Children - Fiction & Literature

Santa Calls

Name: Santa Calls
Author: William Joyce
ISBN: 9780060211332

by William Joyce

Write a review

Overview

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.

Art Aimesworth receives a mysterious summons from Santa Claus and he shares a Christmas adventure with his sister that brings them closer together.

Synopsis

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.

Children's Literature

Exciting new outing to the North Pole in which Esther is kidnapped by the Dark Queen and is rescued by her brother Art Atchinson Aimesworth. Why did Santa call this inventor, crime fighter and all-around whiz kid? The final answers to this fantastic adventure are not revealed until the very end of the book in two attached letters. Imaginative and unusual illustrations from Joyce match his fantastic adventure story. Golden Kite Award winner, American Library Association Notable Book for Children, and Parent's Choice Award.

About the Author, William Joyce

William Joyce lives in Shreveport, Louisiana, with his lovely wife, Elizabeth, and their children, Mary Katherine and Jack. They also have a dachshund named Rose and something else named Rex. Mr. Joyce has produced two animated television shows based on his books: Rolie Polie Olie and George Shrinks. He also produced and designed the animated feature film Robots. Every once in a while he does a cover for The New Yorker. His alarmingly optimistic picture books include Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo, Santa Calls, The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs, and Bently & Egg.He is currently futzing around on several books and stories that embrace the alleged healing power of heroically scaled silliness.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

The exciting outing to the North Pole, in which Esther is kidnapped by the Dark Queen and is rescued by her brother Art Atchinson Aimesworth, has been translated into a board book, but it just doesn't work. The complex multi-layered story cannot be conveyed in this shortened form. It is really a different story, and not nearly as enjoyable. The illustrations, which on larger pages work so well, feel cramped and busy in this smaller format. The original version is a delight and should be the book of choice. 1998 (orig.

Ilene Cooper

Joyce turns his considerable talents to Christmas, and the results are particularly merry. The story begins in Abilene, Texas, where Art Atchinson Aimesworth lives with his aunt and uncle, who run a Wild West show. Art has a weakness for sweets and is often mean to his sister, Esther. One day, a mysterious box appears from Santa Claus. Inside is a flying machine and the message, "Come North." So Art, his best friend, Spaulding Littlefeets, and Esther head to the icy unknown. Along the way, their eyes delight in the sights of Toyland, and they must fight off the Queen of the Dark and her nasty, candy-craving elves, who have only one word in their language: "gimmee." When the Queen steals Esther, it is Art, realizing what his sister means to him, who rescues her. Even as the drama ends, no reason for their being summoned north is given. In answer to Art's queries, Santa will only say, "Some mysteries are best left unsolved." But although it remains unsolved for Art, readers get their answer in the form of two letters--one from Esther asking Santa to make her brother her friend; the other, Santa's postvisit reply, "Such a rare and wonderful request could not be refused. I'm glad our little adventure did the trick." The whole book has a 1930s feel, from the stylized art to the very nature of the adventure, with its overtones of Saturday movie serials. Artistically, Joyce is at his most extravagant here, and although the colors seem to lack the intensity one craves in an escapade of this magnitude, the spreads are filled with every wondrous thing--lights, toys, candy, action. In picture books with art as delicious as this, the story often suffers. Not true here. This tale is robust, with twists and turns, and when readers find the letters at the end (cleverly, Joyce provides foldout letters for kids to open), they will find a measure of the Christmas spirit as well.