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.
Book 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)
Card catalog description
Art Aimesworth receives a mysterious summons from Santa Claus and he shares a Christmas adventure with his sister that brings them closer together.
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.
Santa Calls ANNOTATION
Art Aimesworth receives a mysterious summons from Santa Claus and he shares a Christmas adventure with his sister that brings them closer together.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Join Art Atchinson Aimesworth, his kid sister Esther and their best pal Spaulding as they travel to the North Pole to see The Big Guy in Red himself! When a mysterious package is revealed to be a flying machine sent to take them to Santa Claus, who (but Art) would ask why! Soon the kids are up, up, and away to the North Pole. With the help of Ali Aku, the captain of the Santarian Guard, and a few well-stuffed bags of licorice, they battle the Dark Queen and her army of Dark Elves in order to reach Toyland, home of Santa and Mrs. Claus, for the most swashbuckling Christmas adventure ever!This Golden Kite Award-winning picture-book, has been simplified for toddler-appeal, and is now just the right size for any stocking.
Join Art Atchinson Aimesworth, his kid sister Esther and their best pal Spaulding as they travel to the North Pole to see The Big Guy in Red himself! When a mysterious package is revealed to be a flying machine sent to take them to Santa Claus, who (but Art) would ask why! Soon the kids are up, up, and away to the North Pole. With the help of Ali Aku, the captain of the Santarian Guard, and a few well-stuffed bags of licorice, they battle the Dark Queen and her army of Dark Elves in order to reach Toyland, home of Santa and Mrs. Claus, for the most swashbuckling Christmas adventure ever!This Golden Kite Award-winning picture-book, has been simplified for toddler-appeal, and is now just the right size for any stocking.
Author Biography:
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 thecreator 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.
FROM THE CRITICS
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.
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
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.
BookList - 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.
Art & Photography
Book Info
