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How Santa Got His Job
Have you ever wondered what Santa did before he was Santa?
When Santa was young and needed a job, no one was looking for a man in a red suit to deliver gifts on Christmas. So Santa tried just about everything -- from a chimney sweep to a postman to a circus performer. But none of these worked out. It wasn't until he met a group of elves who helped him use all his special talents, that Santa was able to find his dream job.
When Santa was young and needed a job, no one was looking for a man in a red suit to deliver gifts on Christmas. So Santa tried just about everything -- from a chimney sweep to a postman to a circus performer. But none of these worked out. It wasn't until he met a group of elves who helped him use all his special talents, that Santa was able to find his dream job.
32 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
December 15, 2014
Even Santa needed to try a few jobs before finding what he was meant to do best!
September 2, 2013
A cute story about Santa growing up that is unlike anything you've ever read about Santa. How he met his reindeer, why he knows so much about chimneys, and his reason for weight gain are just some of the questions answered in this book. My 5 yr old really liked it but it had him questioning everything he knew about Santa. If you don't feel like answering a lot of unusual questions about Santa's life growing up, this book isn't for you. If, however, you approve of alternative stories regarding your favorite beloved characters, by all means, add this to your library. The kids will get a kick out of it.
September 1, 2008
How Santa Got His Job is a wonderful children's picture book.This story would be a fictional cultural folktale. The story begins when Santa is a young man search for a job. He goes through quite a few jobs before finding his niche. This clever story shows the steps necessary for Santa to go through in order to become the legend which he is today.
This would be great to use in the classroom.
Activity #1:I would use it to show cause and effect (He worked at a zoo and met the reindeer.) It is also a great way to show how persistence pays off in the long run. The teacher could give the students imaginary situations and ask the students what the cause and effect of each situation would be.
Activity #2:Another theme in this book is that jobs involve teamwork. Children should be taught to work together to accomplish large goals. Students could play games involvint teamwork. This book proves it.
I really enjoyed this book!
This would be great to use in the classroom.
Activity #1:I would use it to show cause and effect (He worked at a zoo and met the reindeer.) It is also a great way to show how persistence pays off in the long run. The teacher could give the students imaginary situations and ask the students what the cause and effect of each situation would be.
Activity #2:Another theme in this book is that jobs involve teamwork. Children should be taught to work together to accomplish large goals. Students could play games involvint teamwork. This book proves it.
I really enjoyed this book!
February 5, 2019
This book was a great read. I used this book to help tutor my students at McGuffey Elementary as well. This is a funny book that shows Santa at multiple jobs from a young age to old. It shows the progress of how Santa started low of the scale to become Santa. This is a great children’s read!
December 16, 2018
A sweet story sharing one author's vision of how Santa came into the role he plays today. :)
January 1, 2018
A tad long winded for a three year old, but I liked the creative concept. I also like the illustrations.
December 25, 2019
Cute, fresh, and funny story that explains why delivering gifts on Christmas Eve is perfectly suited to Santa Claus’ unique skill set.
December 30, 2020
Clever concept. Delightful. I have enjoyed so many holiday books. Thank you.
December 14, 2021
This looked cute. But boy was it not.
The ad paper on the front of the book might as well have been in Greek. Was it in English? Was it supposed to make sense?
This immediately was odd. And I didn’t like this retelling of things.
It just didn’t make sense, wasn’t good, was random.
It’s modern times, which is odd. Santa has been around for a LONG time so this made no sense.
Santa is young and doesn’t want an office job—I feel the same. He liked being on the move.
He cleaned chimneys but never got dirty. Why?? How?? And could fit in tight spaces. People didn’t trust he’d actually cleaned the chimneys cause he was spotless. So that created problems and he got a new job.
He worked for the post office. Didn’t like wasting time in traffic so he delivered mail at night. People got upset at that, so he had to get a new job.
He became a cook at an all-night diner. He gave people extras,& tasted it all himself and got big.
