Letters to Santa Claus by The Elves of Santa Claus Land in southern Indiana is the most beautiful book I’ve seen in a long time. The cover features Santa Claus’ arm and hand retrieving a letter from a mailbox. The letters (including any pictures sent with the letters) are gorgeously reproduced on Christmas colored pages. The back cover features a red velvet sack filled will letters on their way to Santa Claus and quotes from five of the letters.
The beauty of this coffee table book would be reason enough to purchase it. But the content is even better. The letters are arranged consecutively from the 30s through contemporary times. Reading the letters takes one on a journey both back to childhood and through time. It is fun seeing how children’s concerns have changed over time. The children ask Santa interesting questions such as where he sleeps. A recent one asked Santa if he knew about global warming . They also give him advice. One young lady suggested that he watch the movie, The Santa Clause, thirty times so he won’t make the same mistakes that Santa made. The most touching aspects, though, are how much children have remained the same. They all love Santa and have so much hope.
Pat Koch and Emily Weisner Thompson aided the elves in compiling and producing this collection. They added interesting content in the foreword and afterward. IU Press received funding to help with the publication of this book so it is only $20.00. Elf Emily Weisner Thompson will be at Bookmamas, 9 Johnson Avenue, to sign books on Saturday, November 28 from 11-3.
Anyone who wants to spend a bit of time back in that magical world of knowing Santa was real and would come, needs this book.
