
This enchanting classic by L. Frank Baum, the author of "The Wizard of Oz," unveils the fantastical origin story of Santa Claus. Found as a baby in the magical Forest of Burzee, he is raised by a wood nymph and befriended by various immortals like ryls, knooks, and pixies. As he grows, he witnesses human suffering and dedicates his life to bringing joy to children by creating the very first toys. The narrative follows his journey, including a battle against mischievous awgwas who try to thwart his gift-giving, and culminates in his being granted immortality. It's a rich, imaginative tale that explains many beloved Christmas traditions, perfect for families who cherish the magic of the season.
From the book:Have you heard of the great Forest of Burzee? Nurse used to sing of it when I was a child. She sang of the big tree-trunks, standing close together, with their roots intertwining below the earth and their branches intertwining above it; of their rough coating of bark and queer, gnarled limbs; of the bushy foliage that roofed the entire forest, save where the sunbeams found a path through which to touch the ground in little spots and to cast weird and curious shadows over the mosses, the lichens and the drifts of dried leaves.