Santa Claus Speaks Through Spokane Writer

Sun., Dec. 14, 1997

By Susan English susane@spokesman.com

In a nutshell, here’s how a new book by a Spokane writer came about: Santa (as in that big Christmas guy) had some things to say. So he dialed up writer Mitch Finley (in some sort of Santa way) and asked him to ghost-write a book.

Finley said yes. Santa gave him the important messages about hope and seasonal cheer. And now we have “The Truth About Christmas” by Santa Claus (Crossroad Publishing, $14.95).

The book is, indeed, a holiday gem.

Written in verse, some of it’s old, some new, all of it is amusing in a quiet way. An example:

Is it true what they say about me?

They say that I live at the North Pole,

and I tell you this is true.

It is as true as Christmas.

But what is the North Pole?

I will tell you.

I live at the North Pole, but do not search for me in the snow and ice

at the top of the earth.

I live in the North Pole of your heart,

the place in your heart

that is the coldest and most difficult to get to

most of the time.

During the Christmas season,

with a little help from me,

and a little effort on your part,

that coldest part of your heart warms up a bit

in the spirit of the season,

and I, Santa Claus,

return to the world once more

from the North Pole of your heart.

The book’s subject matter is broad-ranging, and often metaphorical.

At the very least, it’s a great stocking stuffer that could just be incorporated into holiday traditions at your home.

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