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cunningba's review against another edition
3.0
For those not familiar with L. Frank Baum's Santa Claus, let's just say he has a different backstory than St. Nick living with elves at the North Pole that later generations have been raised on. Altogether, I think he is a pleasanter, less-commercial fellow; a little goody-two-shoes perhaps, but our fairy tale characters are not supposed to be nuanced.
In this short-story, the baddies try to kidnap Santa Claus to spoil Christmas for all the children. But, I don't suppose it's a spoiler to say that their plan fails. After all, Santa has friends.
In this short-story, the baddies try to kidnap Santa Claus to spoil Christmas for all the children. But, I don't suppose it's a spoiler to say that their plan fails. After all, Santa has friends.
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
Welcome to Day 22 of my 2021 25 Days of Short Stories Christmas Advent Calendar. Today’s story comes from our friends at The Gutenberg project and Youtube. That’s right Youtube!
Day 1: [b:The Art of Space Travel|30532462|The Art of Space Travel|Nina Allan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558040356l/30532462._SY75_.jpg|50826910] by Nina Allan
Day 2: [b:These Deathless Bones|35506557|These Deathless Bones|Cassandra Khaw|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498282454l/35506557._SY75_.jpg|56914935] by Cassandra Khaw
Day 3: [b:Swift, Brutal Retaliation|13169837|Swift, Brutal Retaliation|Meghan McCarron|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541922428l/13169837._SY75_.jpg|18349137] by Meghan McCarron> (Trigger warning: Emotional abuse of children and women)
Day 4: [b:Freeze Warning|18489609|Freeze Warning|Susan Krinard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379900239l/18489609._SX50_.jpg|26172761] by Susan Krinard
Day 5: [b:Daughter of Necessity|23301706|Daughter of Necessity|Marie Brennan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1412347876l/23301706._SX50_.jpg|42376194] by Marie Brennan
Day 6: [b:The Girl in the High Tower|23257790|The Girl in the High Tower|Gennifer Albin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1411351413l/23257790._SX50_.jpg|42798995] by Genniger Albin
Day 7: [b:Come See the Living Dryad|37856081|Come See the Living Dryad|Theodora Goss|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558645604l/37856081._SY75_.jpg|55361917] by Theadora Goss
Day 8: [b:Black Friday|40230189|Black Friday|Alexander C. Irvine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532796086l/40230189._SY75_.jpg|62484577] by Alex Irvine
Day 9 [b:Up From Hell|31310480|Up From Hell|David Drake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1470076505l/31310480._SX50_.jpg|51982538] by David Drake
Day 10: [b:The Tallest Doll in New York City|23491933|The Tallest Doll in New York City|Maria Dahvana Headley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1415008589l/23491933._SX50_.jpg|40157621] by Maria Dahvana Headley
Day 11: [b:The Caretakers|28116629|The Caretakers|David Nickle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1449497292l/28116629._SX50_.jpg|48126352] by David Nickle
Day 12: [b:Your Orisons May Be Recorded|28820958|Your Orisons May Be Recorded|Laurie Penny|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1454333665l/28820958._SX50_.jpg|49038759] by Laurie Penny
Day 13: [b:Of Roses and Kings|53663516|Of Roses and Kings|Melissa Marr|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1590849056l/53663516._SY75_.jpg|81129060] by Melissa Marr
Day 14: [b:A Christmas Bun for Ulysses|56424594|A Christmas Bun for Ulysses (Moose Springs, Alaska #2.5)|Sarah Morgenthaler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609014790l/56424594._SX50_.jpg|87983073] by Sarah Morgenthaler**
Day 15: [b:Making My Entrance Again With My Usual Flair|10397968|Making My Entrance Again With My Usual Flair|Ken Scholes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328313233l/10397968._SX50_.jpg|15301868] by Ken Scholes
Day 16: [b:The Library of Lost Things|37856189|The Library of Lost Things|Matthew Bright|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539552978l/37856189._SY75_.jpg|57561471] by Matthew Bright
Day 17: [b:Ambiguity Machines: An Examination|25451087|Ambiguity Machines An Examination|Vandana Singh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430328427l/25451087._SX50_.jpg|45215894] by Vandana Singh
Day 18: [b:Drona’s Death|18515182|Drona’s Death|Max Gladstone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379443130l/18515182._SX50_.jpg|26211449] by Max Gladstone
Day 19: [b:Black Leg|58510324|Black Leg|Glen Hirshberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1625678082l/58510324._SY75_.jpg|91558831] by Glen Hirshberg
Day 20: [b:The Effect of Centrifugal Forces|17370706|The Effect of Centrifugal Forces|Maureen F. McHugh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1360723175l/17370706._SY75_.jpg|24156397]by Maureen F. McHugh
Day 21: [b:Grave by the Handpost|16435603|Grave by the Handpost|Thomas Hardy|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|22623281] by Thomas Hardy
Day 22: A Kidnapped Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
If you are unfamiliar with Project Gutenberg, consider checking out their website here. L. Frank Baum, who is best known for his series of Oz books, also wrote this glorious short story. When Santa is kidnapped by the daemons of Selfishness, Envy, Hatred, Malice, and Repentance, it might just take a miracle and a little fairy magic to save Christmas.
