Author Pamela McColl will discuss her new book, Wondrous Mrs. Claus: A Literary and Pictorial Review of the Christmas Character. at Darien Library on Thursday, Nov. 13.

— an announcement from Darien Library (with added information)

About the Book

Mrs. Claus, the wife and partner to the global superstar Santa Claus, needs little introduction. Her kindness and charm are legendary. The character is also an enigma. Instead of being defined by a single seminal work, Mrs. Claus has undergone numerous reinventions, with her character continuously adapted to align with the sentiment and nature of each respective era.

She has been described as a fairy, an elf, a saint, a spirit, a redhead, brunette and blonde, portrayed as a girl, young woman, a wife, mother and a grandmother of old. Through all her various incarnations she has evolved as the premier heroine of Christmas literature, her character a vibrant role model for modern times.

Here’s part of the description of the book provided by the publisher on Amazon:

“Brimming with delightful poems, stories and images this publication chronicles Mrs. Claus from 1849 to the present day. The Christmas character was first mentioned by name in the Yale Literary Magazine of New Haven, Connecticut in 1851: ‘In bounded that jolly, fat and funny old elf, Santa Claus… He seemed to have done his best, and we should think, had Mrs. Santa Claus to help him.’

“Mrs. Claus first appeared in a theatrical production in Utica, New York in 1854 and debuted as the personification of “Mrs. Claus” in Cambridge, Ohio in 1899. As a kindred spirit to her jolly husband, Mrs. Claus exemplifies the goodwill and cheer that mark the festive season. Christmas stories written over the past two centuries establish her as a force for good in her own right, and as a bold and bright heroine for the ages. […]

“The retrieved stories and images, published from 1849 onward, vary in their depiction of the character, in terms of demeanour, appearance and role in Christmas Eve escapades. From being a mere mention, to taking on a supportive role to her wildly famous husband Santa Claus, to becoming the star of the show, saving Christmas time after time, she emerges as a true partner in the legend of the merry duo.”

If You’re Going:

Books will be available for purchase at the event.

Pamela McColl’s presentation takes place from 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8 in the Heron Room at Darien Library. The event is free. You can register here.

Parking is available in Darien Library’s parking lot. If the lot is full, there may be parking available behind Nielsen’s on Thorndal Circle (view parking map).

About the Author

Pamela McColl is an award-winning author, publisher and lecturer. After studying art and history at the University of Manitoba, McColl worked for 25 years as a corporate art consultant.

In the 1990’s she formed a publishing company devoted to bringing books of social and historical significance to the public. In 2012 she published the delightful ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, edited by Santa Claus for the Benefit of Children of the 21st Century.

It was hailed as the first “smoke-free” edition of the poem since McColl omitted the image of Santa smoking a pipe with a ring of smoke over his head.

This publication created a media sensation and was covered in the United States by The Colbert Report, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, New York Post, The View, Vanity Fair.com, Fox News, and The Huffington Post as well as other news outlets.

The book won A Gold Medal Best Holiday Book for the Moonbeam Children’s Book awards, and four Benjamin Franklin book awards for 2013.