The Four Santas
Celebrate this Christmas season with this heartwarming new take on Santa Claus. Dive into this delightful Christmas picture book to discover his magical origin, his reason for spreading joy and love to children throughout the world, and how he is able to make all those deliveries in only one night! Perfect for children ages 5-10.
About the story
Charlie is shocked! The Santa he saw this year didn’t look like the one he saw last year. Why the difference? Is Santa real? Happily, Charlie’s wise grandmother knows the real tale about Santa and how he brings joy and love to children all over the world.
Santa Claus is known throughout the world, but lots of youngsters hit an age when they start asking questions about where he came from and how – and why – he manages to deliver toys to children all over the world on Christmas Eve. This delightful, beautifully illustrated book answers these and other questions about the world’s most famous “jolly old elf”.
Author’s Note
I was born in Hanoi, Vietnam, during the French-Vietnamese war. Due to pending invasion by the Viet Cong, my parents sent me to the coast of France to be raised by my paternal grandmother. She had severe problems, and I consequently suffered a very difficult childhood full of painful abuse and rejection. Christmas was a non-event. My grandmother refused to celebrate in any way, gatherings with friends and family were never allowed, and the gifts that my far-away father sent me always mysteriously disappeared within one day of my opening them. As a result, from childhood into my thirties, I suffered severe depression every Christmas holiday season.
However, with the birth of my son, I swore that he would only know Christmas as a time of love, joy and inclusion. To facilitate this, I created a small seasonal display. Over the course of 30+ years, this has grown into an amazing Christmas/Winter Wonderland display that is 14’ long x 8’ high x 4’ deep, and has over 400 characters and 30 moving animations. It has been seen by thousands of people – both the young and young-at-heart – and highlighted on national and regional TV in the US and Europe. To the delight of the many visitors, I created dozens of stories to help bring all the magical creatures to life. “The 4 Santas” is the first of these tales to be published, with several more coming in the future.
Read my blog post “A Christmas Miracle” about the origin of the Christmas display
Testimonials
ENDORSEMENTS
From Louise Jane, CEO of “The Golden Wizard Book Prize
The Four Santas by Liliane Fortna is a delightful exploration of the enchanting world of Santa Claus, presented through a captivating narrative that intertwines a story within a story. The protagonist, Charlie, grapples with his scepticism about Santa's existence, a common concern among children as they grow older. Fortna skillfully addresses these doubts through the wise and comforting explanations provided by Charlie's grandmother, ensuring that the magic of Santa remains vibrant and alive for young readers. This thoughtful approach not only reassures children but also answers their pressing questions about Santa's origins, his motivations, and the logistics of delivering gifts to every child around the globe.
The literary quality of The Four Santas is outstanding, featuring a lyrical style that evokes nostalgia and a sense of timelessness. Fortna's narrative approach is reminiscent of traditional holiday stories that have been cherished and shared through generations.The imaginative concept of Santa having brothers who assist him adds a delightful twist to the traditional narrative however, inviting readers to envision a broader, more magical family dynamic. This creative expansion of the Santa mythos fosters a sense of wonder and joy, mirroring the feelings associated with the Christmas season itself, all encapsulated within the pages of this enchanting book.
Moreover, the illustrations accompanying the text are stunning and richly detailed, enhancing the overall reading experience. They not only complement the narrative but also serve to ignite the imaginations of children, making the story even more engaging. The potential for this book to spread happiness is immense, as it is likely to be read and cherished repeatedly by families during the holiday season. Having been thoroughly impressed by this work, I eagerly anticipate following Liliane Fortna's career and discovering more of her enchanting storytelling in the future.
~Louise Jane, CEO The Golden Wizard Book Prize
REVIEWS
Great for Bigs and Littles
What a great way to keep the magic and wonder of Santa going for a little longer when kids start to ask questions! I enjoyed reading this with my three year old and getting into the Christmas spirit. ~Books R Life
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Wonderful
What a lovely way of explaining to a child about the magic of Santa Claus, I only wish I had little ones to share it with! ~SpineyMe!
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Sweet Christmastime story
My children and I enjoy reading this Christmas story as we get ready for the holiday season. It's a fun and magical read! ~ J Led
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Santa is coming to town
The Four Santas is a great children's book that celebrates the wonders of Santa. Every young child will enjoy the story and the illustrations in Liliane's book. Happy Holidays! ~ JJohnson
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Good read
This was a good book that held my daughter attention from the beginning to the end.I’m looking forward to reading more. ~ Paula J
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Beautiful, sweet story for the holidays!
