A tale of the forgotten Santa. Santa Clown delivered his gifts with a joke and a laugh until one Christmas Eve he disappeared into the night and was replaced by his brother Santa Claus. Santa Clown was forgotten, lost in the mists of old Christmas's. Now there is trouble in Santa's Workshop! Saboteurs are wrecking the production lines and demanding the return of the Forgotten One; "Shoot Santa Claus down, Bring back the Santa Clown". Mr Drole, the long suffering Head Troll, is trying desperately to meet the Christmas Eve deadline whilst hunting the trouble-makers and sorting out his messed up love life; can the gifts be delivered as usual or is this the Christmas when it all falls part? Whatever happens, Christmas will never be the same again. A searing Christian-Marxist fantasy analyzing rampant Christmas commercialism, a critique of unsustainable models of growth and delivery and a warning against intra-species relations or just a very silly story about Elves?

Much of the modern-day vision of Santa Claus is owed to the Clement Moore poem "The Night Before Christmas." His description of Saint Nicholas personified the "jolly old elf" known to millions of children throughout the world. However, far from being the offshoot of Saint Nicholas of Turkey, Santa Claus is the last of a long line of what scholars call "Wild Men" who were worshipped in ancient European fertility rites and came to America through Pennsylvania's Germans. This pagan creature is described from prehistoric times through his various forms--Robin Hood, The Fool, Harlequin, Satan and Robin Goodfellow--into today's carnival and Christmas scenes. In this thoroughly researched work, the origins of Santa Claus are found to stretch back over 50,000 years, jolting the foundation of Christian myths about the jolly old elf.

He's a symbol of hope and hapiness, of generosity and benevolence. Santa Clause is simply one of the most beloved legends ever embraced. The Story of Santa explores the history of Father Christmas. Who is he, really? Where did he come from? (His origins may surprise you!) Why does he fulfill our wishes? And what can we learn from him? He's become a ubiquitous figure during the Christmas season with his white beard, red suit, and prominent belly, but just how much do those celebrating the happy holiday really know about Santa Claus? Here is the whole story from the beginning—including the pre-Santas like Sinterklaas, Father Christmas, and of course, St. Nicholas. This beautifully illustrated book celebrates all things Santa ranging from the much-loved poem "The Night Before Christmas" to the songs, movies, images, and stories that are loved by both young and old. Along the way, it explores the favorite stories that have sprung up around him, including Santa’s elves, his workshop, Santa’s beloved reindeer and the legend of Mrs. Claus and the North Pole abode where she and her husband make their home. You'll even learn the secret to how Santa has time to visit every house around the world in just one night (a mathematician explains how it’s physically possible).

This is a comprehensive history of the world's midwinter gift-givers, showcasing the extreme diversity in their depictions as well as the many traits and functions these characters share. It tracks the evolution of these figures from the tribal priests who presided over winter solstice celebrations thousands of years before the birth of Christ, to Christian notables like St. Martin and St. Nicholas, to a variety of secular figures who emerged throughout Europe following the Protestant Reformation. Finally, it explains how the popularity of a poem about a "miniature sleigh" and "eight tiny reindeer" helped consolidate the diverse European gift-givers into an enduring tradition in which American children awake early on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought. Although the names, appearance, attire and gift-giving practices of the world's winter solstice gift-givers differ greatly, they are all recognizable as Santa, the personification of the Christmas and Midwinter festivals. Despite efforts to eliminate him by groups as diverse as the Puritans of seventeenth century New England, the Communist Party of the twentieth century Soviet Union and the government of Nazi Germany, Santa has survived and prospered, becoming one of the best known and most beloved figures in the world.

Best: Santa Claus Frolics: a one-of-a-kind retelling of hilarious performances by a very entertaining Santa. Schmalz has been a humorous professional Santa for eighteen holiday seasons. Best: Santa Claus Frolics recounts the many hysterical encounters he had with young and old alike. The result is an warm compilation of Santa encounters with children as well as adults. Great holiday reading with humor that will last through out the year. An easily read and gratifying book. As heartwarming as it is witty. Schmalzs' literary style will bring you emotionally into each holiday encounter. The retelling of poignant visits with children will help you reconnect with your own warm childhood memories. Destined to become a holiday classic, Best: Santa Claus Frolics is a wonderful stocking stuffer. But funny enough to enjoy all year long. Connect with Schmalz at [email protected].

This holiday, Good Press presents to you this unique collection of the greatest Christmas classics and the most beloved animal tales to warm up your heart and rekindle your holiday sparkle: The Tailor of Gloucester (Beatrix Potter) The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter) Black Beauty (Anna Sewell) The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame) The Wonderful Wizard of OZ (L. Frank Baum) The Adventures of Reddy Fox (Thornton Burgess) The Adventures of Johnny Chuck (Thornton Burgess) The Adventures of Peter Cottontail (Thornton Burgess) The Old Mother West Wind (Thornton Burgess) The Story of Doctor Dolittle (Hugh Lofting) The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (Hugh Lofting) The Story of a Nodding Donkey (Laura Lee Hope) Little Bun Rabbit (L. Frank Baum) The Velveteen Rabbit (Margery Williams) The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (E. T. A. Hoffmann) The Story of a Stuffed Elephant (Laura Lee Hope) Peace on Earth, Good-Will to Dogs (Eleanor Hallowell Abbott) Kittyboy's Christmas (Amy Ella Blanchard) The Naughty Reindeer (Amelia C. Houghton) Miss Muffet's Christmas Party (Samuel McChord Crothers) The Animals' Christmas Tree (John Punnett Peters) The Mouse and the Moonbeam (Eugene Field) The Cricket on the Hearth (Charles Dickens) The Christmas Cuckoo (Frances Browne) The Silver Hen (Mary E. Wilkins Freeman) The Sparrow and the Fairy (Georgianna M. Bishop) The Wonderful Bird (Georgianna M. Bishop) The Little Mud-Sparrows (Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward) The Little Gray Lamb (Archibald Beresford Sullivan) How Freckle Frog Made Herself Pretty (Charlotte B. Herr) Cat and Dog Stories (Walter Crane)

