The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is a 1902 childrens book, written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by Mary Cowles Clark.

Santa Claus, as a baby is found in the Forest of Burzee by Ak, Master Woodsman of the World, and placed in the care of the lioness, Shiegra. The Wood Nymph, Necile, breaks the law of the forest and takes the baby because she desires to raise a child of her own as mortals do, convincing Ak that since he made the law, he can allow an exception. Necile calls him Claus, meaning "little one" in the old Burzee language, but Queen Zurline gives him the more formal name Neclaus, "Neciles Little One" (According to a footnote "Nicholas" is an erroneous name based on common convention). He is educated by the immortals of the Forest, including:

* The Fairies who watch over humans
* The Wood Nymphs who watch over trees
* The Gnomes who watch over rocks
* The Knooks, who watch over animals
* Ryls who watch over flowers
* Sleep Fays who bring sleep to the world
* Light Elves
* Sound Imps
* Wind Demons
* Water Spirits.

Upon reaching young adulthood, Ak decides it is time for Claus to see how other mortals live. He sees war, brutality, poverty, child neglect and child abuse and is frustrated by mortals very existence. Ak encourages him not to shy away from the mortals, because he is one, and must learn to live among them, as he cannot reside in Burzee as an adult. He settles in the nearby Laughing Valley of Hohaho, where the immortals regularly visit and assist him, and Necile gives him a little cat named Blinky.