Review
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Title: Santa’s Christmas Dream
Author: Valeriano Ugolini
Publisher: OperaValens Press
Genre: Light fantasy
Year Published:2013
Number of Pages: 68
Binding: Soft Bound
ISBN-10: 099100180X
ISBN-13: 978-0991001804
Price: $9.99
Reviewed by Angela Graham for the Association for Mormon Letters
“Santa’s Christmas Dream,” with its festive cover, would look beautiful under any Christmas tree or in a stocking. It is a sweet story of Santa Claus dreaming of life beyond the veil. In the dream, he encounters GabriEL, MichaEL, MariAH and the Savior, and is instructed in sacred truths about selflessness and progress. As Santa grieves at the inequality on earth—where some have nothing, Yeshua tells him that all, even the very poor, have hope, which is among the most precious gifts.
The book includes beautiful sketches of the characters, presumably done by the author.
“Santa’s Christmas Dream” presents an uplifting story, appropriate for young to middle-grade readers. It is lamentable that there are many errors in punctuation and grammar throughout the book, though. One of the most common mistakes first-time writers make in this age of easy publication is in not hiring an editor before going to press.
Despite these flaws, however, the story will inspire good discussion and thoughtful reconsideration of the meaning of Christmas. Perhaps even more important is the book’s brevity. It would make a fine gift for any reader who is overwhelmed by long books. The illustrations are lovely and the concepts compelling.