Santa Claus: The younger years

Santa Claus: The younger years

Fiction chronicles the story of Santa Claus before we knew him best

GLEN ROSE, TEXAS - Ever imagine what Santa Claus' childhood was like?

Just in time for the holidays, D. R. Strahan reveals the story behind the legend in Throwaways: The Claus Chronicles (according to me).

Geared toward young adults, the story begins in the town of At il, located north of the Arctic Circle. Two laws were strictly enforced: It was against the law to feed the children and number two, it was against the law to leave the city. Fox, the 13-year-old son of the governor, had done both.

When he and two friends were invited to visit a family compound outside the city, Fox deliberated hard and long about the situation. Breaking the law as a loner was one thing but when it involved others the decision was much more difficult.

As this adventure-driven story unfolds, we see how daunting adversity shapes young Fox's story into the holly, jolly legend we all know and love.

Strahan weaves carefully researched elements of the Aurora Borealis phenomenon, topical regions north of the Arctic Circle, and real-time terrain in these regions into her story, giving it an authenticated feel. The stature, habits and lifestyles of the regional populations were also included in her research.

The oldest of four children, Strahan has long been telling bedtime stories about Santa Claus. "I wrote Throwaways: The Claus Chronicles (according to me), to give Santa Claus a history," says Strahan. "Similar to Wicked and the Wizard of Oz, my book gives you the background of one of the world's most beloved legends Santa Claus. Who he really is, who his relatives were, why he gave yearly gifts to children and where he got his magical powers."

By D. R. Strahan
Hardcover, $36.99. Paperback, $21.49
ISBN: 1452081719
Available at www.amazon.com
About the author:
D.R. Strahan has lived in Glen Rose, Texas for the past 30 years. She is the mother of three, grandmother of four and great grandmother of five. Strahan earned her Bachelor of Science degree in fashion design at the University of Texas in Austin at age 32. At age 57, Strahan returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education.