Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus illustrated by Cindy Szekeres

In 1897, a child named Virginia O'Hanlon wrote in to the New York Sun to ask if there truly was a Santa Claus. Sun writer Francis Pharcellus Church wrote an Editor's Letter so charming that it sparked a cultural moment! (Library of Congress, https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-yes-virginia). It has been adapted into several picture books and even a song. You can read the full response on the Library of Congress website.

"Is There a Santa Claus?" September 21, 1897. The Sun (New York, NY), Image 6. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers.

Depicting Virginia as an adorable orange kitten, Cindy Szekeres' adaptation of the famous piece features adorable cats getting up to Christmas festivities. Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus is a tiny jacketed hardcover picture book. Much of Szekeres' work is not listed on Edelweiss (the publishing world's online catalogue), but according to Goodreads, this book was first published October 1, 1997 by the Cartwheel Books imprint of Scholastic.

The New York Sun's response to Virginia has been adapted into many a picture book, but Szekeres' hand-drawn, anthropomorphic illustrations make this adaptation special. The book itself feels like a Christmas card, with the cover bordered by holly. The size of the book is similar to today's board book, but the jacket and pages would likely be ripped by a toddler's unsteady hands. It's a sweet, giftable Christmas book featuring a real treat of an Editor's Letter and illustrations perfect for fans of Beatrix Potter or Max and Ruby (2002).

Book Info

• Title: Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus

• Publisher: Cartwheel Books/Scholastic

• ISBN: 9780590691963

• Author: Francis Pharcellus Church for New York Sun

• Illustrator: Cyndy Szekeres

• Pub date: Oct 1997

• Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2477419.Cyndy_Szekeres_Yes_Virginia_There_Is_a_Santa_Claus?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=sEEmqnIiFk&rank=3