The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus [Classic Tales Edition]

By: L. Frank Baum

Narrated by: B. J. Harrison

“In all this world, there is nothing so beautiful as a happy child.” (Santa Claus)

The architect of The Wizard of Oz delves into the mythological beginnings of the jolly old elf himself. Baum created a mythological world in which the magical forest of Burzee, created at the beginning of time, is the main source of all otherworldly magical power. Ak, the Master Woodsman ruled the forests; Kern, the Master Husbandman of the World, ruled the food crops; Bo, the Master Mariner of the World, ruled the seas. All other immortals are subject to these three. Baum also created Ryls as guardians of the flowers and Knooks as guardians of the animals of the world.

Baum first introduced Ryls and Knooks in his collection of short stories, American Fairy Tales. In The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, his mythology is more fleshed out, comprising a rich enchanted world, which also includes the more traditional nymphs, guardians of the trees and fairies, and guardians of humans. Later, when Baum’s creation of Oz became his main focus, he placed all of his fantastical realms around Oz, yet designated that the forest of Burzee was the source of the magic of Oz itself.

Public Domain (P)2018 B. J. Harrison

My favorite version of Santa Claus

loved it, I go to sleep while listening to the stories, but some days I enjoyed it so much I had to extend the time

By the author of Wizarrd of Oz; an enchanting tale

What a sweet surprise this audio book is! Frank Baum's genius shiners through this sweet 'origin story' of Santa Claus, filled with magical creatures. This will become a Christmas tradition. the Audio performance is stellar. And a bargain at 2.99!

The Best Santa Claus Story Ever

I loved everything about this recording! The story is brilliantly written with every word carefully chosen to flow and and paint a rich tapestry. I marveled at the perfect words he used and the depth of the characters.

The reader's voice is soothing like a cup of warm cocoa. With the slightest inflection, he makes each character unique. I can't wait to listen to more of his work.

Beloved Christmas Classic

I first learned of this story as a child from the Rankin/Bass Christmas special on TV. As, a matter of fact, I loved it even more than Rudolph. The story on this version is just a tad bit different but close enough that I can picture it in my head as the story goes along. Definitely worth watching if you can find it, but the story really shines here. What I really enjoyed about this book, is what happened after the mantle of immortality was bestowed on Claus. During his yearly rides he found that some newer houses did not have chimneys to go down and he did not have a way to deliver gifts to some children, so he then got some fairies as helpers (I guess modern day elves) and he also started supplying toy shops and deputizing parents to help with deliveries, which I thought was a wonderful addition to the book. It could be used to explain to some children why parents went out to get certain gifts if they found them in the house before Christmas. I don't know if kids today with smart phones and internet would buy it but back when I grew up it would have been a perfect answer. I was a kid who believed. Christmas was magical for me growing up and my dad was a living Santa. He worked for a toy distributor and was always giving toys away to anyone who stopped by my house any time of year, and he said that no matter how old you are you need toys for Christmas. It's a tradition that my family has kept up even since his passing. But this little known tale about Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum is just as if not more iconic to me the the Wizard of Oz. Definitely worth a listen or read.

Cute, Sweet, Innocent

We finally get some answers about Santa. I would recommend this book as a Christmas read aloud for a family with children.

BJ Harrison is a superb narrator! (not Librovox!)

Fantastic story full of magic, made even better by a superb performance from the narrator BJ Harrison's voice is full of whimsy and a clear enthusiasm for the story. This thankfully is not another Librovox recording, like many of the L. Frank Baum books, but is instead a professionally arranged performance. Don't overlook this one! Harrison is also the narrator for one of my favorite audiobooks of all time, Classic Christmas Tales, which features a wonderful reading of The Cricket on the Hearth among others. I enjoyed his rendition of Santa Claus thoroughly.

Just Fantastic

What a beautiful telling of Sana Claus. From beginning to end this is the sweetest story, and one I plan to share every Christmas.