Letters to Santa Claus

This colorful, coffee-table book reproduces the original letters—with their faded ink, stained paper, childish handwriting, and whimsical drawings—so readers feel as if they are sifting through boxes of old correspondence. . .The collection of letters is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

~Bloom Magazine

...This lovely book will make even the man in red smile.

~Fort Wayne Magazine

This well-presented, historical collection—reflecting both the naughty and nice—will entertain and offer insights into the human condition. . . A heartwarming collection of original letters written to Santa and processed via the dedicated volunteer 'elves' of Santa Claus, Ind.

~Shelf Awareness

Some of the most poignant, hilarious and unusual letters from around the world. . .

~The Examiner

This sweet and nostalgic compilation of over 80 years of young believers' holiday wishes (many in adorable handwriting) puts a unique spotlight on events of the day.

~Parade Magazine

Poignant. . .The correspondents apologized for their poor handwriting and their recent misdeeds, and they offered to work alongside the elves. They also confided secrets: 'mama cries at night when she thinks we are asleep, because she has no money.' One prisoner in Indiana, hoping to be released in time for Christmas, asked Santa for a lawyer and an appeal bond.

~The New York Times

Spanning nine decades, from the 1930s through the 2010s, the letters provide a window into the ever-shifting economic and cultural landscape of modern America. They are alternately silly and somber, hilarious and heartfelt. . .Reading Letters to Santa Claus won't necessarily make you more optimistic about America's future, but it will give you a deeper perspective on America's past. It also will help everyone understand why the unique role of Santa Claus in the popular imagination is bound to endure.

~The Weekly Standard

A heartwarming and delightful collection, dating back to the 1930s. . .

~Huffington Post

The practice of writing to St. Nick tells a broader history of America itself. . .Notes sent to Santa are an unlikely lens through which to understand the past, offering a peek into the worries, desires and quirks of the times in which they were written.

~Smithsonian

Often hilarious, the letters to Santa Claus, Indiana, are a gift to all of us.

~Indianapolis Monthly

The town? Santa Claus. It's a place that sounds like some Christmas tale. But the town is real, with a history that is long, genuine and a bit peculiar. . .

~Will Higgins, USA Today / Indianapolis Star

The missives will inform readers about the times in which they were written and are often very affecting. The first one, for example, is from a nine-year-old girl in the 1930s asking for warm gloves, shoes, and underwear for her siblings. Listing them by name, she closes the missive 'and the rest are dead.' Other letters name dozens of toys to bring, plaintively ask for the writer's heart's desire ('the thing I want most is a dog. dog. dog.'), or even try bargaining ('I will trade you my sister when she comes from the stork for a elf'). . .A touching gift book that also offers an unusual window into American history.

~Library Journal

Yes, there is a Santa Claus!

~Mrs. Claus, The North Pole