The Adventures of Nicholas

by Helen Siiteri

This is a story you might tell if you wanted to combine all the things you love about Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Childrens, Holiday

82 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this book out every year from one of my elementary schools and loved it. I've been searching for it for years (not knowing the author and unsure of the exact title hindered the hunt) and finally found it. What a nice dip into pages of yore.

[Robyn Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family read the 1966 Scholastic version of this story around 1969 or 1970. I was 9 or 10.

I loved this book and shared it with my husband during our first Christmas season as a married couple. He loved it also.

I honestly do not remember reading it to our son, born in 1990. I know I fully intended to. Perhaps I couldn't find it!

I may still have my old copy somewhere. This is a treasure, a lifetime favorite.

[Katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. Very light reading, shy on substance for each "story" (chapter). The premise is to explain traditions of the figure of St. Nick through fictionalizing a life & childhood of an orphan named Nicholas-- poor attempts to explain the sleigh, the reindeer, the suit, etc. The ideas are weak in themselves, but also pointless. Why bother, when there are actual reasons behind these traditions, and in fact, they are practiced differently around the world? It's not like there's a void to fill. Information abounds behind traditions. This book does not add to the lore & legend of Santa Claus, but muddies the water without adding value. Pish-posh.

[Annburnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on how Santa and the sleigh and reindeer came to exist. It also explains how Santa might have learned how to make toys and how the tradition is carried on in his memory.

[Catherine De Zwart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept on how the traditions of "Santa Claus" came to be

[Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable.

[Jessika Hoover · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quaint little book that describes how many of our myths and traditions surrounding Santa came to be. Children would probably get enjoyment out of this, but it was just an okay read for me.

[Christy Medley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read every Christmas. It is a story about how all the Christmas extraditions came to be. It definitely gets you in the Christmas spirit.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story. This is a perfect story of the spirit of Nicholas, Santa Claus. It made my heart so happy.

[Juergen John Roscher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I try to read several Christmas books each yuletide season and ‘The Adventures of Nicholas’ I bought several years ago but never read it. After recently reading the subtitle of this children’s book, ‘The Wonderful Life and Complete Account of That Famous Toymaker and Children’s Friend, Nicholas Better Known as Santa Claus’, I decided to read the it since I like Christmas stories that try to define the origins of Santa Claus and different Christmas traditions.

This is a children’s book that chronicles the life of Nicholas, the orphan boy, who becomes a master toy builder, who gives toys each Christmas to the boys and girls of his village, and becomes the beloved figure of Saint Nicholas. The book tells of how different Christmas traditions were developed such as toys for children, reindeer pulling a sled, Nicholas’ red suit, decorating evergreen trees, and other common Christmas folklore.

This is a simple book that can be read to younger children that tells how many of the traditions of Christmas were created by the generous and caring Nicholas the woodcarver.

This was an enjoyable, quick read which I recommend to those that love children’s Christmas books, especially books on the origin of Santa Claus and other Christmas traditions. This book would be fun to read with younger children over the age of five or six years old.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom found this book several years ago and gave it to me. She got it at a book fair (I was obsessed with those in elementary school) and used to read it every year, so I started doing that too.
It's a cute story combining all the common Christmas traditions and theories about Santa. He has reindeer, a sleigh and even a red suit lined with rabbit fur. He goes down the chimney of an old miser, who thinks he's trying to steal his gold. He even sets up the first Christmas trees for stranded gypsies.
My favorite parts are the Christmas trees and any part with Holly in it. Nicholas helps her become more courageous and it's very fable-y and cute.
In all, this is a simple and fun read for Christmas. It always makes me feel nostalgic.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I had always seen on my mom's shelf but had never read until I found it again as an adult. This portrays Santa Claus, not as a magical being, but as a kind man who lived years ago. If you are looking for a different Christmas story to read I would suggest this. Do note that it was adapted in 1966 from The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by Julie Lane, which was written in 1932. Usually, I'm not one for adaptations; I figure if the author had wanted the work to be shorter, they would have written it that way, but this is a really cute book.

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite Santa Claus story. I first read a simplified version of this book when I was a child. When my kids started asking about Santa Claus, I bought this book and it was part of the family Christmas tradition until they all left the house. All my children have a copy of this book. Even this year (2017) one of my thirty something daughters asked if we would read it again.

(2021) My daughters were here for Christmas and we read the book again.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book aloud to my wife and Baby A. This was a fun book to read about the legend of Nicholas, the first stocking, the first Christmas tree, etc. I look forward to read this book again when my son or daughter is a little tot!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this to the kids as well. It tells of how Santa Clause came to be etc.

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children truly enjoyed this little book. When they were very young, tt was a favorite to read at holiday time.

[Megan Mweemba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book at Christmas time every year, and have since I was a kid. It's a really enjoyable, sweet book. :)

[Karen McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a wonderful story of the meaning of gifting. It is one I plan to read to my grandchildren or my surrogate grandchildren!

[Bitsy]

1966

[Christopher Madsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this book about the origins of Santa in grade school. Any child will love to read this or have it read out loud,