Jason Hedden

Before Santa Was Jolly: Thomas Nast and the Making of Santa Claus

Cover of the book 'Before Santa Was Jolly', featuring an illustration of a jolly Santa Claus holding a pipe, with a child and various icons representing Christmas traditions, set against a red background.

Before Santa was jolly… he was a story waiting to be drawn.
In this richly illustrated historical coloring book, author and educator Jason invites readers to step into the world of Thomas Nast, the 19th-century artist whose imagination shaped the modern Santa Claus.

Travel from Old World legends of Saint Nicholas and Sinterklaas…
to 1800s New York City… to the pages of Harper’s Weekly, where Nast drew more than thirty Santa illustrations that defined the holiday figure we know today.

Packed with restored engravings, original line-art recreations, historical storytelling, timelines, maps, creative prompts, and activities, this book blends art, education, and Christmas magic. Readers will explore:

🎄 How holiday traditions evolved in Europe and America
🎨 How 19th-century engravers created illustrations
📜 How Nast invented Santa’s workshop, list, and North Pole home
⚔️ How Santa appeared during the Civil War
🧭 How Santa traveled the world long before planes and movies
🎅 How the jolly Santa we know today took shape

Perfect for classrooms, families, art lovers, and holiday enthusiasts, Before Santa Was Jolly is more than a coloring book—it’s a hands-on journey through American history, imagination, and the making of a beloved icon.

Color. Learn. Remember. Celebrate Freedom.

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December 3, 2025

Patriot Heroes: Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

Patriot Heroes celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary with a unique tribute to the men who shaped our nation’s independence.

This offers a one-of-a-kind coloring and educational book featuring 27 influential men of the American Revolution. From well-known Founding Fathers like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin to lesser-known patriots such as James Armistead Lafayette, Haym Salomon, and Hercules Mulligan, this book brings history to life in a fun and engaging way.

Each leader is illustrated in bold, detailed line art, perfect for coloring, with a companion page ready for a short biography. This blend of creativity and learning makes the book ideal for classrooms, homeschool lessons, history enthusiasts, and anyone wishing to celebrate America’s 250 years of liberty.

Preview Pages

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November 8, 2025

If I Am Remembered: The Women of the White House

If I Am Remembered invites readers to explore the lives and legacies of 60 women who shaped the White House and the nation beyond its walls. Each portrait is paired with a first-person reflection, written as though each woman were telling her own story. Blending art and history, this book honors leadership, service, and humanity—while encouraging readers to engage thoughtfully through the act of coloring. You’ll find a refined, bookstore-quality style; a mission of accuracy without grandstanding; and a welcoming tone that centers learning, dignity, and curiosity.

Featuring portraits inspired by official White House paintings, this book celebrates the legacies of every First Lady and hostess—from Martha Washington to Dr. Jill Biden—through stunning line art and intimate, first-person reflections. Each page captures the grace, courage, and complexity of the women who stood beside power and, often, wielded it quietly themselves.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, student, or lifelong learner, If I Am Remembered offers an accessible, meaningful way to connect with the stories of American women whose work, influence, and example continue to resonate today.

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November 8, 2025

Patriot Heroines: Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

Patriot Heroines celebrates the unsung women who helped win America’s independence!

Step into the inspiring stories of America’s forgotten heroines. From Martha Washington comforting soldiers at winter camps, to Abigail Adams urging her husband to “remember the ladies,” to young Sybil Ludington riding through the night to rally the militia—this book brings their courage and sacrifice to life.

Created for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, Patriot Heroines is more than a coloring book—it’s a journey into history. Perfect for students, families, classrooms, and history lovers, this collection introduces both well-known and little-known women who stood firm in the fight for freedom.