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Goodbye, Santa

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"Never forget your time with Santa Claus.  It doesn't last forever."

Santa Claus knows that children grow up, and there must come a time for him to say goodbye to each of them.  This book tells how he does it - at least for a time.
For everyone who has seen Santa Claus first through a child's eyes, and then later from a parent's perspective, "Goodbye, Santa" is a picture book that reveals the true spirit of Santa as something everlasting.  Santa is as real today as ever, and children can be shamelessly told so.  It is wrong to burden a child with the thought, "if you don't believe then you don't receive." Instead, "Goodbye, Santa" teaches that as a child grows older her focus should shift from merely receiving presents to learning how to give them.
Use this book to help gently prepare your children to face their own tender Goodbye Years with Santa, to ready yourself for handling their difficult questions, or perhaps to simply rekindle your memories of what such years have meant to you and your family in the past.
Described as bittersweet and heartwarming, this book is one we hope will serve many, many families for generations to come.  

26 pages, Hardcover

First published October 29, 2013

231 people want to read

About the author

Jon Hieneman

1 book8 followers
Jon & Ramona Hieneman are married parents of two daughters. They have collaborated to write their first book, "Goodbye, Santa," to capture their experience answering the difficult questions children pose about Santa Claus as they grow older. The book is aimed at both young and older readers. Whether you've only seen Santa through the eyes of a child or you've experienced him as a parent too, the book offers a heartwarming and bittersweet addition to traditional Christmas.

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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Profile Image for Susie Crowder.
2 reviews48 followers
December 1, 2013
Goodbye Santa...
There have been very few times when a Christmas picture book has surprised me with its originality but I was well pleased with this new take on Santa. Written for the older child questioning the authenticity of the jolly old elf, the story tells of Santa's Goodbye List. The list contains the names of children who are getting ready to say goodbye to Santa - for a while - and begin focusing more on sharing time and love with their friends and family during the holiday. Santa writes each of these children a letter recounting his visits to them and how he will return when they have children of their own. With much of the text written as a letter from Santa to a child, readers will easily relate to the story whether they are an older child or adult. The nostalgic look of the illustrations blend quite easily with the text to create a book that will please adults and have them reminiscing about their own days with Santa as they share the book with their child. Goodbye Santa is an original, tender tale that gives children a way to continue believing in that spirit of kindness and giving that is Santa.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,413 reviews59 followers
January 2, 2014
Sentimental book about when a child stops believing in Santa Claus. Very nice way to say goodbye to Santa until you have your own children. The illustrations are soft-focused and lovely.
Profile Image for Jon Hieneman.
Author 1 book8 followers
November 25, 2013
It's biased of me to give my own book five stars, but I'm doing so because that's how it's been rated on Amazon so far!

"Goodbye, Santa" tells the story of Barnaby, a Christmas elf who is charged with a very important responsibility. He watches all year long and notifies Santa just before Christmas eve about each child who is ready to 'cross over' into the realm of non-belief. It's Barnaby who helps Santa know when it's time to say goodbye.

You will be surprised at this heartwarming, but bittersweet, story designed to help both parents and children understand and remember what Santa Claus is all about. Whether you've known Santa only through the eyes of a child, or through the eyes of a parent too, this book is something you should add to your holiday reading list every year.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews