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Miracle on 34th Street
A fascimile edition of the classic story, originally published in 1947, beautifully recreates the story of three people whose lives are forever changed by a man who insists that he is Santa Claus and includes details of how the book came about, and how it was made into a wonderful film. 30,000 first printing.
125 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1947
86 people are currently reading
3456 people want to read
About the author
Valentine Davies
16 books12 followersValentine Davies (August 25, 1905 – July 23, 1961) was an American film and television writer, producer, and director. His film credits included Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Chicken Every Sunday (1949), The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954), and The Benny Goodman Story (1955). He was nominated for the 1954 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for The Glenn Miller Story.
Davies was born in New York City, served in the Coast Guard, and graduated from the University of Michigan. He wrote a number of Broadway plays and was president of the Screen Writers Guild and general chairman of the Academy Awards program.
He wrote the story for the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street, which was given screen treatment by the director, George Seaton. Davies also did a novelization of the story, which was published as a novella by Harcourt Brace & Company in conjunction with the film release. Miracle on 34th Street earned him an Academy Award for Best Story.
Davies was born in New York City, served in the Coast Guard, and graduated from the University of Michigan. He wrote a number of Broadway plays and was president of the Screen Writers Guild and general chairman of the Academy Awards program.
He wrote the story for the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street, which was given screen treatment by the director, George Seaton. Davies also did a novelization of the story, which was published as a novella by Harcourt Brace & Company in conjunction with the film release. Miracle on 34th Street earned him an Academy Award for Best Story.
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October 2, 2018
Whoo-hoo! It's just TWELVE WEEKS until Christmas!! I adore the holiday season. I especially love good holiday movies and books!
One of my favorite Christmas movies is "Miracle on 34th Street" starring Natalie Wood. At the time that the movie was made, Valentine Davies also penned a short novella to accompany the film release. There have been several adaptations of the movie and book but no other book has been released by the Davies estate - until now.
Miracle on 34th Street is a picture book for kids of all ages. The story is accurately re-told for the enjoyment of children. The writing, while simple, is not childishly over-handed and the prose flows brilliantly throughout the book. The illustrations by James Newman Gray are exquisite. Their detail and vivid colors are sure to capture the eye of many young readers.
Most importantly, this new rendition fully captures the hope, magic and joy of the original movie. This is a must-have book for your holiday library collection.
Thank you to #Netgalley, #SourcebooksJabberwocky and the Davies Estate for this marvelous holiday tale.
One of my favorite Christmas movies is "Miracle on 34th Street" starring Natalie Wood. At the time that the movie was made, Valentine Davies also penned a short novella to accompany the film release. There have been several adaptations of the movie and book but no other book has been released by the Davies estate - until now.
Miracle on 34th Street is a picture book for kids of all ages. The story is accurately re-told for the enjoyment of children. The writing, while simple, is not childishly over-handed and the prose flows brilliantly throughout the book. The illustrations by James Newman Gray are exquisite. Their detail and vivid colors are sure to capture the eye of many young readers.
Most importantly, this new rendition fully captures the hope, magic and joy of the original movie. This is a must-have book for your holiday library collection.
Thank you to #Netgalley, #SourcebooksJabberwocky and the Davies Estate for this marvelous holiday tale.
December 23, 2020
"Do you believe that you are Santa Claus?"
"Of course!" said Mr. Kringle.
I was raised in a dark, distant time. There were no streaming services, no DVDs, not even VHS. Where I lived, we didn't get cable. There were three broadcast channels, and PBS, and you were at their mercy. They showed the holiday classics once each year, and if you missed that single broadcast - woe unto you! (Seriously. You DID NOT want to be the only kid at the elementary school water fountain who had missed the annual showing of The Charlie Brown Christmas special the night before.) So it was a great comfort to have this book as a youngster, as it is frequently a verbatim retelling of the film, just in case I managed to miss my one opportunity to see the movie.
Since I seriously doubt anyone reading this review is unfamiliar with the film, I'll give only the briefest recap: a man who's convinced he's the real Santa Claus has to convince others of his identity. Chief among the doubters are a jaded divorced mother and her cynical young daughter.
"Well, said Susan with conviction, "if you're really Santa you can get it for me! And if you can't, then you're only a nice man with a white beard, like Mother says!"
It's a challenge that our Mr. Kringle does not take lightly.
For Kris had begun to realize that Doris and little Susan were but unhappy products of their times. They presented a real challenge to him - a sort of test-case for Santa Claus. If he could win them over, if he could get them to believe in him - then there was still hope. If not, Santa Claus and all he stood for were through.
There is a trial with a very funny denouement, and an ending that never fails to elicit both a tear and a smile from this cynical, jaded old gal.
Read the book, or see the movie, but DO make this little miracle a regular part of your holiday celebrations.
"Of course!" said Mr. Kringle.
I was raised in a dark, distant time. There were no streaming services, no DVDs, not even VHS. Where I lived, we didn't get cable. There were three broadcast channels, and PBS, and you were at their mercy. They showed the holiday classics once each year, and if you missed that single broadcast - woe unto you! (Seriously. You DID NOT want to be the only kid at the elementary school water fountain who had missed the annual showing of The Charlie Brown Christmas special the night before.) So it was a great comfort to have this book as a youngster, as it is frequently a verbatim retelling of the film, just in case I managed to miss my one opportunity to see the movie.
Since I seriously doubt anyone reading this review is unfamiliar with the film, I'll give only the briefest recap: a man who's convinced he's the real Santa Claus has to convince others of his identity. Chief among the doubters are a jaded divorced mother and her cynical young daughter.
"Well, said Susan with conviction, "if you're really Santa you can get it for me! And if you can't, then you're only a nice man with a white beard, like Mother says!"
It's a challenge that our Mr. Kringle does not take lightly.
For Kris had begun to realize that Doris and little Susan were but unhappy products of their times. They presented a real challenge to him - a sort of test-case for Santa Claus. If he could win them over, if he could get them to believe in him - then there was still hope. If not, Santa Claus and all he stood for were through.
There is a trial with a very funny denouement, and an ending that never fails to elicit both a tear and a smile from this cynical, jaded old gal.
Read the book, or see the movie, but DO make this little miracle a regular part of your holiday celebrations.
December 30, 2018
"Can’t you let yourself believe in people like Kris—in fun and joy and love and all the other intangibles?"
Kris Kringle may seem like just another resident at the nursing home, but what is so special about him is that he looks uncannily like our image of Santa Claus… not only that, he believes himself to actually be Santa Claus! Sounds a bit batty, right? Well, that’s what many think. Only a few supporters truly believe him to be the real Santa Claus. And Doris and her little daughter, Susan, are skeptics as well. He may be a nice, little old man, but there is no such thing as Santa… right? Kris’s goal is to win these two over, and in the process he gets himself into a bit of trouble that lands him in court. With a little help from believer and lawyer Fred Gayley, Kris will need to prove his identity in order to disprove a case of insanity.
"If bringing back the true Christmas spirit is a form of insanity, then these are very strange times, indeed!"
Most everyone is familiar with the movie of the same title. What I didn’t realize before picking up this little novella was that the screenplay came in existence first. According to the historical note at the end of the book, Valentine Davies had the idea for the story which he took to screenwriter and director George Seaton, who then turned it into a screenplay which was released in 1947. Davies then wrote a novelization of the story which was published in conjunction with the movie. For the most part, I find that I prefer a book over a movie. Not so here. While I don’t remember every detail of the movie, I have fond memories of watching it years ago. I hoped the book would bring back some of that magic. Unfortunately, it failed to do so. The prose was rather simple and the characters were flat. While I felt sympathetic towards Kris Kringle, he didn’t really stir up any emotion in me. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Santa Claus! There were a few special quotes, but not enough to make the story highly engaging. I wanted to ‘believe’, but nothing here was evocative enough to draw me in and feel much of anything. It pains me to say I just wanted to rush through this and check it off my list. I feel like the Grinch! But really, Christmas is a magical time of year, full of wonder, and I enjoy it as much as the next person. If I want to stir up any nostalgia and feel my heart beat with excitement for the season, I’ll have to stick with A Christmas Carol to get the job done. I can’t recommend this one which I’m rating a mere 2 stars. I’d say watch the movie, and hopefully that will add a bit of sparkle that the written word in this case just didn’t achieve. Perhaps I’m just not a fan of novelizations.
"Christmas isn’t just a day. It’s a frame of mind."
Kris Kringle may seem like just another resident at the nursing home, but what is so special about him is that he looks uncannily like our image of Santa Claus… not only that, he believes himself to actually be Santa Claus! Sounds a bit batty, right? Well, that’s what many think. Only a few supporters truly believe him to be the real Santa Claus. And Doris and her little daughter, Susan, are skeptics as well. He may be a nice, little old man, but there is no such thing as Santa… right? Kris’s goal is to win these two over, and in the process he gets himself into a bit of trouble that lands him in court. With a little help from believer and lawyer Fred Gayley, Kris will need to prove his identity in order to disprove a case of insanity.
"If bringing back the true Christmas spirit is a form of insanity, then these are very strange times, indeed!"
Most everyone is familiar with the movie of the same title. What I didn’t realize before picking up this little novella was that the screenplay came in existence first. According to the historical note at the end of the book, Valentine Davies had the idea for the story which he took to screenwriter and director George Seaton, who then turned it into a screenplay which was released in 1947. Davies then wrote a novelization of the story which was published in conjunction with the movie. For the most part, I find that I prefer a book over a movie. Not so here. While I don’t remember every detail of the movie, I have fond memories of watching it years ago. I hoped the book would bring back some of that magic. Unfortunately, it failed to do so. The prose was rather simple and the characters were flat. While I felt sympathetic towards Kris Kringle, he didn’t really stir up any emotion in me. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Santa Claus! There were a few special quotes, but not enough to make the story highly engaging. I wanted to ‘believe’, but nothing here was evocative enough to draw me in and feel much of anything. It pains me to say I just wanted to rush through this and check it off my list. I feel like the Grinch! But really, Christmas is a magical time of year, full of wonder, and I enjoy it as much as the next person. If I want to stir up any nostalgia and feel my heart beat with excitement for the season, I’ll have to stick with A Christmas Carol to get the job done. I can’t recommend this one which I’m rating a mere 2 stars. I’d say watch the movie, and hopefully that will add a bit of sparkle that the written word in this case just didn’t achieve. Perhaps I’m just not a fan of novelizations.
"Christmas isn’t just a day. It’s a frame of mind."
May 24, 2017
First airing in theaters in 1947, and based on a story by Valentine Davies (though the actual screenplay was by George Seaton) Miracle on 34th St. is one of America's better-known and beloved classic Christmas movies. In contrast, the novelization, done by Davies himself, is so little known that I had to add it to the Goodreads database myself when I began reading it two days ago. (I started reading it because one of my Goodreads groups has a thread for classic Christmas books, and I wanted to contribute something to that.) Having read the book, I could understand its relative obscurity. This is actually one of the very rare cases where I enjoyed the film more than the book.
The movie and the novel were released simultaneously; so Davies probably never watched the movie itself before novelizing it. (He probably worked from Seaton's screenplay, though we aren't told.) I'm guessing that his writing schedule may also have been considerably rushed to meet that deadline. At 120 smaller-than-standard pages, with good-sized type and a lot of white space, the book is definitely a quick read. It reproduces, in bare-bones fashion, the essentials of the movie storyline (some incidents in the film are omitted or changed here); but in general, the film version is the more detailed in developing the characters and events, and the more emotionally evocative. Davies comes across as very mediocre in his literary gifts; he's produced a dry retelling of the story, with a great deal of telling rather than showing, and a fairly flat tone. Since I've seen the movie (more than once), the book benefited from my familiarity with the characters, but if I'd only read the book, I probably wouldn't have been as engaged with them; and the fact that I'd seen the film acted to eliminate any suspense or tension in the narration. A better writer, with more apparent understanding of fictional technique, could have really adapted the material to the written medium and made it compelling; Davies didn't. (I was also surprised to find that the book has one d-word early on --the film, in keeping with the Hollywood standards of that day, has no bad language.) I didn't really dislike the book (it benefits from nostalgia for the movie); but I hesitate to recommend it --readers who've seen the movie are apt to be disappointed with this pallid version, while readers who haven't seen the celluloid version might assume it's as lackluster as the book, and miss a good viewing experience. My advice is to watch the film (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039628/ ) and skip the book.
Also, I've always had mixed feelings about the message conveyed by both book and movie. Yes, I get that "Santa Claus" functions here (as in some other classic works, such as Francis Church's "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus") for the warm-fuzzy side of human experience: altruism, optimism, belief in intangibles, recognition of a dimension to reality that's outside the coldly rational, pessimistic and self-centered. As such, I naturally sympathize. BUT, I also believe it's possible to reject a materialist and egoistic view of the universe without necessarily equating this with a claim that an immortal man in a red suit lives at the North Pole and delivers gifts to all the world's children via their chimneys on Christmas Eve; and that one can recognize the limits of reason without actually disparaging reason ("Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to" is, unfortunately, a prime example of the latter). What Seaton and Davies are preaching is essentially postmodernism: objective reality doesn't matter; all that really matters is whatever you subjectively want to believe. That's not, ultimately, the most helpful way of relating to reality. And it can be particularly pernicious when it takes the form of claiming that the warm-fuzzy side of human experience is a myth, but a myth that's the comforting province of childhood; i.e., children should be encouraged by adults to live in a cocoon of fantasy to shield them from awful reality (and then have that cocoon ripped away from them when they're "old enough"). It's always seemed to me that this is what the conventional practice of making kids believe in Santa actually is based on. (Of course, I don't know much about it from personal experience; I don't ever recall believing in Santa, and had figured out by the time I was five that he was just a man dressed up in a red suit and fake beard.)
My wife and I are both firm believers in the intangible dimension of reality: in the importance of love, caring and generosity; the idea of meaning and purpose in the universe; existential optimism; the value of believing in the unseen. For us, this is in accord with what reason leads us to, though it goes beyond reason, and it's centrally embodied in the baby born in a stable at Bethlehem, to bring mankind peace and goodwill in an eternal scheme of things. We always tried to lead our kids to the understanding that this is what Christmas is about, and we never deliberately told them untruths; they knew about the historical St. Nicholas as an example of gift-giving, and they always knew where Christmas gifts really came from. Every parent or set of parents, of course, has to do what they honestly believe is best in that area. But that's what we felt best to do, and I would do it again; so that colors my approach to this tale. All of that said, we've watched the movie as a family, and appreciated it as a fictional metaphor --we just didn't confuse metaphor with reality!
The movie and the novel were released simultaneously; so Davies probably never watched the movie itself before novelizing it. (He probably worked from Seaton's screenplay, though we aren't told.) I'm guessing that his writing schedule may also have been considerably rushed to meet that deadline. At 120 smaller-than-standard pages, with good-sized type and a lot of white space, the book is definitely a quick read. It reproduces, in bare-bones fashion, the essentials of the movie storyline (some incidents in the film are omitted or changed here); but in general, the film version is the more detailed in developing the characters and events, and the more emotionally evocative. Davies comes across as very mediocre in his literary gifts; he's produced a dry retelling of the story, with a great deal of telling rather than showing, and a fairly flat tone. Since I've seen the movie (more than once), the book benefited from my familiarity with the characters, but if I'd only read the book, I probably wouldn't have been as engaged with them; and the fact that I'd seen the film acted to eliminate any suspense or tension in the narration. A better writer, with more apparent understanding of fictional technique, could have really adapted the material to the written medium and made it compelling; Davies didn't. (I was also surprised to find that the book has one d-word early on --the film, in keeping with the Hollywood standards of that day, has no bad language.) I didn't really dislike the book (it benefits from nostalgia for the movie); but I hesitate to recommend it --readers who've seen the movie are apt to be disappointed with this pallid version, while readers who haven't seen the celluloid version might assume it's as lackluster as the book, and miss a good viewing experience. My advice is to watch the film (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039628/ ) and skip the book.
Also, I've always had mixed feelings about the message conveyed by both book and movie. Yes, I get that "Santa Claus" functions here (as in some other classic works, such as Francis Church's "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus") for the warm-fuzzy side of human experience: altruism, optimism, belief in intangibles, recognition of a dimension to reality that's outside the coldly rational, pessimistic and self-centered. As such, I naturally sympathize. BUT, I also believe it's possible to reject a materialist and egoistic view of the universe without necessarily equating this with a claim that an immortal man in a red suit lives at the North Pole and delivers gifts to all the world's children via their chimneys on Christmas Eve; and that one can recognize the limits of reason without actually disparaging reason ("Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to" is, unfortunately, a prime example of the latter). What Seaton and Davies are preaching is essentially postmodernism: objective reality doesn't matter; all that really matters is whatever you subjectively want to believe. That's not, ultimately, the most helpful way of relating to reality. And it can be particularly pernicious when it takes the form of claiming that the warm-fuzzy side of human experience is a myth, but a myth that's the comforting province of childhood; i.e., children should be encouraged by adults to live in a cocoon of fantasy to shield them from awful reality (and then have that cocoon ripped away from them when they're "old enough"). It's always seemed to me that this is what the conventional practice of making kids believe in Santa actually is based on. (Of course, I don't know much about it from personal experience; I don't ever recall believing in Santa, and had figured out by the time I was five that he was just a man dressed up in a red suit and fake beard.)
My wife and I are both firm believers in the intangible dimension of reality: in the importance of love, caring and generosity; the idea of meaning and purpose in the universe; existential optimism; the value of believing in the unseen. For us, this is in accord with what reason leads us to, though it goes beyond reason, and it's centrally embodied in the baby born in a stable at Bethlehem, to bring mankind peace and goodwill in an eternal scheme of things. We always tried to lead our kids to the understanding that this is what Christmas is about, and we never deliberately told them untruths; they knew about the historical St. Nicholas as an example of gift-giving, and they always knew where Christmas gifts really came from. Every parent or set of parents, of course, has to do what they honestly believe is best in that area. But that's what we felt best to do, and I would do it again; so that colors my approach to this tale. All of that said, we've watched the movie as a family, and appreciated it as a fictional metaphor --we just didn't confuse metaphor with reality!
December 14, 2023
3⭐
Genre ~ children's fiction for ages 4-9
Setting ~ NYC
Publication date ~ October 2, 2018
Est page Count ~ 32
Audio length ~ 16 minutes
Narrator ~ George Newbern
Gave Libby a peruse at 4:16 am for some Christmas audios in hopes of lulling me back to sleep. I figured I could spare 16 minutes while I stare in the dark tossing and turning with nothing better to do since I've never read it, or watched the movie for that matter, and 'tis the season.
Susan doesn't believe in Santa. She meets Kris Kringle who is adamant that he is indeed really Santa Clause. Will she and others in the city believe him?
So this was alright. Maybe I would have liked it better had I read the classic from 1945, or even watched the movie from 1947. I'm guessing this was true to the original just cut down into a children's version. Did they really take Santa to court to prove he was real? Have I missed out and really do need to watch the movie? Let me know if I need to fit it among The Polar Express, Elf and A Christmas Story this season.
Narration notes:
I've listened to George many times in adult fiction and he always does a great job. This one has side effects that give the story a little extra pizzazz, which would surely be a fun listen for the kiddos, whether they believe or not.
Here's a fun fact I found on Wikipedia:
The inspiration for the story, about a disillusioned woman, her skeptical daughter and a mysterious man who believes he is the real Santa Claus, came when Valentine Davies was standing in line at a big department store during the Christmas season.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ children's fiction for ages 4-9
Setting ~ NYC
Publication date ~ October 2, 2018
Est page Count ~ 32
Audio length ~ 16 minutes
Narrator ~ George Newbern
Gave Libby a peruse at 4:16 am for some Christmas audios in hopes of lulling me back to sleep. I figured I could spare 16 minutes while I stare in the dark tossing and turning with nothing better to do since I've never read it, or watched the movie for that matter, and 'tis the season.
Susan doesn't believe in Santa. She meets Kris Kringle who is adamant that he is indeed really Santa Clause. Will she and others in the city believe him?
So this was alright. Maybe I would have liked it better had I read the classic from 1945, or even watched the movie from 1947. I'm guessing this was true to the original just cut down into a children's version. Did they really take Santa to court to prove he was real? Have I missed out and really do need to watch the movie? Let me know if I need to fit it among The Polar Express, Elf and A Christmas Story this season.
Narration notes:
I've listened to George many times in adult fiction and he always does a great job. This one has side effects that give the story a little extra pizzazz, which would surely be a fun listen for the kiddos, whether they believe or not.
Here's a fun fact I found on Wikipedia:
The inspiration for the story, about a disillusioned woman, her skeptical daughter and a mysterious man who believes he is the real Santa Claus, came when Valentine Davies was standing in line at a big department store during the Christmas season.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
December 13, 2020
Bells jingling for this amazingly heart-warming Christmas-oozing book. I can literally smell the gingerbread cookies, feel the snowy winter, hear the sleigh bells and taste its unique sweetness. Yes, this is exactly what I was looking for and I’m in love with it! My heart is like a marshmellow right now. What a lovely book! A Christmas miracle everybody’s in need of. Santa comes back to the town only to find it’s filled with cynicals and capitalists! However, he’s not the one to give up; Kris Krieger brings back the lost spirit of Christmas and joy by touching people’s lives and spreading the much-needed cheer. Having devoured it in one sitting, I can easily say with a clear conscience and light heart that it's an amazingly fulfilling, cozy and elating read.
Finally, for all the cynics out there:
"Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to."
Finally, for all the cynics out there:
"Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to."
November 27, 2016
This is the first book that I have read where the author admittedly wrote it for a screenplay then translated it into book form. It reads that way and I loved it. I felt I was reading the movie but in a more explored, in depth way. I loved the experience.
