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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