I love the concept of this book, and remember my son asking me how Santa could be in all those places at one time. Now, we have an answer! And the illustrations are classic and timeless. A sweet holiday treat for kids of all ages! ~ Alan
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The Four Santas by Liliane Fortna is wonderfully written with themes that will resonate with readers. I loved how it emphasized good morals for children to be on Santa’s nice list. The work will also go a long way in reassuring older kids who have started to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. Liliane made sure the characters were relatable, and readers will also appreciate the logical flow of events, which leaves no room for confusion for the reader. The illustrations by Marizan Ranisavljev are not only captivating but also add to the overall beauty of the work. This is a good story, and I look forward to reading something else by this talented author. ~ Frank Mutuma
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The Four Santas by Liliane Fortna is a charming and imaginative tale that redefines the magic of Christmas. It captures the curiosity and wonder of a young boy, Charlie, as he grapples with his doubts about Santa Claus and hears an enchanting story that restores his belief. The narrative is set in a quaint mountain village, rich with the sights and smells of the holiday season, from roasted chestnuts to colorful lights. When Charlie sees inconsistencies in Santa’s looks while visiting, his insightful grandmother tells him a magical story about Santa and his three brothers—Nick, Kris, and Noel—who each spread joy to every corner of the world. This imaginative explanation rekindles Charlie’s belief and reminds readers of the spirit of generosity and collaboration.
Maja Ranisavljev's illustrations are breathtaking, highlighting Liliane Fortna’s prose with elegance and spirit. The detailed storytelling allows readers to imagine themselves at the Christmas market or sitting by the fireplace as Charlie’s grandmother recounts her tale. The themes of collaboration, family, and the joy of giving make this a perfect holiday read for children and adults.
The Four Santas is a delightful addition to the holiday season, offering a unique perspective on the beloved figure of Santa Claus. Its blend of whimsy and wisdom makes it a memorable story that will leave readers feeling warm and inspired. Fortna’s reflection on how she came to write the book is equally engaging and a story in itself. Perfect for sharing during family gatherings, The Four Santas will surely become a cherished part of any Christmas tradition ~ Carol Thompson
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The magic of Christmas inspires us to be generous and kind. It also strengthens the bonds between loved ones by creating special moments. To keep this spirit alive, Liliane Fortna presents The Four Santas which is beautifully illustrated by Marizan Ranisavljev.. Charlie is a boy who lives in a mountain village. Every year, he travels into town to visit the Christmas Market and to see Santa. At first, he is happy and excited to see the seasonal decorations. However, something makes him uneasy: Charlie notices that Santa's eyes, which were brown the year before, are now blue. Discouraged, that same afternoon, he tells his mother and grandmother that he no longer believes in Santa. Then, his grandmother tells him the story of Santa and his brothers, who work together to bring love and joy to the whole world.
I loved Liliane Fortna's narrative style. Her sentences are short, and the vocabulary is appropriate for children. The text flows naturally, creating a warm and hopeful atmosphere. The story is interesting, thanks to the new situations and maintains a good pace. In addition, the characters are charming and highlight family togetherness, whether in the story of the four siblings or in Charlie's sincerity in expressing his feelings at home. Values such as teamwork and solidarity are also highlighted.
Marizan Ranisavljev's illustrations have a unique style reminiscent of classic fairy tales, with cheerful and magical lighting combined with warm and comforting colors. The Four Santas is a beautiful reminder of the importance of maintaining imagination and illusion to preserve joy in children. ~ Diana Lopez f
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“Believing in Santa is believing in the magic of Christmas.” The Four Santas is such a beautiful story by Liliane Fortna. Children look forward to Christmas and meeting Santa Claus is one of the thrills for them. Charlie’s disappointment when he realized that last year’s Santa was different could be the same for other children too. I liked the clever story his grandmother told, giving him reasons why Santa was different. Maybe parents and teachers will get the chance to tell it if children are observant like Charlie, who had a good memory.
The illustrations by Marizan Ranisavljev are so wonderful. The Four Santas: A Magical Christmas Story of Time, Toys, and Togetherness is a lovely picture book for young readers. ~ Michelle Stanley
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