How Santa Got His Job

By Stephen Krensky

Book Overview

If you think Santa Claus came into the world sporting a red suit and a white beard, think again. Santa wasn't always the jolly, overweight, gift-giving fellow that we now know and love. He tried his hand at all sorts of different jobs, including postal worker, zookeeper, circus performer, and even chimney sweep, but each of these presented a problem that got in his way. It wasn't until he was lucky enough to meet a friendly bunch of elves that Santa found his true calling...and the job of his dreams. Stephen Krensky's understated text and S. D. Schindler's charming illustrations come together to create an imaginative and funny tale that proves even the best of us have to try, try again.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689806973
• ISBN13: 9780689806971
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.5" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

One of the cutest Christmas books in years

As an avid fan of Christmas stories, I found this book at a bookstore last year and was so delighted by it that it followed me home. Stephen Krensky comes up with the perfect resume for Santa, which explains how he is able to do so many amazing things. Climbing chimneys is no problem for a former Chimney sweep and delivering packages is simple for a former Postal worker. The book goes on to explain why those previous jobs did not work out for Santa. He gained too much weight as a cook and was too friendly to the reindeer as a zookeeper. After meeting the elves, who are toy makers, Santa is immediately hired to deliver their toys. The story even goes on to explain why Santa uses reindeer instead of polar bears. It is a wonderfully silly story for the whole family.

swell Santa story

Before Santa Claus became, well, Santa Claus, he was a young man trying to find rewarding and satisfying work. Who knew? He tried jobs such as zookeeper (where he learned to love reindeer), postal worker (where he decided to deliver packages at night, to save time!), and chimney sweep (where he never got dirty, prompting suspicion that he wasn't doing his work). This book takes NOTHING away from the traditional Santa Claus stories... it merely fills in the details about what Santa did as a young man, before becoming the rotund, jolly, white-bearded Christmas giftbringer that we love so much.The illustrations are humorous and playful; the text is easy to understand. My son is almost 3 years old, and he loves this book! I think _How Santa Got His Job_ is the perfect compliment to Clement Moore's _The Night Before Christmas_-- read it to your child, and see for yourself. It's a treat.ken32-----

A precious book

I am an educator that focuses on developing career education and awareness opportunities for many schools in my area. One school used this book as a writing prompt for grades 1 thru 6. Students all wrote essays about how they thoought Santa got his job and entered them in a contest. The event was even covered by our local newspaper. A great learning project for the kids.

A funny Christmas story with a lesson on perseverance

I am a librarian and my teachers are in love with this book! A fun read-aloud for children who already know that Santa isn't real.

Wonderful slant on the how and why of Santa's job!

The story will enchant kids and adults alike. When I first read the book, I wanted a copy for myself...and I am an adult with no children. Santa tries many jobs that prepare him for his ultimate job of delivering gifts to kids. From cleaning chimneys and delivering mail to working at the zoo, Santa uses all his skills and knowlege ...and realizes that no job is easy!