Jolly Old Santa Claus

Illustrations are so incredible! Even though I was sent the wrong book format, I'm still happy with this purchase. Very good price, for a unforgetable book we had growing up!

What a wonderful story and beautiful illustrations! This has become THE defining start of the Christmas season at our house! The rich colors and nostalgic figures delight all ages and transport some of us back to Christmas' past. A bargain at any price! Thanks for the memories!!

Very sweet and timeless. A classic story of the wonder and magic that only Santa can inspire. It's been around for generations and will continue to be for generations to come. Read it with your little ones - it will become a wonderful holiday tradition!

I have both an original version of Jolly Old Santa Claus (copyright 1959), and a newer edition (1978). I bought a later edition for my nieces, and found the illustrations to be somewhat "fuzzier" and political-corrected. Yes, Santa no longer smokes a pipe, folks! All in all, all the editions are wonderful, the story changing a bit over the years, but it is for the pictures that one buys this book. I especially remember the pages of Mrs. Santa making cookies (just like the sugar cookies my mom and German grandmother made), the wonderful ornament room, with all the hand-blown and dipped glass balls, and the pillow fight between all the "brownies" after Santa has delivered all the toys and wraps up another Christmas! My 2 sisters and 3 brothers would eagerly sit next to my mom and help point out the story line...Grandpa Brownie falling, Jingles the chief brownie supervising, and Lady Whiskers the cat with her newborn kittens. This is a book from my childhood, and I hope to read it one day to my grandchildren. George Hinke's illustrations are colorful, detailed and full of imagination. A classic!

This book has been in my family for many years. As a kid I just loved looking at the great illistrations, there are so many fun detailed in the pictures to explore. The story is a simple and enjoyable story. But I must say it is the illistrations that I loved and still love the most. Now I am getting my own copy for my growing family to continue the tradition.

As a previous reader commented, the illustrations have been reduced to a smaller size which has all but ruined the book. Also I remember a final illustration in the original of the elves having a good old pillow fight at the end of the night. This illustration was completely eliminated from this new version. A sacrilidge has been committed!