He tried working at a zoo hoping to get exercise. He was ‘organized about the animals’ and knew “when they they are sleeping and when they are awake.” What?? That makes no sense. How does being organized help that?? Any keeper can tell when they’re asleep! Like what?
He knew when they behaved themselves or not. Okay…? I see the author is making connections here but it’s just lame.
Santa became close with the reindeer, which made all the other animals jealous so the zoo let him go. What?!? What zoo has reindeer?!
And the layout of the zoo was absurd. Lions right there, in an enclosure with a low fence, monkeys beside giraffes beside vultures in a cage, next to the reindeer and peacock!
This requires too much suspension of disbelief.
The reindeer cheer Santa up. BY LEAVING THE ZOO. And no one tried to get them back?! And they join a circus! Wtf?!
The reindeer shoot him out of a panic. And he’s in a red costume? Okay, not even trying to make connections, just jamming traditional stuff in.
The ringmaster wanted Santa to act scared but he wasn’t. He yelled Ho Ho Ho.
I literally can’t take this.
They’re all fired and elves come to him for autographs. Elves? How is that an ok word? Does the author mean little people? Elves just exist in this world? They invite him for dinner at their house/toy shop.
The elves hired HIM to deliver their toys!
The elves built a toy sack and a sleigh, that the polar bears pulled, but the sleigh couldn’t go in the water. Reindeers pulled it.
Santa had an emergency kit of compass, ski goggles, cough drops. Why??
He’s gotten better at it and loves his job but keeps his emergency kit ‘because no job is perfect.’
This was so random. Idl this retelling at all. It was too ridiculous and bizarre and silly and required too much suspension of disbelief. It made no sense.
This acts like Santa is more than one man. If he got the job when he was older than he’s not gonna be doing it for long. Unless he and the elves don’t age? But that wasn’t addressed. This makes it sound like Santa has been around for mere decades maybe ten or 20, but that doesn’t even remotely line up with the timeline of Santa.
This was not enjoyable at all, it was annoying and absurd and not cute like the title or cover seemed.
The ad paper on the front of the book might as well have been in Greek. Was it in English? Was it supposed to make sense?
This immediately was odd. And I didn’t like this retelling of things.
It just didn’t make sense, wasn’t good, was random.
It’s modern times, which is odd. Santa has been around for a LONG time so this made no sense.
Santa is young and doesn’t want an office job—I feel the same. He liked being on the move.
He cleaned chimneys but never got dirty. Why?? How?? And could fit in tight spaces. People didn’t trust he’d actually cleaned the chimneys cause he was spotless. So that created problems and he got a new job.
He worked for the post office. Didn’t like wasting time in traffic so he delivered mail at night. People got upset at that, so he had to get a new job.
He became a cook at an all-night diner. He gave people extras,& tasted it all himself and got big.
He tried working at a zoo hoping to get exercise. He was ‘organized about the animals’ and knew “when they they are sleeping and when they are awake.” What?? That makes no sense. How does being organized help that?? Any keeper can tell when they’re asleep! Like what?
He knew when they behaved themselves or not. Okay…? I see the author is making connections here but it’s just lame.
Santa became close with the reindeer, which made all the other animals jealous so the zoo let him go. What?!? What zoo has reindeer?!
And the layout of the zoo was absurd. Lions right there, in an enclosure with a low fence, monkeys beside giraffes beside vultures in a cage, next to the reindeer and peacock!
This requires too much suspension of disbelief.
The reindeer cheer Santa up. BY LEAVING THE ZOO. And no one tried to get them back?! And they join a circus! Wtf?!
The reindeer shoot him out of a panic. And he’s in a red costume? Okay, not even trying to make connections, just jamming traditional stuff in.
The ringmaster wanted Santa to act scared but he wasn’t. He yelled Ho Ho Ho.
I literally can’t take this.
They’re all fired and elves come to him for autographs. Elves? How is that an ok word? Does the author mean little people? Elves just exist in this world? They invite him for dinner at their house/toy shop.
The elves hired HIM to deliver their toys!
The elves built a toy sack and a sleigh, that the polar bears pulled, but the sleigh couldn’t go in the water. Reindeers pulled it.
