A white-bearded gentleman who appears at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade fills in for an unfit Santa Claus-and is asked to become the store's resident Santa. This Kris Kringle believes he is Santa, as do children from all over the city, and reindeer at the zoo nearby. A few skeptical souls try to have him declared insane, but miraculously, the State of New York, with the help of the U.S. Postal Service, come to the gent's rescue by declaring that he is indeed Santa Claus. Since its first publication in 1947, this tale has been treasured by generations of believers, making this Academy Award-winning story part of holiday traditions all across America. This facsimile edition faithfully re-creates the first hardcover publication, inviting new families or readers to celebrate both the story and the charm of the original design. A brief historical note, new in this edition, details the simultaneous development of the book and film. AUTHOR VALENTINE DAVIES (1905-1961) was a prominent Hollywood screenwriter. He won the 1947 Academy Award for Best Original Story for Miracle on 34th Street. Davies served as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was a member of the Writers Guild of America, which now presents the Valentine Davies Award as one of its highest honors. REVIEWS A good-hearted story about an enduring Christmas vision that never fails to fill the most jaded child with wonder. Newsweek AGES 8-12 GRADES 3-7