Dear Santa

by Samuel Johnson

If you could ask Santa for absolutely anything, what would you ask for? Samuel Johnson OAM, Australia's favourite skylarker, brother and determined cancer vanquisher, has asked his friends and supporters (who just happen to be some of Australia's best writers, comics, actors, artists, musicians and personalities) to share their letters to Santa.Some letters are naughty.Some letters are nice.Some echo a favourite childhood memory.Some beg forgiveness.Some are angry.Some just want something sweet.Some want to change their own world, others want to change the whole world.Contributors include Helen Garner, Adam Hills, Deborah Mailman, Rove McManus, Leigh Sales, Grant Denyer, John Williamson, Myf Warhurst, John Paul Young, Mia Freedman, Shaun Micallef, Missy Higgins, and many more.This little book of letters is wicked, witty and warm-hearted. It will make you laugh, think and feel and is the perfect Christmas gift for those who speak human. Illustrations by Shaun TanEvery copy sold will contribute to cancer research

Genres: Nonfiction, Christmas

145 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2018

Reviews

[Melissa (Mel’s Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could I NOT purchase Sam’s beautiful little book!? For those of you who don’t know Aussie icon and Order of Australia recipient Sam Johnson, he came to our attention back in the 90’s and 00’s on some STELLAR kids TV programs and soapies. However, it wasn’t until 2013 that he gained nationwide recognition and respect for unicycling 15,000 kilometers around Australia to raise money for cancer, inspired by his sister Connie who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The Love Your Sister movement was born! We then followed their story over the years, not only through the heartbreaking cancer news, but also shared in the overwhelming joy of the “Big Heart Project” where Australians donated over 2 million dollars worth of 5 cent coins, and put them into a giant love heart.

Australia fell in love with Connie, Sam and their sister Hilde and there was not a dry eye in the country when Connie passed away in 2017.

And the fight to cure cancer with Love Your Sister continues! Sam has brought together an amazing array of Australian talent for this awesome little fun (and at times naughty) book of celebrity letters to Santa.


You will laugh and at times cringe, as you read letters from such celebrities as Grant Denyer, Mia Freedman, Missy Higgins, Rove Macmanus and Adam Hillls, just to name a few.

The stories are short, the book is SUPER easy to read in one sitting, but I found it much more fun to read a story here and there. So I could savour it! It has some funny illustrations and was really darn enjoyable!

Plus, every sale contributes to cancer research, and has an extremely funny option to add some extra to cancer, or the xmas party! It also comes with a greatest hits issue of the little known, yet actually really funny and amazingly touching magazine, “The Stick”, which is also available to subscribe to on the website.

Even if you are not interested in the book, tis’ the season to donate!! I know Love Your Sister will be a charity I will never hesitate to give a little hard earned money to!

A stunning 5 stars from me!

(5 / 5)

I purchased Dear Santa at my own expense. Click HERE to purchase it too!!

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[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to love this -or even like this - but I just didn't. For all of their fame and fortune, many of the celebrities that contributed to this book are clearly miserable.
I really thought that these letter to Santa would be whimsical and nostalgic.
And a couple were. And a couple were funny.
But many were political, or fat shaming, or a bit offensive- particularly the ones that hinted that shopping centre Santas enabled pedophiles. As a Mum of kids who still love the magic of Christmas I found this particularly poor taste.
I'm sorry all the contributors are in such a bad place.
I received this as a gift - so I am glad that my cousin Jess' money went to such a worthy cause.

[Jodie- Readthewriteact · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book that has a wonderful take on Christmas for adults. It also has the added benefit that profits from each sale go towards cancer research.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this book is lovely. Well known Australians write Santa a letter requesting what it really is they would like for Christmas.

All proceeds go to Love your Sister Charity. So, everyone should donate or buy this book.

In reality, just read a few of the letters - it’s a bit repetitive.

[Rachael (shereadsshenoms) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laughed and cried reading this. Hope there are many more editions to come.

[Jade · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this December last year (2019) and gave it a 2.5/5 stars (hence an earlier 3 star rating), however, I linger on this sometimes and have since gave it a 2/5 star rating.

