Jolly Old Santa Claus

by Ideals, George Hinke

Based on a 1961 favorite, "Jolly Old Santa Claus" is now offered in a brand-new coloring book edition.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1961

Reviews

[Chrisanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was raised with a different version but this was gorgeous.

[Jackie Mulkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late Log - I read it every year!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year around Christmas, my parents and I read this, and it’s become such a special tradition. When my mom was younger, her and her dad (my grandpa) loved this book, which makes it even more special. I’ll never forget this memorable book!

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful Santa Claus book ever published. It must be. Published in 1961 by the Ideals company and featuring the paintings of George Hinke, this is one of those books that anyone from one to one hundred can become mesmerized by. Instant childhood. In fact, it's sort of legendary among baby boomers. And when it became scarce and the demand for its reissue grew some new publisher came out with a reprint and pissed everybody off. The paintings were altered, printed smaller, and things like Santa's pipe were airbrushed out for the sake of political correctness. Even the elves' pillow fight at the end was excised. Why? Who knows. Luckily we have a super rare 1961 hardcover original in excellent condition, with the inside paintings as vivid and colorful as ever. An original hardcover in this condition, or in any condition for that matter, is super rare and worth a small fortune. If we took it on the Antiques Roadshow they'd probably put us on the show. I'm thrilled we have this.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the illustrations here although based on the reviews from people who have seen the ORIGINAL book this doesn't do justice to the true artwork. Even so, these pages are so vibrant and full of delightful details--I love looking at each busy elf and seeing what he is doing, the facial expressions are great--and it's stuff I would have just been ga-ga over as a kid, such as elves making cookies, elves making Christmas ornaments, etc. Santa is indeed jolly and kindly and Hinke's representation is almost exactly how I imagine Santa (except I really don't like the cover art--he looks a bit stern and scary here and I have no idea why the publishers chose it as I wouldn't have bothered with the book if it hadn't come recommended by a friend). The "story" is just so-so for me--it's as if we are traveling along getting a bit of a narrated tour seeing all the things Santa and his elves are doing--it's not bad by any means, just nothing that glows for me the way the illustrations do. I can only imagine how marvelous Hinke's original edition must be.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books about Santa Claus ever produced. It is a reprint of a classic work about the jolly old gent that has been vastly improved by the inclusion of very high-quality oil paintings. The theme of the story is the preparations that Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves are making so that all goes well when it is time to deliver the goodies on Christmas Eve.
The book also includes elements of the “search for an item in the image” genre, which can be done given the exquisite detail of the images. The level of the prose is that of the latter years of middle school, so it can be read by children of that age and understood by those even younger. This is a superb book for a seasonal “read and show” event, where the passages are read, and the book turned so that the audience can see the images.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up thinking it was an illustrated version of the song "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" but it's completely different. This story is all about Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves with pages on the North Pole, letters from good/bad children, the toy shop, delivering presents, etc. This is perfect for reading aloud because the words say things like, "Do you see..." guiding children to search the many small details of the illustrations.

[Marion Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been a huge 'Santa' person - it was pretty clear to me that my parents had a big hand in my Christmases growing up, but that hasn't stopped me from ADORING this book ever since I was a child.

There's a simplicity to the text that pulls together the unbelievable paintings by Heinke.

Its magic still captures my heart, year after year.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've grown up reading this book . it's super cute and fun to read as a kid and to kids

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding illustrations. Delightful text. I've treasured this story since my childhood and enjoyed a reread.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better watch out and read this classic,🎅🤶

[Michele Hermansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood favorite I still love. The artwork you could stare at forever.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations accompany this interactive story.

[Anika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another recommendation for those trying to build their Christmas collection (Marilyn). I remember this book from my childhood and I LOVED the illustrations. I don't recall much about the story, just that I would spend 5 minutes per page studying each drawing. Every time I go through the book it takes me waaaay back and I hope to make it a part of my kid's Christmas memories. It is, of course, a Santa Claus book and not a Nativity Christmas story but I'm ok with some fun Santa stuff. You can make up your own mind about it. :)

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my most favorite Christmas book as a child. I would read it over and over. It brought the essence of Christmas to my mind, and I learned to love the season within its pages. The love I felt from this story has stayed with me through adulthood, and even now as I read and ponder the birth of the Savior I will sometimes have flashes of an image or expression from this book. A classic in my mind.

[Rich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this as a collector's edition because I love the story so much, but this edition, for me, just didn't hold the same joy as the one I grew up reading. Two reasons for this. The text was on the same page as the illustrations, which detracted from the beauty of the art and second, for a hardcover, "Collector's Edition" the paintings were actually SMALlER than the original soft cover that I had growing up.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love this Christmas Classic. I am writing this review in regards to the original Ideals hardcover version with the glorious unedited illustrations by George Hinke. It's the magnificent oil illustrations that brought the story to life. Love Santa and the Brownies (Elves).

We had a copy of the origingal when I was a kid.....I cherished that book and I wish I still had the original version.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible illustrations by the inimitable George Hinke. This hardcover reprint falls short of the one I read growing up (a '5-star' paperback copy identical to the original 1961 [1958?] edition). The illustrations in the new publication have been truncated, and at least one has been omitted. Despite these criticisms, the images in this book capture the magic of Santa Claus and the North Pole like few others I've seen.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The original story was in the Ideals magazine, 1961. My grandma had a book possibly that old, but has vanished. I bought this book back in 1996 when it was reissued. I tried to get my own young children interested, but it was never one of their favorites.
I loved the illustrations. The story (By Sparkle) is a little dated, but still charming.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year my mother read this to me--I insisted on it. As I grew older, I loved not only the story, but the beautifully rendered paintings. As I grew older, I began reading this on my own, no matter what the season of year. I know own several editions of this, but this is my favorite.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the whimsical illustrations depicting the elves and Santa Claus. A classic for all ages!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best Christmas book ever!!
And it is very interactive; it would be great for a shared reading!

[Jeff Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this every Christmas as a child. It is a great book.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

simple story but the art work is amazing. I love the old style santa stuff so this was a must have for me.

[Blythee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful. It was fun to search for the cat in the illustrated scenes.

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Great for children and grandparents too!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story of Santa, Mrs Claus and the Elves getting ready for Christmas and having the satisfaction of a job well done the day after.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the illustrations so much!