Santa had an emergency kit of compass, ski goggles, cough drops. Why??
He’s gotten better at it and loves his job but keeps his emergency kit ‘because no job is perfect.’
This was so random. Idl this retelling at all. It was too ridiculous and bizarre and silly and required too much suspension of disbelief. It made no sense.
This acts like Santa is more than one man. If he got the job when he was older than he’s not gonna be doing it for long. Unless he and the elves don’t age? But that wasn’t addressed. This makes it sound like Santa has been around for mere decades maybe ten or 20, but that doesn’t even remotely line up with the timeline of Santa.
This was not enjoyable at all, it was annoying and absurd and not cute like the title or cover seemed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2023
What fun to read about how Santa got his job: Although I haven't thought about this for years, I used to have part-time work as Mrs. Santa.
My costume wasn't excellent, but it was effective enough. Mainly it consisted of a bright red nightgown that I bought from K-Mart, predecessor of Wal-Mart. To complete my "look" I added a white belt that I made of fake fur; plus, I'd wear one of the family's Santa hats (as though I'd borrowed one of the great man's chapeaux from our living room closet).
You see, Goodreaders, from 1990-2010, I worked for some top flight entertainment companies. Mostly I used the system of Face Reading Secrets®, inspiring people and helping them to appreciate their own physical faces. For this I dressed cute enough. Usually I didn't need to costume myself so as to impersonate Mrs. Santa.
But around holiday season, sometimes the entertainment company would have me alternate jobs. First I'd read faces as a physiognomist for parents; then I'd go to a large room of very expensively dressed children. I'd answer their questions about my life with husband Santa, at the North Pole.
OBVIOUSLY, THEN, I'M CURIOUS TO LEARN HOW THE REAL SANTA GOT HIS GIG
This ingenious tale by Stephen Krensky is often laugh-out-loud funny, and always strangely plausible. One example:
When Santa's reindeer were shooting Santa out of a cannon (three times a night):
The ringmaster wanted to build up the suspnse.
"You need to look frightened," he told Santa.
FIVE STARS because I love this book! Bet you and your kids will too.
My costume wasn't excellent, but it was effective enough. Mainly it consisted of a bright red nightgown that I bought from K-Mart, predecessor of Wal-Mart. To complete my "look" I added a white belt that I made of fake fur; plus, I'd wear one of the family's Santa hats (as though I'd borrowed one of the great man's chapeaux from our living room closet).
You see, Goodreaders, from 1990-2010, I worked for some top flight entertainment companies. Mostly I used the system of Face Reading Secrets®, inspiring people and helping them to appreciate their own physical faces. For this I dressed cute enough. Usually I didn't need to costume myself so as to impersonate Mrs. Santa.
But around holiday season, sometimes the entertainment company would have me alternate jobs. First I'd read faces as a physiognomist for parents; then I'd go to a large room of very expensively dressed children. I'd answer their questions about my life with husband Santa, at the North Pole.
OBVIOUSLY, THEN, I'M CURIOUS TO LEARN HOW THE REAL SANTA GOT HIS GIG
This ingenious tale by Stephen Krensky is often laugh-out-loud funny, and always strangely plausible. One example:
When Santa's reindeer were shooting Santa out of a cannon (three times a night):
The ringmaster wanted to build up the suspnse.
"You need to look frightened," he told Santa.
FIVE STARS because I love this book! Bet you and your kids will too.
December 22, 2023
This "new to me" (but initially published in 1998) book was one I picked up this week at our local Third Place Books.
Is it because I just saw Wonka in the theater (which I also very much enjoyed) that made this Santa origin story especially appealing to pick up? Well, I can't discount it, but there's no denying it was a great choice to add to my purchases. Basically, it's the story of how Santa bounces from one job (chimney sweep, postal carrier, all-night diner cook, zoo caretaker, and circus performer...), looking for just the right fit for his admittedly niche skillset. #Relateable, especially to me, an admittedly late "bloomer" in terms of career.
