Once Upon a Time... discussion

Hello fellow Fairy Tale readers,

Welcome to our discussion about The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum, your discussion leader is Gem.
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about spoilers

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Summary

Every child knows about Santa Claus, the jolly man who brings gifts to all on Christmas. There are many stories that tell of his life, but the delightful version relayed in The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is by far the most charming and original of all. Only L. Frank Baum, the man who created the wonderful land of Oz, could have told Santa's tale in such rich and imaginative detail.

Hi all! This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas Stories, I read it every year. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do.

I finished the first part. I adore all the immortals.

I am on page 22. I am reading it to my granddaughter, however, we are taking turn about with her mother with her other read alouds as well as sometimes her just wanting to read to herself before bed. The kid is even more of an avid reader than I am. LOL. She reads very quickly (much quicker than I can say words - LOL), and I have a feeling this might be one she wants to read by herself. So I will ask her tonight and we shall see who gets to read our copy first.

That's so cute! I hope to learn that you both enjoy it, and maybe that she comes up with a discussion question or two!

I have my copy checked out and am looking forward to it in the next day or two.

Lisa wrote: "I am on page 22. I am reading it to my granddaughter, however, we are taking turn about with her mother with her other read alouds as well as sometimes her just wanting to read to herself before be..."

That is awesome! I love when a child enjoys reading. So many worlds for them to enjoy.

River has actually decided that she wants me to read it to her for sure. She decided to color while listening, so it is working out well and we have progressed to page 58. She is glad that Claus has decided to stick with other animals because she told me in advance to reading the reaction to the lioness that it would terrify the children.

I'm not that far yet, but as it's short and not too difficult I'll finish soon.

Yes, Baum did have a taste, in keeping with the times, to the melodramatic.

Does your edition have the forward by Naomi Kleinberg? I found it interesting.

I don't believe so. I will double check

Hm. I'm done now. I have to say, not my cup of tea.

Cheryl wrote: "Hm. I'm done now. I have to say, not my cup of tea."

'Fraid I have to say the same.

Well, we personally love Baum. River and I are really enjoying it. She is having fun finding the reasons for the Santa tradition and description, such as why he uses reindeer and a sleigh, as we go along in the book.

That's great!

I prefer Matt Haig's A Boy Called Christmas. :)

I'm not sure, but that might be one of the books I got her for her Christmas book advent calendar. If so, she hasn't opened that one yet, so will have to wait and see.

What is that, 25 books? Wow!

Actually only 24. Her mom already had her a book for the night of Christmas eve for her to read on Christmas morning before everyone else gets up (she's a major early bird!). This book was the book for the first day, and was the only one I paid normal price for. All of the others I was able to find at a fantastic used book store and only paid fifty cents to $2 each.
River is 9 and is a book "dragon". She reads ridiculously fast. We were afraid that there was no way she could retain any information reading that quickly, but we have informally quizzed her multiple times and she does. In fact, she remembers details from books she has read a few years ago even. She frequently re-reads a book too if she really likes it.
So far, she has opened 15 books (they are visiting friends this weekend, so she didn't get her book yesterday or today) and has read 12 of them that I know of for sure, as well as multiple library books.
My daughter is kind of ready to kill me because River has only agreed to pass three of the books on to other kids. The rest she wants to take back home with her and home is in England!

Ah, a book wyrm!

I'm enchanted! I love this girl!

lol book wyrm. She most certainly is. I might have to accidentally leave some behind...our shelves at home are rather full and we don't have space for anymore. And getting her to get rid of books is very hard which I obviously identify with.

Book wyrms don't like to lose their hoards.

LOL. For sure!

Merry Christmas, everyone! I read it last night for Jólabókaflóð because I wanted to have a go at that tradition. I enjoyed it well enough. Thought it had a bit of a slow start, not sure how I feel about the idea that all toys are made by Santa. I liked the immortals and the reindeer.

I finished this selection a few days ago. I enjoy this story and enjoy it more every time I read it.

Can you say anything about why, anything that could help those of us who didn't appreciate to understand the appeal?

Cheryl wrote: "Can you say anything about why, anything that could help those of us who didn't appreciate to understand the appeal?"

Sorry Cheryl, I just saw this comment. I don't know. For me this selection is charming and I love the imagination that L. Frank Baum uses to give Santa Claus a backstory. I love fairy tales, folk tales, and retellings almost as much as I enjoy mysteries (my favorite genre). I'm sorry some of you didn't enjoy it.

Honestly, River and I both enjoyed The Life and and Adventures of Santa Claus mainly for the detail of the "lore" and traditions rather than the story itself.
I had gotten her A Boy Called Christmas for part of her advent books and we both actually enjoyed that one more for the story line and adventure.