Jolly Old Santa Claus: A Christmas Classic

by Patricia A. Pingry, George Hinke (Illustrator)

Santa Claus works with his elves to get the toys ready for Christmas Eve, visits all the boys and girls with his presents for them, and relaxes back at home after his work is done, in a simplified, board-book version of a holiday classic.

Genres: Christmas, Childrens, Picture Books, Holiday

26 pages, Board book

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t begin the imagine how many times I’ve read this Christmas classic to my children over the years. My copy is published in 2005, identifying the author as Mary Jane Tonn and the illustrator as the incomparable George Hinke. The combination of the spectacular paintings and the “let’s explore/do you see/can you find” interactive text makes for a perfect read aloud. I didn’t realize that the original was much larger and included additional images of pillow fights and Santa smoking a (gasp!!) pipe. I will be trolling EBay for that!
Not knowing what was missing, my children and I have adored this book for many years.

[Rod Brown]

I read this aloud to my wife and daughter, and their immediate reaction was basically, "Why do we own this?"

This board book has a short sentence on each spread that seems almost jarring when juxtaposed against the incredibly busy and detailed art of the accompanying illustration. And the pictures are teeming with the creepiest and tiniest elves I've ever seen in Santa's workshop.

The back cover says it is based on a "classic tale," so I did some research and found that the original Jolly Old Santa Claus story appeared in Ideals magazine in 1961, credited to "Sparkie." It was turned into a book illustrated by George Hinke, edited by Van B. Hooper, and still credited to "Sparkie." Later editions finally revealed the author to be Mary Jane Tonn, a/k/a Maryjane Hooper Tonn, a/k/a the editor's daughter. It's a nepo-baby Christmas!

I haven't read Tonn's version of the story, but it looks very wordy and seems to make more sense of everything happening in Hinke's illustrations. In 1984, Alice Leedy Mason adapted the story into verse, re-using the Jolly Old Santa Claus title and pictures. Then in 2000, Patricia A. Pingry simplified the story to an extreme degree for this board book, using only a handful of Hinke's many illustrations.

I still don't know why we bought this book, but at least now I know why it exists.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if this is exactly the version I read. This is a book I have had since I was a child and it's been a favorite of mine and my grandchildren's for years. We read it every year at Christmas. The copy I have is an Ideals publication and the illustrations are amazing!

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems like the artist made a lot of paintings then asked someone to make them into a book. Seemed like several iconic pictures of Santa.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old St Nick loved this book ...

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

My young boys and I love the attention to detail in the vintage style illustrations. The writing is sweet but so-so, so the artwork will make this one worth rereading for us.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the pictures from this book in one of the books I remember reading as a child. This is a great hard board book which is perfect for my youngest. My second youngest giggled through the whole book - I know it's because of the illustrations. They are great!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the artwork as a kid! Still do, in fact.

[Becca Holcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Santa and the brownies are at it again preparing for the next year full of gifts and excitement. This is a great holiday read.

[The Hope]

2 copies