While I do appreciate the sentiment that my money has gone to cancer research (the only reason why I don’t regret buying this) and thought the pretense was absolutely adorable and inspiring (Aussie icons writing whimsical, nostalgic letters to Santa? Yes please!), I instead found that many of these contributors have SUCH a negative view towards Christmas and Santa himself.

Leaving aside the plainly problematic aspects of this novel (it’s fatphobic comments), many of these letters were so dreadfully negative towards Christmas and Santa that I just want to know,,, who hurt these people??

I do understand that some people don’t like Christmas, that’s fine and understandable and I can’t (and won’t) judge, but I was under the impression this novel would be whimsical and nostalgic and lovely. Instead, I was treated to letters critising Santa and the Christmas season with intense sarcasm and trying to be funny about it and wow I just did not relate. I can be a cynical person myself, but when Christmas is known to be a worldwide loved season, I find it terrible that this book was filled with so much negativity and then marketed as something that is inspiring and whimsical and nostalgic.

Two last things before I end this insanely long review: there are some letters that do deal with cancer survivors and dealing with other struggles (e.g. death of a family member and other forms of grief). Albeit sad, these were inspiring and moving. These are not the letters I am critising in particular. Lastly, there were good letters in this, optimistic and lovely ones. But they were far and few between.

[Jessica Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some letters I loved, some I disliked, some I found hilarious, and some were boring. But overall I am so happy to have read this book and to have supported a great cause. I think with the physical copies they should have left room for each reader to write their own letter to Santa. That would have been great. I recommend to anyone wanting to put their money somewhere worthwhile, and to anyone familiar with Australia in more than just a passing knowledge. Many issues brought up or mentioned are Aussie related (with our politicians or politics). This just proves you are never too old to believe in Sant

[Stef O'connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mainly bought the book because the money was going to such a good cause so should I have also expected an entertaining, funny, reminiscing read? I think so! My memories of my childhood Christmas are full of laughter, magic and family. My memories of my kids’ Christmas was recreating those memories for them. Some of the letters gave me this as well as a giggle but so many of them carried on about fat Santa, Santa being creepy like a paedophile, Santa being a stalker........sheesh! What about just remembering the excitement Christmas brought as a child?

[Bree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nowhere near as good as I was expecting. The proceeds from the sale of this book go towards cancer research, so that's great and still a good reason to buy the book. Some of the Santa letters are interesting, funny, engaging. But too many of them are boring, self serving or a platform for the writer's own agenda. Half of the contributors I don't even know who they are, so they weren't as interesting as the contributions from those I do know who they are.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've got a secret.

Actually it's not even a secret, anyone who has come into brief contact with me during the month of December knows that I am not a Christmas person. I am the opposite of a Christmas person. I am. The Grinch.

Why did I buy this book then? Well... a book whose profits go to cancer research? Suck me in. I get to support cancer research AND get a book! Ugh. Of course I'm going to read it. I'm not going to let it sit on my shelf forever. And I guess I might as well read it now, tis the season and everything, even though I loathe the season.

It's vaguely well known Australian's writing a letter to Santa. They're adults. It'll be cool. And it was. There was a lot of poking at politics, both our own and overseas. Quite a handful of wishes to have refugees removed from Nauru. World peace. Environmental care. And then there was the "honestly, as an adult I find you and your mythology rather creepy" ones, which, good point, and true. And then there was the letters that made me cry. So apparently I'm not entirely a Grinch. Just mostly one.

[Julie Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting collection of letters to Santa, Samuel Johnson has gathered.
Briefly, adults have been requested to write a letter to Santa. That's it! Their interpretation of this missive has been collected into this little gem for us all to read and enjoy (with the side benefit of knowing we helped Johnson's charity this Christmas). There are Australians from all walks of life with serious letters, funny letters and just downright crazy letters.
This will be a great gift for anyone over the age of 15. Although the YA market probably won't appreciate it's beauty as much as the grown ups do.

[Claire]

I didn't enjoy the letters so I just looked at the art by Shaun Tan.

