Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town. Sheet Music

by J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie, Steven Kellogg (Illustrator)

Experience the magic of a Steven Kellogg Christmas! Santa has never come to town with such pizzazz -- and with "elephants, boats, and kiddie cars, too!" Here is artwork so completely festive and comically inventive, you'll feel the inspired genius of Steven Kellogg singing through the pages. His bountiful vision of one of the all-time favorite Christmas songs celebrates the season with a merry jubilee!

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1934

About the author

John Frederick Coots, better known as J. Fred Coots (May 2, 1897 – April 8, 1985) was an American songwriter who composed more than 700 popular songs and more than a dozen Broadway shows.

In 1934, Coots wrote the melody for 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town' with his then chief collaborator, lyricist Haven Gillespie. The song became one of the biggest sellers in American history.

Reviews

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An illustrated version of the song, this is a book you won't want to read if you don't want the song stuck in your head all day! Overall, it's a cute book, but I was disappointed with quite how overwhelmingly white it is, especially considering the number of ensemble illustrations.

[Denise みか Hutchins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Steven Kellogg! Using a well-known Christmas song as a base, he did a wonderful job creating a fun Christmas story that can be read and reread every holiday season. The illustrations were just as a fan of Kellogg would expect: happy, whimsical, full of color and detail, but still with a touch of otherworldly creepiness. I think I saw a reference to Pinkerton at the end!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun illustrations!!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeously illustrated version of the beloved song!

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a book you can sing. We had a lot of fun singing it together and the illustrations are great.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awe Christmas 🎅 The illustrations make this an absolute delight!!! Steven Kellogg did an incredible job.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steven Kellogg does a wonderful illustration of the J. Fred Coots Christmas song.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title states, this book is basically just the song: Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, but with a little bit extra. By extra, I mean a super cute Teddy Bear narrating, a little more wording and pictures that could only be the work of Steven Kellogg.

Kellogg's style is so distinct, it's no wonder I was able to recognize it so fast! The pictures are colorful and Christmas-y.

This book was a very delightful read to get into the Christmas spirit. =)

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Steven Kellogg illustrations. You can't help but sing as it is the song "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" by J. Fred Coots & Haven Gillespie. Unfortunately, the song becomes interrupted by several confusing fold out pages towards the end of the song/story. Even so, we enjoyed singing it and looking at the pretty illustrations together.

For those familiar with the Accelerated Reader Program, this is a 2.6 level book.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book based on the song. It was fun to read with lots of detail to the pictures including the dreams of the children (the little girl wants a rocking unicorn--which Santa provides). We probably won't read it again though because there are just so many wonderful Christmas books with a bigger message.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a book that children will pore over to savor every tiny detail of the illustrations! I know because I found myself doing that very thing! The story is the lyrics to the familiar Christmas song and the brightly colored illustrations extend the story far beyond them! Love the Statue of Liberty snowman, the snippets of song titles in the boat scene, and just about everything about this book!

[K.D. Bissonette]

Any story about Santa Claus warms my heart!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some changes from the song but great pictures

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids love this one and want to sing/read it over and over.

[Kate McCartney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for any child that loves this song. The pictures are very cute. It was great for me who only know the chorus, because I was able to finally learn all the words.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally can't stand the pictures because they're too twee, but my two year old loved it. She liked the pictures and being sung to.

[Emo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are so fantastic in this book! I could look at if for a long time. If only I had a long time to sit and look at books :).

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's time for a music break. There are lots of "N's" in this book -- North Pole and Knows and "not"s and "naughty" and "nice". The moms in the crowd sing along with you.

[Alexandria K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love singing this song. It makes me wanting to be nice.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the illustrations. We like to sing it.

[Nancy Jo Lambert · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a beautifully illustrated and fun Christmas book! Reading this to my son was a great Christmas tradition that we will continue for years to come.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids love this book. We sing the song along with the book every night from Thanksgiving until Christmas.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get ready for Santa to come to your home on Christmas Eve.

[Karen Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful version with wonderful pictures by Steven Kellogg.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute book to get kids into the spirit of Christmas. I have liked this book.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is word for word of the song; but the picture book is full of brightly illustrations that go along with the song. Fun for little children to look through and dream about and point to etc.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the Illustrations are gorgeous with fun details. One of my 2-year old son's favorite books.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to play, and it is in a key that makes it easier for most people to sing at the piano during a Christmas gathering.

🎵 Recommended.
🟣

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steen Kellogg illustrations. Nuff said.