This story reminded me so much of the speech by the Ghost of Christmas Present in [b:A Christmas Carol|5326|A Christmas Carol|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1406512317l/5326._SY75_.jpg|3097440], when he pulls back his robes and shows Scrooge Ignorance and Want. The feeling was the same, although Mr. Baum was discussing other sentiments of Christmas.
This is an excellent story for children. There is some comedy and a little tame scares in it, but would make a wonderful addition to a child’s Christmas library.
A Kidnapped Santa Claus by l. Frank Baum can be read for free here and listened to for free here.
Day 1: [b:The Art of Space Travel|30532462|The Art of Space Travel|Nina Allan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558040356l/30532462._SY75_.jpg|50826910] by Nina Allan
Day 2: [b:These Deathless Bones|35506557|These Deathless Bones|Cassandra Khaw|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498282454l/35506557._SY75_.jpg|56914935] by Cassandra Khaw
Day 3: [b:Swift, Brutal Retaliation|13169837|Swift, Brutal Retaliation|Meghan McCarron|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541922428l/13169837._SY75_.jpg|18349137] by Meghan McCarron> (Trigger warning: Emotional abuse of children and women)
Day 4: [b:Freeze Warning|18489609|Freeze Warning|Susan Krinard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379900239l/18489609._SX50_.jpg|26172761] by Susan Krinard
Day 5: [b:Daughter of Necessity|23301706|Daughter of Necessity|Marie Brennan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1412347876l/23301706._SX50_.jpg|42376194] by Marie Brennan
Day 6: [b:The Girl in the High Tower|23257790|The Girl in the High Tower|Gennifer Albin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1411351413l/23257790._SX50_.jpg|42798995] by Genniger Albin
Day 7: [b:Come See the Living Dryad|37856081|Come See the Living Dryad|Theodora Goss|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558645604l/37856081._SY75_.jpg|55361917] by Theadora Goss
Day 8: [b:Black Friday|40230189|Black Friday|Alexander C. Irvine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532796086l/40230189._SY75_.jpg|62484577] by Alex Irvine
Day 9 [b:Up From Hell|31310480|Up From Hell|David Drake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1470076505l/31310480._SX50_.jpg|51982538] by David Drake
Day 10: [b:The Tallest Doll in New York City|23491933|The Tallest Doll in New York City|Maria Dahvana Headley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1415008589l/23491933._SX50_.jpg|40157621] by Maria Dahvana Headley
Day 11: [b:The Caretakers|28116629|The Caretakers|David Nickle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1449497292l/28116629._SX50_.jpg|48126352] by David Nickle
Day 12: [b:Your Orisons May Be Recorded|28820958|Your Orisons May Be Recorded|Laurie Penny|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1454333665l/28820958._SX50_.jpg|49038759] by Laurie Penny
Day 13: [b:Of Roses and Kings|53663516|Of Roses and Kings|Melissa Marr|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1590849056l/53663516._SY75_.jpg|81129060] by Melissa Marr
Day 14: [b:A Christmas Bun for Ulysses|56424594|A Christmas Bun for Ulysses (Moose Springs, Alaska #2.5)|Sarah Morgenthaler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609014790l/56424594._SX50_.jpg|87983073] by Sarah Morgenthaler**
Day 15: [b:Making My Entrance Again With My Usual Flair|10397968|Making My Entrance Again With My Usual Flair|Ken Scholes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328313233l/10397968._SX50_.jpg|15301868] by Ken Scholes
Day 16: [b:The Library of Lost Things|37856189|The Library of Lost Things|Matthew Bright|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539552978l/37856189._SY75_.jpg|57561471] by Matthew Bright
Day 17: [b:Ambiguity Machines: An Examination|25451087|Ambiguity Machines An Examination|Vandana Singh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430328427l/25451087._SX50_.jpg|45215894] by Vandana Singh
Day 18: [b:Drona’s Death|18515182|Drona’s Death|Max Gladstone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379443130l/18515182._SX50_.jpg|26211449] by Max Gladstone
Day 19: [b:Black Leg|58510324|Black Leg|Glen Hirshberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1625678082l/58510324._SY75_.jpg|91558831] by Glen Hirshberg
Day 20: [b:The Effect of Centrifugal Forces|17370706|The Effect of Centrifugal Forces|Maureen F. McHugh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1360723175l/17370706._SY75_.jpg|24156397]by Maureen F. McHugh
Day 21: [b:Grave by the Handpost|16435603|Grave by the Handpost|Thomas Hardy|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|22623281] by Thomas Hardy
Day 22: A Kidnapped Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
If you are unfamiliar with Project Gutenberg, consider checking out their website here. L. Frank Baum, who is best known for his series of Oz books, also wrote this glorious short story. When Santa is kidnapped by the daemons of Selfishness, Envy, Hatred, Malice, and Repentance, it might just take a miracle and a little fairy magic to save Christmas.