[June Thorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon

[Helene Wood · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to love this as much as I love Samuel Johnson but it wasn't to be
I was really disappointed and that made me sad
I found myself flicking through as I bought it to read about the people that I knew and mostly I had no idea who they were. Unless, as 53 year old I have been living under a rock

Never fear though I purchased his next one " Dear Dad " but as I lost my Dad only a few years ago I know that until I can look at the cover and not cry I don't think I am ready for it yet...but I will be one day and its waiting for me for when that time comes

[Julie Chettle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some sad, some funny, some boring. I laughed and cried but I was glad to receive this book as a gift. Cancer has taken far too members of my family. A lovely little book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this collection of letters by famous Australians to Santa Claus. Some were funny, some were sad, some were poetic and some were angry. As I went through them I made a note of my favourite ones, which included the letters from Mary Anne Butler, Julie Koh and Tim Rogers. Many of the sentiments contained in this book resonated with me, especially musings regarding family, friends and the need for people to connect, especially during the festive season. Ultimately I was left wondering what my letter to Santa would be like.

So here goes:

Dear Santa,
This has been a tough year for me and my loved ones: so much loss and grief. But it has been during this Christmas period that I have regained something I thought I had lost… hope. Hope for a brighter future and hope for healing. I can only imagine that it has been through your handiwork (and maybe a touch of magic!) that this came about so I want to thank you. I don’t need anything else. I just want to hold onto that elusive ‘hope’ throughout the year and maybe share it with some other people I know are in need of it. Until next year… xx

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book so much. I got so excited by the concept, even more so for the charitable donation, but to be honest, the book was nothing short of disappointing. I guess I believe in the magic of Christmas and there was so much Santa shaming as times - who really likens Santa to Satan and pedophilia? Apparently many “celebrities”. That’s a shame. Maybe they need to feel a touch of the true magic of Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, some letters were great, but others were so poorly written and totally missed the mark. Would I buy it again should it come around a second time? Of course! It’s for a very worthy cause. Would I read it again? No. Sorry.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear Santa

Thanks for giving some of the proceeds from the sale of this book to charity. I love reading and wonder why I read some of the letters inside. Surely not all of those celebrities could be as self-absorbed and pessimistic as they seemed to be? And please send some jokes and humour to those who claim to be comedians.
By the way, I don’t think you’re fat or creepy. I think your generosity can be a wonderful message about gratitude.
Thanks always for the job you do each year. I hope you enjoyed the milk and Jatz my daughter wanted to leave out for you this year. Did the reindeer enjoy the carrot and sparkly food on the lawn?

[Leah Toohey · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If you could ask Santa for absolutely anything, what would it be?" Samuel Johnson asked some Australian notables this question, and the result is complied into a quirky little book of letters from adults to Santa. Often fun and light, some letters are witty and charming, some are eyebrow raising and some promoted involuntary eye rolls, some hilarious and a few try to be, some are lighthearted and some are real, candid and thought provoking. Unfortunately there were a very small number of letters that sadly missed the whole spirit of Santa, where the writer portrayed their lack of childlike fun, wonder and imagination in it's purest and innocent form. I especially loved Missy Higgins' beautifully witty letter in keeping with her songwriting gift of gorgeously putting words together, while Louise Munnoch's letter kept it heartbreaking real. Some letters you may relate to, others not so much. In all a mostly fun and heart-warming read with every sale of the book contributing to Cancer Research.
So what would I ask from Santa? To eradicate the scourge that is Cancer (of course) and a Border Collie puppy!

[Sam Schroder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing you need to understand is that I buy everything that Love Your Sister makes and sells. I fell in love with Sam in The Secret Life of Us and then I read Love Your Sister back in Oct 2015. Since then, I’ve been a serial post lover and double tapper and a consistent contributor to whatever fundy Sam was promoting. I’m a subscriber to The Stick, I bought about a mile of five cent pieces and I’m a proud rainbow sock wearer. All of that aside, I always would have bought this book because I’m also a Christmas lover from a long line of Christmas lovers and the premise of this book had me captivated. A whole stack of good people, some of whom you will recognise, wrote letters to Santa to put in this book. None of them were paid and all of them did it to help raise money for research into vanquishing cancer. Sam does a lot of good things in the name of cancer vanquishment and all in loving memory of his sister, Connie. You should definitely buy this book.