This holiday, we present this unique collection of the greatest Christmas classics and the most beloved animal tales to warm up your heart and rekindle your holiday sparkle: _x000D_ The Tailor of Gloucester (Beatrix Potter)_x000D_ The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter)_x000D_ Black Beauty (Anna Sewell)_x000D_ The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame)_x000D_ The Wonderful Wizard of OZ (L. Frank Baum)_x000D_ The Adventures of Reddy Fox (Thornton Burgess)_x000D_ The Adventures of Johnny Chuck (Thornton Burgess)_x000D_ The Adventures of Peter Cottontail (Thornton Burgess)_x000D_ The Old Mother West Wind (Thornton Burgess)_x000D_ The Story of Doctor Dolittle (Hugh Lofting)_x000D_ The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (Hugh Lofting)_x000D_ The Story of a Nodding Donkey (Laura Lee Hope)_x000D_ Little Bun Rabbit (L. Frank Baum)_x000D_ The Velveteen Rabbit (Margery Williams)_x000D_ The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (E. T. A. Hoffmann)_x000D_ The Story of a Stuffed Elephant (Laura Lee Hope) _x000D_ Peace on Earth, Good-Will to Dogs (Eleanor Hallowell Abbott)_x000D_ Kittyboy's Christmas (Amy Ella Blanchard)_x000D_ The Naughty Reindeer (Amelia C. Houghton)_x000D_ Miss Muffet's Christmas Party (Samuel McChord Crothers)_x000D_ The Animals' Christmas Tree (John Punnett Peters)_x000D_ The Mouse and the Moonbeam (Eugene Field)_x000D_ The Cricket on the Hearth (Charles Dickens)_x000D_ The Christmas Cuckoo (Frances Browne)_x000D_ The Silver Hen (Mary E. Wilkins Freeman)_x000D_ The Sparrow and the Fairy (Georgianna M. Bishop)_x000D_ The Wonderful Bird (Georgianna M. Bishop)_x000D_ The Little Mud-Sparrows (Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward)_x000D_ The Little Gray Lamb (Archibald Beresford Sullivan)_x000D_ How Freckle Frog Made Herself Pretty (Charlotte B. Herr)_x000D_ Cat and Dog Stories (Walter Crane)

This holiday, e-artnow presents to you this unique collection of the greatest Christmas classics and the most beloved animal tales to warm up your heart and rekindle your holiday sparkle: _x000D_ The Tailor of Gloucester (Beatrix Potter)_x000D_ The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter)_x000D_ Black Beauty (Anna Sewell)_x000D_ The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame)_x000D_ The Wonderful Wizard of OZ (L. Frank Baum)_x000D_ The Adventures of Reddy Fox (Thornton Burgess)_x000D_ The Adventures of Johnny Chuck (Thornton Burgess)_x000D_ The Adventures of Peter Cottontail (Thornton Burgess)_x000D_ The Old Mother West Wind (Thornton Burgess)_x000D_ The Story of Doctor Dolittle (Hugh Lofting)_x000D_ The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (Hugh Lofting)_x000D_ The Story of a Nodding Donkey (Laura Lee Hope)_x000D_ Little Bun Rabbit (L. Frank Baum)_x000D_ The Velveteen Rabbit (Margery Williams)_x000D_ The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (E. T. A. Hoffmann)_x000D_ The Story of a Stuffed Elephant (Laura Lee Hope) _x000D_ Peace on Earth, Good-Will to Dogs (Eleanor Hallowell Abbott)_x000D_ Kittyboy's Christmas (Amy Ella Blanchard)_x000D_ The Naughty Reindeer (Amelia C. Houghton)_x000D_ Miss Muffet's Christmas Party (Samuel McChord Crothers)_x000D_ The Animals' Christmas Tree (John Punnett Peters)_x000D_ The Mouse and the Moonbeam (Eugene Field)_x000D_ The Cricket on the Hearth (Charles Dickens)_x000D_ The Christmas Cuckoo (Frances Browne)_x000D_ The Silver Hen (Mary E. Wilkins Freeman)_x000D_ The Sparrow and the Fairy (Georgianna M. Bishop)_x000D_ The Wonderful Bird (Georgianna M. Bishop)_x000D_ The Little Mud-Sparrows (Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward)_x000D_ The Little Gray Lamb (Archibald Beresford Sullivan)_x000D_ How Freckle Frog Made Herself Pretty (Charlotte B. Herr)_x000D_ Cat and Dog Stories (Walter Crane)