I loved following Susan's path from skeptic to unabashedly believing in the existence of Santa Claus. I mean, if the United States Post Office believes in the guy, who can refute that? Reading about Doris's thawing from her divorce, which is alluded to being quite damaging to her, was heartwarming. The patience and love Fred has for her is sweet. But ultimately, the point Valentine Davies was trying to make in 1947, is the Christmas is getting too commercialized. We need to stop and reflect what it is all about. It isn't about the shopping, trying to one up each other, racing around to find that perfect present. It is about having faith, enjoying each other, peace and good will towards all.
My copy is a 1947 edition I found in a used bookstore. It is pencilled up from the prior reader and I loved it. This was a well loved copy belonging to someone who loved the message. I think the note I loved the best and I am inferring it; is at the end of a chapter where Fred is left anxiously wondering what "competent source" he can produce for the Judge to prove the existence of Santa Claus. The former book owner writes "See pg 104". I turned to page 104 and see boxed in with READ in capital letters next to the message that Susan writes to Kris Kringle professing her belief in Santa Claus. Doris has a postscript that acknowledges her belief. Sometimes faith is all you need to have as a competent source to support belief.
Happy Holidays, Goodreads Friends!!
I loved following Susan's path from skeptic to unabashedly believing in the existence of Santa Claus. I mean, if the United States Post Office believes in the guy, who can refute that? Reading about Doris's thawing from her divorce, which is alluded to being quite damaging to her, was heartwarming. The patience and love Fred has for her is sweet. But ultimately, the point Valentine Davies was trying to make in 1947, is the Christmas is getting too commercialized. We need to stop and reflect what it is all about. It isn't about the shopping, trying to one up each other, racing around to find that perfect present. It is about having faith, enjoying each other, peace and good will towards all.
My copy is a 1947 edition I found in a used bookstore. It is pencilled up from the prior reader and I loved it. This was a well loved copy belonging to someone who loved the message. I think the note I loved the best and I am inferring it; is at the end of a chapter where Fred is left anxiously wondering what "competent source" he can produce for the Judge to prove the existence of Santa Claus. The former book owner writes "See pg 104". I turned to page 104 and see boxed in with READ in capital letters next to the message that Susan writes to Kris Kringle professing her belief in Santa Claus. Doris has a postscript that acknowledges her belief. Sometimes faith is all you need to have as a competent source to support belief.
Happy Holidays, Goodreads Friends!!
December 31, 2018
"Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to."
Doris is straight-forward and frank in her style of parenting and as such Doris tells Susan, her young daughter, that Santa Claus is not real. When Kris Kringle begins to work as Macy's Santa and tells everyone that he is the real Santa, Doris worries as he winds up living with her and Susan. Doris is a skeptic and Susan is starting to become one as well. When Santa goes to trial to prove his identity, its not just these two that Mr. Kringle needs to convince.
Based on the screenplay of the movie by the same name, 'Miracle on 34th Street' is a Christmas classic. Valentine Davies wrote this story somewhat in reverse: the movie came first (though the movie and book were released simultaneously in 1947). Kris Kringle lives in a home and quite resembles jolly saint Nick. He gets work as Macy's Santa Claus and is a hit. He tells everyone that he is indeed the real Santa Claus. Besides the children, no one takes him seriously, chucking up his behaviour to old age and possibly insanity. When Mr. Kringle lands in court, he has to prove who he really is to the world. If I saw the movie, I do not recall. Based on other reviews, this was good for I was not comparing the screeplay to the book. I love the overall feeling of this book, it is warm and uplifting. It certainly carries a sense of wonder. Short but with lots of heart, this is one good book to close 2018.
Doris is straight-forward and frank in her style of parenting and as such Doris tells Susan, her young daughter, that Santa Claus is not real. When Kris Kringle begins to work as Macy's Santa and tells everyone that he is the real Santa, Doris worries as he winds up living with her and Susan. Doris is a skeptic and Susan is starting to become one as well. When Santa goes to trial to prove his identity, its not just these two that Mr. Kringle needs to convince.
Based on the screenplay of the movie by the same name, 'Miracle on 34th Street' is a Christmas classic. Valentine Davies wrote this story somewhat in reverse: the movie came first (though the movie and book were released simultaneously in 1947). Kris Kringle lives in a home and quite resembles jolly saint Nick. He gets work as Macy's Santa Claus and is a hit. He tells everyone that he is indeed the real Santa Claus. Besides the children, no one takes him seriously, chucking up his behaviour to old age and possibly insanity. When Mr. Kringle lands in court, he has to prove who he really is to the world. If I saw the movie, I do not recall. Based on other reviews, this was good for I was not comparing the screeplay to the book. I love the overall feeling of this book, it is warm and uplifting. It certainly carries a sense of wonder. Short but with lots of heart, this is one good book to close 2018.
December 25, 2014
I can't do anything really crafty, but I can fill in the cross-stitches if you give me a counted-cross-stitch kit. (I like the looks of those better than the printed ones.) I've been working on and off for years on a tree skirt kit. It has dark blue fabric, and the picture is of some beautiful animals and a seriously awesome St. Nicholas, wearing pale blue and looking rather fierce.
I chose this pattern because I've never really liked the traditional Santa Claus – all omni-benevolent and generically sweet. I like the idea of a volatile elemental spirit, a guardian of children who doesn't have any illusions about them.
So I enjoyed Miracle, because this Kris Kringle isn't sweet. Or rather, he isn't just sweet. He's capricious and irritable as well as open-handed, mischievous, and (of course) generous. He can have fits of stubbornness, anger, and despair. He's human, only more so.