[Jill Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it - the concept of a fund raising book for cancer research gives it extra points. Adults writing to Santa, and these are mostly high profile Australians so that’s great too.

What I didn’t like - was the few who made it a platform for political bashing, or simply saying Santa is an anagram for Satan and couldn’t be believed.

What I loved - was those who wrote their letters with humour and the good will that Christmas should bring to us all. My particular favourites were written by Peter FitzSimons - being proud of his mother. Missy Higgins for asking for ‘sleep’. ‘Molly’ Meldrum for asking for a St Kilda Grand Final win. (This was a fun filled and excellent letter) The stand out for me in this quirky collection was written by Rob Carlton - his letter was touching, heartfelt, and very much a concept we all need ‘IMAGINATION’.

Thanks to my younger sister for giving me this book for Christmas. I’ll always be a believer in Santa Claus!

[Anita Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s taken a little while to drag myself the whole way through this book. At some point it must have seemed like a good idea for a fundraiser, get a whole lot of moderately famous Australians to write letters to Santa from their adult perspective. But then it shouldn’t have taken much more thought to realize that there is not a lot anyone can say that will make for good reading. The contributors struggle gamely with the challenge but ultimately deliver an unpalatable mix of sentimentalism, sarcasm and sour grapes. It’s not their fault, what should any sane adult say to a culturally stunted imaginary figure who champions consumerism and greed?

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read but some of the contributors tried to be a bit too clever. Many are political in a general way but that’s not a bad thing. A good idea for a book and I wanted to like it more than I did as well. Still worth reading.

I enjoyed the simple ones. I particularly liked contributions by John Williamson, Leigh Sales, Peter FitzSimons, Luke O’Shea, Grant Denyer and Helen Garner. They resonated with me.

Maybe my favourite was from Amy Hetherington who asked for the ‘useful gift’ of confidence and self-esteem for young people. That would be a really good gift for the world.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel Johnson asked a bunch of his Aussie friends and celebrities to write a letter to Santa and the result is this compilation of letters written by musicians, writers, actors etc.

The letters vary from short and sweet, funny and cheeky, sad and political, it's a good mix really.

With profits from each book sale going towards cancer research this is a great little book to have on the bookcase at home and bring out every year at Xmas time to read.

[Toni Umar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Samuel Johnson and the philosophy behind the book. Some of the letters are just lovely and very funny. But many were so cynical and critical of either Santa or other people. I wasn’t expecting to read synch negativity as I thought with the word ‘Santa’ in the title it would be much more
positive and happy. So a bit disappointing, but still a worthwhile read and will still read Sam and Hildes next book.

[Alicia Gibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The letters were a mixed bag. The best were beautiful, heartfelt, clever, witty, poignant and inspirational. Rob Carlton’s message about creating space for imagination has particularly stuck with me.

The worst were clumsy, awkward and unpleasant. I definitely could have lived without the multiple instances of fat shaming and the assertion that Santa provides a “haven for paedophiles everywhere”.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters written by some of Australia's 'best-loved' adults to Santa. Some naughty letters, some nice ones, some funny ones, some tear-jerker ones, some too-long ones, and some, um... boring ones. However, with the proceeds of each and every sale contributing to cancer research, it's a keeper. I loved the addition of Shaun Tan's quirky illustrations too.

[Tc · Rating 3 out of 5]

An on the whole enjoyable read of letters by a variety of people. Some were crude, rude and unnecessary, but some were nostalgic, thoughtful and well written. But it did make me question if people viewed Santa as a God; I also realised I have never instilled a tradition of my kids writing a letter to the north pole 😪 I loved the Shaun Tan illustrations, quirky as always.

[Robyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping for a book that gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside, instead it left me sad and feeling sorry for all that dislike santa and Christmas so much. I could only read a couple of letters at a time as they were so depressing. I would have rathered donate straight to the charity and left the book on the shelf.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the letters are truly beautiful and bring tears to the eyes, but others are meh at best.
It was for cancer research, so I definitely don’t regret buying it, but it wasn’t quite as magical as it could have been or as I was hoping it would be. Q