Book Review: Santa Claus: The Beginning

IndieBookView

Dec 7

Santa Claus: The Beginning

by Terry Broxson

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction / Holiday

ISBN: 9798891320130

Print Length: 84 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Reviewed by Samantha Hui

"Santa is not a what. Santia is a who, and Santa is you. You'll be known as Santa Claus. It's a name which means to give freely and lovingly."

Santa Claus: The Beginning is a reimagining of how the well-known, all-seeing gift giver came to be such. Terry Broxson's story of Santa Claus takes us through the childhood of the boy who would become Santa Claus and the first two years in his role as Father Christmas. The book is about friendship, kindness, and love. We learn that normal people who have so much to offer the world can be destined for greatness.

"I get a picture in my mind of what I want to carve. I then hold the wood in my hand, and I can feel the image in the wood. It's as if lines are created on the wood for my knife to follow."

In 1820 Boston, Massachusetts, a master toy maker adopts two young orphans with the goal of mentoring them to be toy makers just like himself. Rudolph Stern taught Benjamin Timmons and John Nicholas all that he knew, and made sure they were educated in math, reading, and geography as well. As John grew older, his mentor and his best friend passed away, leaving him to take care of the toy shop. Through his kindness, expertise in toy making, and leadership, John Nicholas is tasked with training elves, reigning in reindeer, and creating joy for children around the world.

"Behold the toy shop for the world's children. John, you're not dreaming, but your head still might hurt with all you have to do."