Originally published in 1902, ‘The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus’ is a fantasy book written by L. Frank Baum (author of ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’). Baum dedicated the book to his son Harry Neal Baum.
This biography of Santa Claus is told in three parts. The first deals with his infancy, telling how he was raised by the Wood Nymphs in the enchanted Forest of Burzee. The middle section narrates his manhood: how he became the friend of children, how his enemies the Awgwas were defeated, and how many of his Christmas traditions began. The final part deals with his old age, and how the Mantle of Immortality was bestowed on him.
Although it is not part of the Oz series, ‘The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus’ does have many connections with the Land of Oz. It introduces the Gnome King, who later appeared in Ozma of Oz and other Oz books. Also, Santa Claus himself visited the Emerald City and was an honored guest at Ozma’s birthday party in The Road to Oz.