Product Description

Art Atchinson Aimesworth -- inventor, crime fighter, and allaround whiz kid-journeys north with his sister, Esther, and his pal, Spaulding, by special invitation from Santa himself. But why did Santa call? Now available in a new hardcover edition, this truly Joyce-ian crusade features villains and swashbuckling adventure, concluding with a most spectacular and touching Christmas celebration.

A holiday extravaganza like no other, by the creator of Rolie Polie Olie, Snowie Rolie, Sleepy Time Olie, Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures wirh the Family Lazardo, and George Shrinks.

Notable Children's Books of 1994 (ALA)
Best Books of 1993 (SLJ)
1993 Golden Kite Award Honor Book for Illustration (SCBW)
1993 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal
100 Books for Reading and Sharing (NY Public Library)
1993 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #81264 in Books
• Published on: 1993-10-30
• Released on: 1993-09-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780060211332
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
Gather round for an Extraordinary Adventure, circa Christmas 1908, Abilene, Texas. The players are a boy named Art (devoted to "the making of inventions, the quest for adventure, and the fighting and smashing of crime"); his best friend, a Comanche boy named Spaulding; and Art's scorned little sister, Esther. One dusty December day, they find a huge wooden crate accompanied by a note that says, "Open the box. Assemble the contents. Come NORTH. Yours, S.C." The next thing you know, the intrepid trio sets off for the North Pole in the freshly assembled Yuletide Flyer, at Santa's cryptic request. Let the swashbuckling adventure begin! Santa's home is the glittering metropolis of Toyland, described as "the best of the old, the best of the new, and the best that is yet to be." But what's this? Dark Elves and their evil Queen? No one bargained for danger in the North Pole. After a dashing display of heroic and ingenious maneuvering, however, the three children are delivered back home in time for Christmas. But why did Santa call in the first place? He tells them, "Some secrets are best left unsolved." The real secret of this rollicking Christmas tale lies in two facsimile letters attached at the end of the book--Esther's touching note to Santa and his reply. Beloved illustrator William Joyce, creator of George Shrinks and Dinosaur Bob, has managed an unusual feat: an original Christmas story, breathtaking artwork, and adventure tale all rolled into one. (Ages 5 to 9)

From Kirkus Reviews
Joyce's version of a ride on the Polar Express is more style than substance. Just before Christmas, 1908, dashing boy-inventor Art Atchinson Ainsworth; his best friend, Comanche brave Spaulding Littlefeets; and his scorned little sister Esther receive an invitation (complete with futuristic flying machine) to visit Santa. Their visit is climaxed by Esther's dramatic rescue from the Dark Elves and their evil Queen. ``But why did you call for us?'' Art wants to know. Santa answers, ``Some secrets are best left unsolved.'' Art never finds out, but readers do, in two appended letters from Esther (``Dear Santa...what I really wish for is for my brother Art to be my friend'') and Santa (``I'm glad our little adventure did the trick''). Readers may be disappointed to find so unsurprising a gift in such glorious wrapping, but the huge illustrations, rendered with Joyce's usual cinematic, art-deco sensibility, burst with exuberant crowds and visual fanfares, melodramatic poses and clever jokes. Figures have the gloss and solidity of polished wooden models: Art looks like Will Rogers, and Santa like a benevolent tycoon, while the skies over Ozlike Toyland are filled with searchlights and fanciful balloons. Read quickly; linger over the art. (Picture book. 7+) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About the Author
William Joyce is the author and illustrator of many best-selling and award-winning picture books, including Rolie Polie Olie, Snowie Rolie, Dinosaur Bob, Santa Calls, and George Shrinks. He is also the creator of the Emmy Award-winning series Rolie Polie Olie on the Disney Channel. William Joyce lives in Shreveport, Louisiana, with his lovely wife, Elizabeth, and their children, Jack and Mary Katherine. They also have a dachshund named Rose.

Customer Reviews

Call on "Santa Calls!"
"Santa Calls" deserves to take a place among classic children's (age 2 - 104) Christmas books! I can't figure out the Kirkus review comment that this is somehow a take-off on "Polar Express" and "more style than substance."

"Santa Calls" offers MORE than pretty illustrations (they are more like, art-deco "way-cool.") And the story explores, among other things, sibling rivalry, the earnest hopes of children to be accepted fully into family life, the importance of sometimes keeping secrets, and the potential of redemption in misguided kids (Whew! Sounds like a good dose of substance to me!) Best of all, the Mrs. Santa is NOT the stereotypical "Jonathan Winters in drag" sort of depiction. She is classy and stylish (what a coat and hat!) and has a noticeable tinge of self-confidence. THIS is the "Mrs. Claus" that *I* want to believe in!

The end of the book consists of two letters -- one from the central girl character and another which is a response from the Big Guy himself. They appear to be the real things -- conveniently pasted into the back cover of the book! Nice way to get kids to appreciate the art of letter-writing at an early age. Do call on this book, you won't be disappointed.

A story for little sisters everywhere!
William Joyce's books topped the list of family favorites when my boys were smaller. Even as they have passed the "4-8 years" level suggested, this remains a seasonal favorite of my now 10 and 14 year olds. The story is utterly charming and quirky at once. Art and his friend Spaulding discover a mystery box in the back yard one day, which propels them on an adventure that grudgingly includes Art's little sister Esther.

Typical of Joyce's "Dali-esque" illustration, the North Pole takes on a surreal appearance, and the story takes a wild turn, with a neat little surprise in the epilogue. Joyce never fails to delight his readers with his wry view of life. This book is a wonderful foil for the more traditional holiday reads for kids, and one the grown ups can enjoy fully as well.

Santa helps out a little sister who is lonely
This was a book about a boy that was mean to his sister until a box from santa changes that. This book was about a sister who wanted her brother to be her friend . . . and a secret between Santa and her. I rate the book 9 because it was so good it even told you the letter that she got from Santa at the end of the book. You have to read it! Byron La Fleur (3rd grader)