This novel was written by a screenwriter named Valentine Davies who came up with the idea and pitched it first to his harshest critic: his wife. Rather to his surprise, she thought it sounded terrific. So he pitched it to Twentieth Century-Fox. They liked it, too.
Interestingly, Davies wrote the novel but not the screenplay – which probably accounts for some differences between the two. The book and the movie were released at the same time, and Davies won an Academy Award for best original story.
I haven't seen the movie in quite a while, because I strongly disagree with the premise. I'm a fiction writer, and I've lived in a constantly shifting world of my own creation for as long as I can remember. (It would probably be more accurate to say "worlds," since this place in my head is as multileveled as Norse mythology, but has more laser weapons.)
This imaginary place is far more precious and interesting to me than the rock-solid real one everyone can see. I don't need to claim that my fantasies are "true" to grant them the significance in my life that they deserve. Some of my most important relationships are with people who don't technically exist.
So I don't understand or agree with the idea that the way to give children imagination is to tell them a story and then insist the characters in that story really exist. How does that teach them creativity? They don't have to use their imaginations. You've already told them everything.
I'm not arguing against playing Santa with kids, although as a parent I treated Santa Claus as just one more fairy-tale character and never gave him credit for the Christmas-morning wonders I worked my butt off to make happen. But I have no quarrel with people who tell their kids Santa is real. After all, most Americans grow up with that story, and they grow up just – well, okay, most Americans grow up to be total fruitcakes. But I don't blame Santa for that.
I'm just saying, I don't see any connection between developing the imagination and being told Santa Claus exists.
But if there were a Santa Claus, I'd like to imagine him as someone just like Valentine Davies' character: kind, impatient, humorous, animal-loving, imperious, and compassionate.
I chose this pattern because I've never really liked the traditional Santa Claus – all omni-benevolent and generically sweet. I like the idea of a volatile elemental spirit, a guardian of children who doesn't have any illusions about them.
So I enjoyed Miracle, because this Kris Kringle isn't sweet. Or rather, he isn't just sweet. He's capricious and irritable as well as open-handed, mischievous, and (of course) generous. He can have fits of stubbornness, anger, and despair. He's human, only more so.
This novel was written by a screenwriter named Valentine Davies who came up with the idea and pitched it first to his harshest critic: his wife. Rather to his surprise, she thought it sounded terrific. So he pitched it to Twentieth Century-Fox. They liked it, too.
Interestingly, Davies wrote the novel but not the screenplay – which probably accounts for some differences between the two. The book and the movie were released at the same time, and Davies won an Academy Award for best original story.
I haven't seen the movie in quite a while, because I strongly disagree with the premise. I'm a fiction writer, and I've lived in a constantly shifting world of my own creation for as long as I can remember. (It would probably be more accurate to say "worlds," since this place in my head is as multileveled as Norse mythology, but has more laser weapons.)
This imaginary place is far more precious and interesting to me than the rock-solid real one everyone can see. I don't need to claim that my fantasies are "true" to grant them the significance in my life that they deserve. Some of my most important relationships are with people who don't technically exist.
So I don't understand or agree with the idea that the way to give children imagination is to tell them a story and then insist the characters in that story really exist. How does that teach them creativity? They don't have to use their imaginations. You've already told them everything.
I'm not arguing against playing Santa with kids, although as a parent I treated Santa Claus as just one more fairy-tale character and never gave him credit for the Christmas-morning wonders I worked my butt off to make happen. But I have no quarrel with people who tell their kids Santa is real. After all, most Americans grow up with that story, and they grow up just – well, okay, most Americans grow up to be total fruitcakes. But I don't blame Santa for that.
I'm just saying, I don't see any connection between developing the imagination and being told Santa Claus exists.
But if there were a Santa Claus, I'd like to imagine him as someone just like Valentine Davies' character: kind, impatient, humorous, animal-loving, imperious, and compassionate.
December 29, 2016
This is the most charming story about Santa that I know of. Reading Miracle on 34th Street will put you in a Christmas mood like no other -- I know it did for me!
The book closely follows the old black and white film of the same name, and the book also has a true vintage quality to it, making it seem timeless. It's enjoyable for any age, I believe.
Finally, I found a book that is worthy of rivaling A Christmas Carol of taking the title of "THE CHRISTMAS BOOK" (for me, anyways). It's a book that puts holiday warmth into your heart, and adds a dash of humor for good measure.
It's a perfectly jolly read.
*Book completed for A Literary Christmas reading challenge at inthebookcase.blogspot.com.
The book closely follows the old black and white film of the same name, and the book also has a true vintage quality to it, making it seem timeless. It's enjoyable for any age, I believe.
Finally, I found a book that is worthy of rivaling A Christmas Carol of taking the title of "THE CHRISTMAS BOOK" (for me, anyways). It's a book that puts holiday warmth into your heart, and adds a dash of humor for good measure.
It's a perfectly jolly read.
*Book completed for A Literary Christmas reading challenge at inthebookcase.blogspot.com.
January 1, 2016
The 1940s Christmas classic moves from the big screen to between covers in this beautifully written story. Miracle on 34th Street reminds us "Christmas is not just a day, it's a state of mind" of wonder and joy. The perfect book to read with a steaming mug under your Christmas tree. For more on Miracle on 34th Street, we discussed it as a community towards the end of our November Book Club meeting.
January 4, 2025
A very enjoyable read and very similar to the charming 1947 classic film. It’s an ingenious little story and the book does a good job expanding on the idea of the spirit of Santa Claus and Christmas cheer where the movie tends to lack. My only complaint was the writing style; the text is fast paced and dialogue was sparse at times. It seemed to be a lot of narrative where there could have been dialogue or description. Other than that, a perfect little read for the holiday season.
