The Man in the Red Suit: A Memoir by Templeton, Bruce (September 15, 2012) Hardcover

by Bruce Templeton

During the past 33 years, St. John's businessman Bruce Templeton has devoted the month of December to visiting children and assisting Santa Claus. At school parties, country clubs, or in the critical-care unit of hospitals, young people ask him profound questions about Santa Claus and the true meaning of Christmas. Templeton has collected hundreds of stories and questions during more than 1000 visits - some of them curious, some happy, and some heartbreaking. In his memoir of three decades he shares some of the most unforgettable questions. Templeton always tries to bring hope and joy through his visits, but he often finds it is the children who change his life and the lives of those who assist him on these extraordinary journeys. For readers who enjoyed the bestselling Tuesdays With Morrie and Everything I Need To Know, I Learned from a Children's Book, Bruce Templeton's memoir will fill them with enough inspiration and joy to last an entire year.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Canada

Hardcover

First published September 15, 2012

Reviews

[Mj · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Man in the Red Suit by Bruce Templeton is a memoir of one month of his life for over thirty years. At others’ urging Bruce Templeton, became Santa Claus every December in his hometown of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Planning for this month involves the entire year leading up to December when Templeton fills his days with 5-8 visits to places where he knows his presence will make a difference. He visits children’s’ hospitals, seniors’ homes, and numerous events for children and their families sponsored by non-profit agencies for those less advantaged. The annual Santa Claus parade is just one highlight of Templeton’s many holiday activities.

Templeton is a prominent businessman who once travelled the country in a successful management career in sales. He and his wife made a life-changing decision and Templeton resigned from his job to return home to Newfoundland. He realized he had been travelling too much and not seeing enough of his family. Settling in one place made spending more time with his family a daily possibility.

Once home, others urged him to become Newfoundland’s Santa Claus - a challenge he took up with the same vigour he put into his career and family. His wife supported him every step of the way - finding out the names and stories of children and parents that Templeton would meet during live events and then prompting him with these details during the events using electronic devices. This way Templeton could call everyone by name and ask pertinent questions. Such personalization brought huge smiles and lit up the faces of both the children and their parents.

The stories are heart warming and they tug at your hearts. Templeton mentions he learned far more from the children with their questions and their responses than they ever learned from him. He also feels he benefited far more and received back much more than he gave.

This is a wonderful story to read during the Christmas season. It is about one man who does make a difference by giving of himself and his time during this special time of year. One cannot help but be inspired by him and the book’s stories to contribute more of oneself on a personal level, not just in December but also year round. The book richly demonstrates the benefits of giving rather than receiving. I plan to read this book again next year. It is a quick read and very uplifting. This book is perfect for the holiday season when peace, joy and love are especially important and giving becomes such an integral part of this special time of year. A 4 star read but reduced to 3 stars primarily due to its novella like brevity.

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpected gem. My girlfriend picked it up at a craft fair and then left it sitting on a shelf for a couple years, not expecting much from it. But she picked it to read on a snow day and loved it! So I read it too, and enjoyed it just as much. The book is simply a series of stories from the man who was the official St. John's Santa, and boy let me tell ya a lot of them really hit you right in the feels. Not every story is super emotional of course, but they're all very charming - wide-eyed as they are and devoid of the slightest cynicism. It's a quick read, and one I expect to repeat each Christmas. Worth picking it up if you come across it for a holiday treat.

4/5

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching read to get you in the holiday spirit

This book was recommended to me by a friend and I am grateful for it. What a fantastic reminder of what’s most important in life from
The man who’s seen it all, Santa. Funny, touching, heartbreaking and real, Santa shared his real life anecdotes from over 30 years.

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice memoir but the stories did not feel fully developed. It wasn't bad or necessarily good. It was ok.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring 🎅

[Helen Kempster · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the most beautiful little Christmas book I have ever read!

[Maggie BB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful and touching look into the magic of Santa and the amazing work he does. I feel blessed to live in a city with such an extraordinary citizens doing such fantastic work to bring Christmas miracles and spirit to life not just for children but for people of all ages.
A truly inspiring read, which certainly tugs at the heart strings and will definitely make your heart grow two sizes too big.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and inspiring, this is surely, a great read this time of year. Mr. Templeton's efforts bring hope and compassion to the Season as it is meant to be. A quick read that will bring smiles and tears...I believe in Santa.

[Candice Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odd time of year to be reading this, I know!

A really wonderful book from a selfless man. Sometimes a little preachy, but I'm amazed by such people. I have new respect for my little St. John's community now.

[Judy LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not much of a non-fiction reader but I liked this little book about Santa's adventures in St. John's. I will have to pick up his next installation.

[Amy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and heartwarming Christmas read.