And it explained a lot. (I, for one, have always thought Santa has a whiff of the ex-carni about him.) And it turns out that while polar bears are great swimmers (of course), it's altogether a different scenario when they are weighted down with a sleigh.
It's a great reminder, especially at the end of another busy year, that every day, week, month, and more brings more and more opportunities for learning--about the world, and about ourselves.
I read it to my family in the car and it was enjoyed by all. So, if you are looking for a fun (but logical) origin story for Santa to share with your family, this one is great. It also pairs well with Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen's How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
Is it because I just saw Wonka in the theater (which I also very much enjoyed) that made this Santa origin story especially appealing to pick up? Well, I can't discount it, but there's no denying it was a great choice to add to my purchases. Basically, it's the story of how Santa bounces from one job (chimney sweep, postal carrier, all-night diner cook, zoo caretaker, and circus performer...), looking for just the right fit for his admittedly niche skillset. #Relateable, especially to me, an admittedly late "bloomer" in terms of career.
And it explained a lot. (I, for one, have always thought Santa has a whiff of the ex-carni about him.) And it turns out that while polar bears are great swimmers (of course), it's altogether a different scenario when they are weighted down with a sleigh.
It's a great reminder, especially at the end of another busy year, that every day, week, month, and more brings more and more opportunities for learning--about the world, and about ourselves.
I read it to my family in the car and it was enjoyed by all. So, if you are looking for a fun (but logical) origin story for Santa to share with your family, this one is great. It also pairs well with Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen's How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
September 2, 2017
Summary:
This is a story about Santa and how he got his job to deliver toys to all the children in the world in one night. The story goes through the various jobs Santa had before he got his job today and how they prepared him for what he does now.
Evaluation:
I chose to give this book four stars because I find it to be a fun, intriguing book for students. Most, if not all, students are aware of Santa Claus and what he does, so this book is quick to stark interest in the students. I liked how the book went through the numerous jobs Santa had before he found the job that he does today. With each job there are characteristics of the Santa that we hear about all the time. It teaches the students that everything they do in their lives is going to prepare them for their ultimate goal.
Teaching:
I would teach this book in the classroom around the holiday season. With this book, I would focus on teaching my students about the different jobs in the economy. For example, Santa was a chimney cleaner, baker, zookeeper, etc. before he was the Santa Claus the all know of today. I would ask my students to think about themselves and their interests and name some real world jobs they think they might enjoy doing.
This is a story about Santa and how he got his job to deliver toys to all the children in the world in one night. The story goes through the various jobs Santa had before he got his job today and how they prepared him for what he does now.
Evaluation:
I chose to give this book four stars because I find it to be a fun, intriguing book for students. Most, if not all, students are aware of Santa Claus and what he does, so this book is quick to stark interest in the students. I liked how the book went through the numerous jobs Santa had before he found the job that he does today. With each job there are characteristics of the Santa that we hear about all the time. It teaches the students that everything they do in their lives is going to prepare them for their ultimate goal.
Teaching:
I would teach this book in the classroom around the holiday season. With this book, I would focus on teaching my students about the different jobs in the economy. For example, Santa was a chimney cleaner, baker, zookeeper, etc. before he was the Santa Claus the all know of today. I would ask my students to think about themselves and their interests and name some real world jobs they think they might enjoy doing.
March 10, 2019
I read this on FACETIME with my granddaughter who at the time was 7. We really enjoyed it. It is another Santa’s first Job and how he was called NIC. Only thing was my granddaughter kept asking me to use the funny lady voice. I was not familiar with that term nor do i think i use a funny lady voice so i told her i was confused about what she want. She said Oh our teacher uploaded a YouTube video of a woman reading the blood and she does each charactecter in the book with a different funny voice. HA now this is what it come to not even reading to the kids in school. Sad. But seems like she got more of a kick out of that and will stick with her over time. I think the fact that we FaceTime so often still hasn’t worn off on me especially with a cute book li8ke this to be able to read, whether or not you use funny voices. Still was a gem of a book.
December 22, 2020
I watched the read aloud video of this book on YouTube by Little cub Literacy.
