The Complete Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
on Goodreads (7,169)
What’s inside...
L. Frank Baum's wild imagination takes up the Santa Claus story, reinventing it with a new origin myth in line with the Oz fantasies for which Baum is best known. From his humble beginnings as the only human child in an enchanted forest to his ultimate destiny as the immortal being who delivers toys to the children of the world, Santa Claus finds a sympathetic storyteller in Baum. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is a must-read for anyone who wants to recapture the childlike essence of Christmas! This edition also includes Baum's other Santa Claus story, 'A Kidnapped Santa Claus,' a sequel to The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
148 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes Santa Claus so special to people around the world?
How do you think Santa Claus feels when he delivers gifts?
What qualities do you admire in Santa Claus and why?
If you were Santa Claus, what would you do differently?
How do the different magical creatures in the story help Santa Claus?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the emotions and motivations of Santa Claus by asking how they would feel in his situation.
Discuss the concept of kindness and generosity portrayed by Santa Claus and how they can implement those qualities in their daily lives.
Ask open-ended questions that lead to creative thinking, such as imagining different scenarios or solving problems that Santa might face.
Connect the magical elements from the book to your child’s imagination by asking them to create their own magical creature that could help Santa Claus.
Praise your child’s responses to build their confidence in expressing their thoughts and opinions about the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: The character of Santa Claus is portrayed as caring and generous, going out of his way to make toys and bring joy to children.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to consider the feelings of others and express kindness by sharing their toys or helping friends in need.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Santa Claus faces numerous challenges, from crafting toys to navigating global delivery, yet he continually finds innovative solutions and never gives up.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to keep trying even when faced with difficulties, whether it be in solving a tough puzzle or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: Santa's inventive ideas for toy-making inspire imagination throughout the story.
Real-World Application: Children are motivated to use their creativity to think outside the box, whether in arts and crafts or in problem-solving scenarios at school.
Example Lesson: The importance of tradition
Explanation: The book delves into the origins of many Christmas traditions and the role of Santa in fostering these festive customs.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate and uphold family and cultural traditions, enhancing their sense of identity and belonging.
Example Lesson: Joy of giving
Explanation: Santa Claus exemplifies the joy that comes from giving without expecting anything in return, spreading happiness to children around the world.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of generosity and selflessness, encouraging them to participate in acts of giving, such as donating toys to charity or helping set the table at home.