January 27, 2019
MIRACLE ON 34th Street
Written by Valentine Davies
1947 (reissue: 2018); Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (136 pages)
Genre: holiday, Christmas, classic
(Review Not on Blog)
RATING: 4.5 stars
I wasn't expecting to like this book, as the movie is not one of my favourites, but I really enjoyed it! I liked the characters, plot and writing. It is a quick read that I will definitely read again.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
Written by Valentine Davies
1947 (reissue: 2018); Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (136 pages)
Genre: holiday, Christmas, classic
(Review Not on Blog)
RATING: 4.5 stars
I wasn't expecting to like this book, as the movie is not one of my favourites, but I really enjoyed it! I liked the characters, plot and writing. It is a quick read that I will definitely read again.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
Want to read
January 13, 2013I am currently reading a book called Miracle on 34th Street, by Valentine Davies. I really like it because it is a great book for this coming up holiday, Christmas! I like it because the author does a really good job describing the characters, for example, Kris Kringle. "If you searched every old folks' home in the country, you couldn't find anyone who looks more like Santa Clause," Davies mentions. "He was a living, breathing incarnation of the old gent-white beard, pink cheeks, fat tummy and all," Davies describes. His white whiskers made him look a good seventy-five, and yet when he laughed or walked you would swear he wasn't a day over fifty," Davies writes, that line is my favorite because it makes him sound old and young.
December 4, 2019
This is basically a novelization of the 1990's version of the movie. It was fine. It loses some of the magic that the movies have (the original one is the best). The audiobook is only 1 1/2 hours long so it made my commute go by quickly.
December 18, 2024
Fantastical, but a cute story! Especially for Christmas. 🙂
December 23, 2024
A nice short Christmas read! I was surprised to find that the movie came first then the book.
December 24, 2020
Well, that was disappointing.
Miracle on 34th Street is one of my favourite Christmas stories. I'm familiar with it through its two popular film versions (with the more recent one being my favourite). This picture book is based on the original novella and has been adapted into a picture-book format. Does it work? In a word: no.
There's far too much that's glossed over, leading to a choppy plot and flat characterization. Here, Susan is a cardboard little girl, without the lively skepticism that both Natalie Wood and Mara Wilson brought to the role. The narrative suffers from some questionable style choices, and some of the plot points don't make much sense when they're ripped out of context by the shortened format. (For example, Mr. Sawyer's actions against Kris don't make much sense, given that the old man was bringing customers into the store.)
The illustrations don't help bring the characters to life, either. While they're adequate, there's a flatness to everyone that makes the whole book look like it was cast with lifeless dolls.
This is one of those rare cases where the movie is better than the book. I would not recommend this particular picture book. Go check out one of the film versions instead, either the 1947 version with Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn or the 1994 version with Mara Wilson and Richard Attenborough. This story really does require more than 32 pages to do it justice.
Miracle on 34th Street is one of my favourite Christmas stories. I'm familiar with it through its two popular film versions (with the more recent one being my favourite). This picture book is based on the original novella and has been adapted into a picture-book format. Does it work? In a word: no.
There's far too much that's glossed over, leading to a choppy plot and flat characterization. Here, Susan is a cardboard little girl, without the lively skepticism that both Natalie Wood and Mara Wilson brought to the role. The narrative suffers from some questionable style choices, and some of the plot points don't make much sense when they're ripped out of context by the shortened format. (For example, Mr. Sawyer's actions against Kris don't make much sense, given that the old man was bringing customers into the store.)
The illustrations don't help bring the characters to life, either. While they're adequate, there's a flatness to everyone that makes the whole book look like it was cast with lifeless dolls.
This is one of those rare cases where the movie is better than the book. I would not recommend this particular picture book. Go check out one of the film versions instead, either the 1947 version with Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn or the 1994 version with Mara Wilson and Richard Attenborough. This story really does require more than 32 pages to do it justice.
December 11, 2009
I usually watch this movie every year, but really enjoyed reading it this year. The book was written after the movie, and it obviously follows the movie exactly. A very quick read.
I liked the historical background at the end about Valentine Davies life, and some info on the movie. It was interesting to read the Valentine Davies died at 55 "in the midst of a hearty laugh!"
My favorite quote from the book: 'Anyone could have faith when everything was fine. But real faith meant believing, rain or shine.'
I liked the historical background at the end about Valentine Davies life, and some info on the movie. It was interesting to read the Valentine Davies died at 55 "in the midst of a hearty laugh!"
My favorite quote from the book: 'Anyone could have faith when everything was fine. But real faith meant believing, rain or shine.'
June 28, 2009
This is my favorite Christmas movie and until I ran across this book in a used book store, I did not know there was a book version. It's a very quick read and mirrors the movie. Still loved it even though I knew the plot by heart! A true heartwarming classic. The introduction was very interesting as it discussed the author and how the book and movie came to be. Definitely recommend to any lover of the movie!
December 12, 2016
Even after watching both movie versions over & over again, the B&W version when I was still a child, I had never read the book.
I loved every little bit of it!!
I loved every little bit of it!!
December 14, 2023
I found this at a thrift store so why not? I grew up watching the 1947 version of the film which is the same year the book came out. I'm not sure if I have ever seen a newer version or not, but I don't think so. So Valentine Davies wrote an outline of this story and sold it to be made into a movie. A publishing house also heard about the story and movie and so they wanted Davies to write the book so it could come out with the movie. The book had to be rushed and it was a miracle it was finished in time. The book is cute and short. I definitely pictured the 1947 cast as I read it. This may be one where I like the movie better but I'm not sure yet. It has been a while since I have seen the movie.
