Santa Claus appears throughout popular culture, captivating the imaginations and shaping the wishes of millions of children across the world - but he only came into focus as a social and cultural icon relatively recently, in the nineteenth century. This landmark anthology, the first of its kind, traces his evolution. For the first time, it brings together the most influential and pivotal portraits of Santa Claus, revealing how a simple gift-giver developed into one of the most recognised global figures. Through its groundbreaking exploration of stories, poems, and images, it shines a light on the cultivation of Santa as both a vitally important literary figure and a powerful cultural touchstone who stands at the heart of our seasonal celebrations. "Searching for Santa is both a lovely gift book for serious Santa fans and an important resource for anyone studying the history of American children's literature." Linda Raedisch, author of The Old Magic of Christmas.