This story reminded me so much of the speech by the Ghost of Christmas Present in [b:A Christmas Carol|5326|A Christmas Carol|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1406512317l/5326._SY75_.jpg|3097440], when he pulls back his robes and shows Scrooge Ignorance and Want. The feeling was the same, although Mr. Baum was discussing other sentiments of Christmas.
This is an excellent story for children. There is some comedy and a little tame scares in it, but would make a wonderful addition to a child’s Christmas library.
A Kidnapped Santa Claus by l. Frank Baum can be read for free here and listened to for free here.
laura_devouring_books_crumpets's review against another edition
Quick read to fir some challenges... was too short to really have much of a say on it
vizirli's review against another edition
3.0
I will be adding "stuff and rubbish" to my daily vocabulary.
debyik's review against another edition
3.0
This old-fashioned story is super cute and most kids would enjoy it.
helpfulsnowman's review against another edition
3.0
Fun, and strongly prefer this to the suggested Little Match Girl.
Who the hell came up with that shit? Why are so many Christmas stories about a little girl dying in the streets, or a little boy buying shoes so his mom can die?
I'm going to write the ultimate Christmas story. Sack of puppies in the creek. A little boy is tasked with drowning them, and he names them after Santa's reindeer, and as they struggle while the sack sinks, the boy is encouraging them to go towards the light. "On Dasher, On Dancer!"
Waitaminute...I guess the whole day is sort of based around a guy who died a gruesome death. So not my cup of cocoa with a candy cane sticking out of it, but I suppose I can't argue people are deviating from the true meaning of Christmas...
Who the hell came up with that shit? Why are so many Christmas stories about a little girl dying in the streets, or a little boy buying shoes so his mom can die?
I'm going to write the ultimate Christmas story. Sack of puppies in the creek. A little boy is tasked with drowning them, and he names them after Santa's reindeer, and as they struggle while the sack sinks, the boy is encouraging them to go towards the light. "On Dasher, On Dancer!"
Waitaminute...I guess the whole day is sort of based around a guy who died a gruesome death. So not my cup of cocoa with a candy cane sticking out of it, but I suppose I can't argue people are deviating from the true meaning of Christmas...
aurelialebrun's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shi2147's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
"First published in 1904, "A Kidnapped Santa Claus" by L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz, describes the action of some uncommon events in the land of Santa. Not far from the Laughing Valley where Santa and all his magical helpers live, and beyond the Forest of Burzee, there stands a huge mountain that contains the Cave of Demons. Each demon has a specialty: Selfishness, Envy, Hatred, Malice, and Repentance. Because the promise of Santa puts all girls and boys on their best behavior, the demons have hardly any visitors to their caves. In order to remedy their dismal foot traffic, they conspire to kidnap Santa But oh even when it looks as if the demons might win, one can never underestimate the power of devoted (and magical ) friends." (From Amazon)
I enjoyed this novella especially since I read it during Christmas. Recommend it for must-read for Christmas.
"First published in 1904, "A Kidnapped Santa Claus" by L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz, describes the action of some uncommon events in the land of Santa. Not far from the Laughing Valley where Santa and all his magical helpers live, and beyond the Forest of Burzee, there stands a huge mountain that contains the Cave of Demons. Each demon has a specialty: Selfishness, Envy, Hatred, Malice, and Repentance. Because the promise of Santa puts all girls and boys on their best behavior, the demons have hardly any visitors to their caves. In order to remedy their dismal foot traffic, they conspire to kidnap Santa But oh even when it looks as if the demons might win, one can never underestimate the power of devoted (and magical ) friends." (From Amazon)
I enjoyed this novella especially since I read it during Christmas. Recommend it for must-read for Christmas.