December 18, 2024
I love the movie and had no idea it was based on a book! Then I read the author's note and it sounds like the author came up with the idea, it was made into a movie, and then he wrote the book. The movie is nearly identical to the book. This is probably one of the few instances where watching the movie without reading the book is totally fine. Since I love the story, I still rated this book 4 stars but it doesn't really add anything beyond the movie.
January 1, 2016
On a library visit just before Christmas, I checked out several books from the Christmas display. On Christmas Eve I decided to read Miracle on 34th Street to the kids, and we finished it on Christmas day. Previously I didn't even know there was a book of this story; I'd thought it was just a movie. I picked up the book because it's illustrated by Tomie DePaola. I remembered seeing illustrations by him for Oz, and I like good illustrations for children's books.
The short novel is written by Valentine Davies, who also wrote the screenplay for the movie. Davies published the novel the same year that the movie was released (1947). My kids are not familiar with the movie--and even I have only seen it once (and I can't even recall if it was the original black and white film or the 1994 color remake, which shows what small effect it had on me)--so the story in novel form was new and fresh. Now we're looking forward to finding a copy of the original film and watching it.
The story is pretty good, though not one of my favorite Christmas stories (probably largely because I lack the nostalgic feeling for it, since it wasn't a part of my growing-up years). DePaola's illustrations are good, though not especially memorable. My kids most enjoyed his pictures of the nasty psychiatrist Mr. Sawyer.
Update: Last night we watched the original 1947 film, and loved it (reviewed here: http://letterboxd.com/ethnosax/film/miracle-on-34th-street/). The book and the film each contain some scenes that aren't found in the other, which makes it a good pairing to read and watch both. I now believe that the film I saw years ago was the 1994 remake, which is terrible (after watching the original movie, we put in the disc with the newer version and watched a few selected scenes; it was painful). The original is wonderful.
February 9, 2014
This may be the first ever novelization of a film. It was written by the screenwriter and published just before the film was released. I loved the story - and as I read the film (the original) played in my mind - which wasn't so bad because it's one of my favorites of the season. "Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to" is the famous quote from the story/film.
November 19, 2016
What an awesome way to start off the holiday season!! There were, of course, no surprises in this book as I've seen the movie several times, but what a joy to read. This book will have to be a tradition at my house around Christmas to be followed by the movie of course. Highly recommend.
December 8, 2023
This is the children's storybook edition of Miracle on 34th Street. Kris Kringle claims he's Santa, but not everyone is a believer, and his claim is being tested in the courtroom. Based on the movie of the same name, this story is a cute story about the magic of Christmas.
December 27, 2016
LOVE LOVE LOVE! Brings back the magic of Christmas.
December 25, 2024
“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to,” he replied. “And you’ve just got too much common sense.”
I hate novelizations! I will watch a movie based on a book but still think the book’s better. But I will never read a book based upon a movie. Ironic isn’t it? But this novelization actually surprised me and I loved it!
It tells the story of a Mr. Kris Kringle, who lives in a senior home near New York City. But the odd thing is, Mr. Kringle actually believes he is Santa Claus! Having to find a new home, Kringle calls up a zookeeper friend who works closely with the park’s reindeer.
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, Kringle is called upon to play Saint Nick in the parade, after the old actor was unceremoniously removed for being drunk on the job. Kringle does so well he is offered a job at the New York Macy’s where he starts to revolutionize the shopping season. But not everyone is too happy that the old man thinks he’s the real Santa Claus.
A man named Sawyer wants Mr. Kringle removed, even going as far as calling a psych ward. But to be free to be Santa Claus, Kringle will have to rely on a lawyer to prove his sanity to the New York Court system.
Written by the same film writer as the movie, and released harmoniously with the film’s release date, there is no one other than Valentine Davies who could better write this story!
If Santa was a real person, (you know, other than St. Nicholas of Myra), Mr. Kringle would be the only one to fulfill that very tall order.
I hate novelizations! I will watch a movie based on a book but still think the book’s better. But I will never read a book based upon a movie. Ironic isn’t it? But this novelization actually surprised me and I loved it!
It tells the story of a Mr. Kris Kringle, who lives in a senior home near New York City. But the odd thing is, Mr. Kringle actually believes he is Santa Claus! Having to find a new home, Kringle calls up a zookeeper friend who works closely with the park’s reindeer.
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, Kringle is called upon to play Saint Nick in the parade, after the old actor was unceremoniously removed for being drunk on the job. Kringle does so well he is offered a job at the New York Macy’s where he starts to revolutionize the shopping season. But not everyone is too happy that the old man thinks he’s the real Santa Claus.
A man named Sawyer wants Mr. Kringle removed, even going as far as calling a psych ward. But to be free to be Santa Claus, Kringle will have to rely on a lawyer to prove his sanity to the New York Court system.
Written by the same film writer as the movie, and released harmoniously with the film’s release date, there is no one other than Valentine Davies who could better write this story!
If Santa was a real person, (you know, other than St. Nicholas of Myra), Mr. Kringle would be the only one to fulfill that very tall order.
December 11, 2023
Based on the movie of the same name, Valentine Davies' Miracle on 34th Street asks the question, "Is Santa Claus real?" Kris Kringle is a delightfully jolly old man who garners a job playing Santa Claus at R. M. Macy's store in New York. Except, Kringle isn't acting...he's the real Santa, and it takes all those who believe in him to convince some smarmy corporate heads as to his authenticity, in court.
This is a Christmas classic that reminds us of the true spirit of the holidays.
This is a Christmas classic that reminds us of the true spirit of the holidays.
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