Julie Lane (–1989)

Quite simply the sweetest and most beautifully illustrated Christmas book of all time (yes, Mr. Dickens: your "Christmas Carol", illustrated by Arthur Rackham is number two. I'm sorry, but that's how it is.)

Julie Lane's version of the Santa Claus story takes young Nicholas from a family tragedy at age 5 thru a poignant childhood and youth to a rich old age. Each chapter is a separate, beautifully managed short story that points to a different aspect of the Santa Claus story: his use of the chimney, his acquisition of reindeer, his habit of stuffing stockings, all become quite sensible and charming in Lane's hands. The woodcut illustrations are part of the whole experience, and I do mean experience: I used to read this book to my children, a chapter a night, in the weeks before Christmas. My kids are grown, but when I see this book at Christmas I still kind of wish I had a grownup to read it to me. Do yourself a favor and find a copy for yourself - well worth the trouble of searching the Internet.
(Note: I also have a copy of this book called "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus."… (meer)