa Claus
Santa's Early Life
The story begins with baby Santa Claus being found in the Forest of Burzee. Ak, a powerful immortal known as the Master Woodsman, places the baby with a lioness named Shiegra. But soon, a kind Wood Nymph named Necile adopts him and raises him.
When Claus grows up, Ak shows him the human world. Claus sees many sad things like war, people being mean, and children not being cared for. Because he can't live in Burzee as an adult, he moves to a happy place called the Laughing Valley of Hohaho. The immortal beings often help him there, and Necile gives him a little cat named Blinky.
How Toys Were Invented
In the Laughing Valley, Claus becomes known for his kindness to children. One day, a boy named Weekum visits him. Claus had carved a small figure of Blinky to pass the time. He gives the finished carving to Weekum, calling it a "toy."
Soon, the immortals start helping Claus make more carvings. The Ryls, who have special paint pots, color the toys. When Claus makes a clay figure that looks like Necile, he calls it a "dolly" so children won't know it's named after Necile. He gives the first doll to a girl named Bessie. Later, he makes dolls that look like Bessie or even like real babies.
The Awgwas and Night Deliveries
Evil invisible creatures called Awgwas try to stop Claus from giving toys to children. They steal the toys because the toys make children behave better. This makes Claus start delivering toys at night and going down chimneys when doors are locked.
The Awgwas steal so many toys that Ak declares war on them. With help from Asiatic Dragons, Three-Eyed Giants, Goozzle-Goblins, and Black Demons, the Awgwas think they are stronger. But they and their allies are defeated. Claus is not part of the battle. After it's over, Ak simply tells him, "The Awgwas have perished."
Reindeer and Christmas Eve
As Claus continues his journeys, two deer named Glossie and Flossie help him by pulling his sleigh full of toys. With their help, he even reaches the land of the Gnome King, who trades sleigh bells for toys for his own children.
Wil Knook, who supervises the deer, decides that Glossie and Flossie can only help Claus one day a year: Christmas Eve. He thinks this will keep them home for most of the year. But the Fairies bring back the toys the Awgwas stole, so Claus can still have his first Christmas deliveries. As Claus keeps giving gifts, people start calling him "Santa," which means "Saint" in many languages.
Christmas Trees and Stockings
Claus notices stockings hanging by the fire to dry and realizes they are perfect places to leave surprises. But when he finds a family living in a tent without a fireplace, he places gifts on the branches of the trees outside their tent. This is how the idea of Christmas trees began.
Santa Becomes Immortal
When Claus is around 60 years old, the Immortals realize he is getting old. A council of powerful beings, led by Ak, gathers to decide Santa's future. They include the Gnome King, the Queen of the Water Spirits, and the Fairy Queen.
After much discussion, they decide to make Santa Claus immortal just as the Spirit of Death comes for him. This means Santa will live forever and continue his important work.
At the end of the book, the immortal Santa Claus chooses four special helpers: Wisk the Fairy, Peter the Knook, Kilter the Pixie, and Nuter the Ryl.
Book Adaptations
The story of The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus has been made into different movies and shows!
Rankin-Bass Animated Movie (1985)
This animated movie first aired on CBS in 1985. It tells a shorter version of the book's story. The film uses a special type of stop-motion animation called Animagic.
In this version, the council meeting where Santa gets his immortality is a main part of the story. It explains why he deserves to be immortal. The lioness Shiegra goes with Claus to the Laughing Valley, where it's always winter. Santa also has eight unnamed reindeer, which is different from the book. A new character, Tingler, a Sound Imp, joins Santa and gives him someone to talk to.
Mike Young Animated Movie (2000)
This animated film features "Nicholas" (Santa's name in this version) as a bigger character. The evil Awgwas are a constant problem throughout the movie. Some character names are changed, like Bessie Blithesome becoming "Natalie."
In this film, the Gnome King's gift exchange is replaced by Natalie returning her doll to Nicholas. This inspires others to give and receive gifts. A big change is Wisk, who becomes a long-tailed Pixie and provides funny moments. Ak, who tells the story, chooses Christmas as the day for Santa's rides because it's so special.
Oz Kids Video
The Oz Kids video called "Who Stole Santa?" is based on the part of the book where the Awgwas kidnap Claus. In this video, an adult Dorothy Gale tells Santa's life story to her children and friends.
Graphic Novel
A graphic novel version of the story was published in 1992. In this version, the Gnome King is in charge of almost everyone, and he looks like the Nome King from the movie Return to Oz. He also has a Knook and a Ryl who are always with Claus.
Anime Series
An anime series called Shōnen Santa no Daibôken ("Young Santa's Adventures") aired in Japan in 1994. It had 24 episodes.
Some of the characters and their Japanese voice actors include:
- Claus: Mifuyu Hiiragi
- Santa Claus: Masato Yamanouchi
- Blinky the cat: Hekiru Shiina
- Ak: Tōru Shinagawa
- Necile: Nobuko Shinokura
- Shiegra (lion): Urara Takano
Sequels and Related Stories
L. Frank Baum wrote other stories that connect to The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.
A Kidnapped Santa Claus
In 1904, Baum wrote a short story called "A Kidnapped Santa Claus". In this story, the Daemons from the caves try to kidnap Santa Claus to stop him from delivering toys. But Santa's helpers finish the job for him!
The Road to Oz
In Baum's 1909 Oz book, The Road to Oz, Santa Claus is a special guest at Princess Ozma's birthday party in the Emerald City. He brings some Ryls and Knooks with him. They return home in giant soap bubbles made by The Wizard of Oz.