Sam reads the book and I love the way she reads. The illustrations were awesome.
Santa’s Stuck by Rhonda Gowler Green is such a beautiful feel good book.
The book explains how Santa was a chimney cleaner, a postman, a chef, an helper at the zoo and a performer at the circus and how all his previous experiences helped him in his job as Santa.
I would recommend this book to all the children around the world.
Sam reads the book and I love the way she reads. The illustrations were awesome.
Santa’s Stuck by Rhonda Gowler Green is such a beautiful feel good book.
The book explains how Santa was a chimney cleaner, a postman, a chef, an helper at the zoo and a performer at the circus and how all his previous experiences helped him in his job as Santa.
I would recommend this book to all the children around the world.
December 17, 2024
I really love this story. I always tell students that some of the books I like the most are books in which I see a bit of myself in the main character.
I like to share this with students each year and talk about how different jobs along the way helped me become the teacher that I am, just as Santa's earlier jobs may not have been a perfect fit for him but that they all led to the exact career he was always meant to have.
I like to share this with students each year and talk about how different jobs along the way helped me become the teacher that I am, just as Santa's earlier jobs may not have been a perfect fit for him but that they all led to the exact career he was always meant to have.
December 3, 2018
All our holidays and special occasions are marked with books for the Grands. I've been reading Christmas books to find the perfect ones for our Grands this Christmas.
How Santa Got His Job is actually kind of cute, albeit far different than the usual folk tales of his beginning. The illustrations are great and I LOVE those poor polar bears.
How Santa Got His Job is actually kind of cute, albeit far different than the usual folk tales of his beginning. The illustrations are great and I LOVE those poor polar bears.
December 12, 2018
A solid holiday read aloud about how Santa got his job. He tried a bunch of other jobs first that all had elements of “Santa”—cleaning chimneys, delivering packages, working at a zoo—until he meets some elves. I like how the character ages throughout the book through the illustrations—he gets heavier, his beard grows, he turns gray....
December 17, 2020
There are hundreds of stories on how Santa got his job. This is by far the most unique. We follow Santa from a young man starting with his first job through all the jobs he wasn’t so good at until he became the person he is known as today. This was a lot of fun. I might have to add it to my permanent collection
#Wintergames #teamreadnosereindeer +26
#Wintergames #teamreadnosereindeer +26
December 20, 2021
Everyone knows that Santa's landed his dream job, but what was it like for him before that? Turns out, people didn't appreciate his unique talents with chimneys, deliveries, animals and more... until he met some elves with problems of their own... a fun exploration that leaves readers thinking about how their "failures" now might lead them to their destiny in the future.
December 11, 2023
Krensky shows readers how Santa prepared to become Santa. He takes readers through the series of jobs, Santa tried before connecting with the reindeer at the zoo and the elves when they saw him at the circus. Great story to teach about preparations and steps in a process. And, a fun holiday read for families.
April 5, 2018
I love this one! Such a great way to explain each part of what Santa's job entails and why he wasn't so great a some jobs but how that led to him being a great fit for his roll as the Santa we know and love.
January 21, 2025
This is a cute book for kids. It teaches how job-hunting works. It also emphasizes the idea of choosing a job (or life interests) based on your skills and interests. Good for all kids & teens to read!
December 9, 2017
Krensky did a really nice job explaining how all of Santa's previous work experiences helped prepare him for his current occupation. My students enjoyed discussing the story.
January 26, 2018
Young Santa takes various jobs but gets let go each time. But each job teaches him something about his ultimate job, being Santa Claus.
December 23, 2019
Had no idea how Santa ended up in the Christmas gift business but this book details his career projection and what led him to his world-renowned position as the ultimate giver of gifts
January 12, 2020
Q Zaza
October 5, 2020
A picture book that imagines how Santa got his job. It's pretty cute and kids will get a kick out of it. Maybe a bit long for younger kids, but older kids will enjoy.
January 15, 2021
Cute. The kids enjoyed it.
February 1, 2021
Jan 2021
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews