The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (Illustrated Edition)

By the author of the Wizard of Oz, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is a 1902 children's book, illustrated by Mary Cowles Clark. As a baby, Claus is found in the Forest of Burzee by Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World and adopted by the Wood Nymph, Necile. The book is a unique Santa Claus tale, since it begins with him as a baby and follows him through adulthood.

As an adult, Claus settles in the Laughing Valley where he begins carving toys. Seeing that most children are good, Claus borrows two deer and begins delivering tows to the children. He guides them by reins, thereby inventing "reindeer."

Claus discovers that he can deliver the toys faster if he slides down chimneys and puts them under Christmas trees or in stockings hung by the chimney. Before long, Santa Claus gets help from faires, elves, and even parents and toy-making companies to get enough toys for all the children in the world.

This edition of the book contains all of the 161 original illustrations, rejuvenated.