Santa Claus in Oz

by L. Frank Baum, Johnny Heller (Narrator)

Here in one recording are both of L. Frank Baum's Santa Claus stories:
In The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, Baum gives us a glimpse into the magical history that surrounds the life story of Santa Claus. In A Kidnapped Santa Claus, we find out what happens when Santa is kidnapped shortly before Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Audiobook, Fantasy, Childrens, Classics, Juvenile

Audio CD

First published November 6, 2012

About the author

also wrote under the names:
* Edith van Dyne,
* Floyd Akers,
* Schuyler Staunton,
* John Estes Cooke,
* Suzanne Metcalf,
* Laura Bancroft,
* Louis F. Baum,
* Captain Hugh Fitzgerald

Lyman Frank Baum was an American author best known for his children's fantasy books, particularly The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, part of a series. In addition to the 14 Oz books, Baum penned 41 other novels (not including four lost, unpublished novels), 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. He made numerous attempts to bring his works to the stage and screen; the 1939 adaptation of the first Oz book became a landmark of 20th-century cinema.
Born and raised in Chittenango, New York, Baum moved west after an unsuccessful stint as a theater producer and playwright. He and his wife opened a store in South Dakota and he edited and published a newspaper. They then moved to Chicago, where he worked as a newspaper reporter and published children's literature, coming out with the first Oz book in 1900. While continuing his writing, among his final projects he sought to establish a film studio focused on children's films in Los Angeles, California.
His works anticipated such later commonplaces as television, augmented reality, laptop computers (The Master Key), wireless telephones (Tik-Tok of Oz), women in high-risk and action-heavy occupations (Mary Louise in the Country), and the ubiquity of advertising on clothing (Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work).

Reviews

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time, a fairy discovers a little baby and decides to raise him. He turns out to be the kindest and most generous man who ever lived. He invented toys and happiness and was eventually granted sainthood and immortality. His name is Santa Claus.

If you've ever seen Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, you probably have a pretty good idea of what happens in Santa Claus in Oz. The setting is different, and the mythical creatures vary, but the general story is the same, explaining how various Christmas traditions, such as trees and stockings, came to be. It's not at all historically accurate, but it's a fun read in a classic style. I liked it better as an audiobook where it was easier to filter out a lot of the redundancy that seemed to plague children's literature of Baum's era. I understand why this volume has been largely forgotten compared to the Wizard of Oz, but it's fun enough as a short festive read.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comes in audio only. I wasn't sure about this book, but it turns out, it was delightful. Baum tells the story of Santa Claus from his birth until (his) present day. I enjoyed how he explained all of the fokelore and why Santa is and why Santa does. Children of all ages will enjoy this story.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK - (GR recommended descriptor for 2 stars). That is how I felt. This is a story describing the origin of Santa Claus and many of the traditions that go with him (reindeer, "sledge", elves) and how he eventually became immortal. It was cute, and way predates Santa Claus is Coming to Town, but growing up with the latter, it's pretty hard to beat the Burgermeister Meisterburger as Santa's nemesis (vs the Awgwas here). I think it could be a fun story to read with kids, though it is definitely dated in areas (but young children prob wouldn't catch those references). I mostly got it because I hadn't realized that Frank Baum wrote a Christmas book, so was curious. The audiobook was brief, just over 3 hours, so was an easy listen while baking cookies.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baum’s version of the origin of Santa Claus is fun and intriguing. Some of the elements reminded me of other origin stories, like the baron who objected to children receiving gifts from Santa. As old as this version is, I wonder who created the originals.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun! Everything about Santa Claus is explained with great imagination!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and fun story for the whole family.

[Daniel Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fantastical origin story told for a young audience.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantastical account of Santa's origin story. I struggled to get into this story at the beginning. It picked up once Santa became...well, Santa.

[Bill Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very wide-eyed and innocent.

Charming.

[Emmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this weird story. I didn’t really have expectations going into this but I’m really glad I picked it up.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

children of rich not happier than poor, joy is in being alive, battle between good and evil, demon of selfishness hatred envy malice vs repentance.

[Ervin.rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

How on earth did I not know that this book existed!!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd already read and loved The Life and Adventures of Santa, but it was fun to share it with the boys. A Kidnapped Santa was a cute and fun addition.

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun fantasy about Santa Claus. It tells a story of his origin and how he grew into the immortal gift giver everyone is familiar with.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and charming origin story for Santa Claus. Fun all around.

[Stephanie Waterhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I love to read at least one Christmas story a year. This was an audible tale.

This is the tale of Santa Claus from the time he was found until his being granted immortality. We learn how Santa came to make toys and give them away to children...choice in using reindeer...first Christmas tree...origin of hanging stockings by the chimney and so much more. All of this taking place in Laughing Valley.

As Santa aged his body was too weak to deliver the toys on one Christmas Eve, so the elders agreed to and made him immortal - The Patron Saint of Children.

Well written and told in a manner that painted vivid pictures. Loved it!!!

There is another tale included in this narration about Demons of the Caverns and their attempt to hinder Santa from ever again delivering toys to the children.

Highly recommend.