What do You think about How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas (2006)?
I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this book. I liked, more than I expected, the historical facts about Christmas, English Puritan religion, and various other facts scattered throughout the book. I expected a more fanciful book. The pacing is slow and I didn't really like any of the characters. The characters with the most depth were the bad guys. It did had a few fanciful-over the top in my opinion-ideas about Santa and his friends. I won't be recomending this to anyone, but I can't say I didn't get anything out of it either.
—Jenifer
First of all, you have to read The Autobiography of Santa Claus before this book. I think this book may be better. Autobiography sets the stage for this second book in the trilogy of Christmas. The first part of How Mrs. Claus starts off recapping things so I guess you could technically not read Autobiography first, but I suggest you don't. Layla Claus is left alone in England during a turbulent time of British history. King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell play a huge part in this book. I love how Jeff Guinn takes factual history and makes it another character in his story. He weaves the Puritians take over of England into them trying to cancel Christmas. The only bad things about this book is the fact that it drags in spots which would bore some children and the fact that he takes historical people such as King Arthur and Leonardo da Vinci and keeps them alive to help Santa out. I didn't enjoy that. I always thought that Santa used normal everyday people. However I'm willing to overlook this part. ;-) I would highly recommend this trilogy so far to parents to read to their children. It will instill Christmas in their hearts while teaching them some history at the same time.
—Samantha
A great sequel. Loved it. We learn more about Mrs. Claus, Layla, as she tells her story.Where she was born, her personal history and meeting Nicholas from her point of view. Very fun. The story of the Puritans trying to ban Christmas in 1647 is the main focus of the majority of the story. Learned a lot and it was painless:). The Autobiography of Santa Claus and this book have just oozed the Christmas spirit. The have both left me with such a good feeling. True Christmas cheer. I am excited to start the third book in the Christmas Chronicles series.
—Teri
