Robot Santa: The Further Adventures of Santa’s Twin

Book title: Robot Santa: The Further Adventures of Santa’s Twin
Author: Dean Koontz
Illustrator: Phil Parks
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Text and Illustrations copyright @ 2004
Pages: 66
Cost at time of publication: US $ 20.89/ $31.89 Canada
ISBN: 0-06-050944-9
Reviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets
Jazma Online

Dean Koontz wrote Santa’s Twin and sequel in response to countless requests asking for an ending to an unfinished poem about Santa’s brother began in the novel Mr. Murder. Santa’s Twin sold like sugarplums when it was published in 1996. This also sparked Robot Santa which was published in 2004. The book has art liker first book from artist Phil Parks. It again is told in poem form. I found story very entertaining.

Bob again returns to cause problems. I liked how Bob attempted to do good but failed miserably. I liked idea of having gorilla named Keith drive sleigh made by Santa Bob. The sleigh even had mechanical rein deer. Again, we are shown Charlotte and Emily. They are now one year older than in Santa’s Twin story. Bob had improved much since last Christmas. The girls had foiled Santa’s Bob’s attempt to ruin Christmas from the year before. Bob apologized not once but twice last year to Santa for attempting to ruin previous year holiday. He had been jealous, envious, and rude, not much in the Christmas mood. When caught in act of doing bad Christmas deeds, Bob did repent and all of his meanness just went. The idea to make robot Santa seemed innocent for Santa Bob. He was attempting to lessen his brother Santa Claus from incredible daunting task of delivering gifts to all the children of Earth. He just was not a master creative person when constructing robot Santa.

I also like how got to the two girls dog named Woofer. The dog was mentioned in first book. When Santa Bob was bad last year he first made Woofer to be a gift –wrapped brown cow. Santa Claus convinced Bob to change cow into dog. The dog Woofer could sense with his instincts that Santa Bob was coming back to cause Charlotte and Emily’s family trouble. I quote: Woofer suspects Bob Claus will be back, with new surprises in his red sack. He’s heard the stories that the sisters weave of the wild events of past Christmas Eve.

They say that Bob is better these days, that he has reformed his mischievous ways. But a good guard dog, though never malicious, is without exception always suspicious.

From time to time to the window he goes, and stands to look out on his tippy toes. He studies the night in the swirl of snow, listening to the wind huff, whistle, and blow.

As a bedtime treat, he received some sorbet, lemon and lime – a fine end to the day. If Woofer stops the nefarious Bob, he’ll get more sorbet, maybe corn on the cob. At the night window he is heard to mutter, “Maybe I’ll get some smooth peanut butter.”

I found rest of story very refreshing and creative. I enjoyed finding out where Ms. Claus goes for Christmas vacation. I like how Jack Frost was wrote into story. I also liked seeing Santa police force were something akin to North Pole community.

I am not sure at some point will be third book in Santa’s Twin series. The story left open possibility for another sequel for another story in The Further Adventures of Santa’s Twin.

I got my copy of Robot Santa The Further Adventures of Santa’s Twin through inter-library loan service. I suppose copies are for sale at many locations on internet.

Phil Parks did another excellent job doing art for Robot Santa.

Phil Parks is a talented illustrator of Santa’s Twin, The Paper Doorway, and Every Day’s a Holiday, among other books by Dean Koontz. He has also created distinctive illustrations for limited edition books, magazines, and private commissions.

I feel Santa’s Twin and Robot Santa are children’s stories. They are also entertaining for all ages. I hope someday even are made into some sort of cartoon.

Here is what inner book flap says about Robot Santa.

Robots and Reindeer and Bob!! Oh, My!

Dean Koontz kicks the holiday season into high gear with a wildly inventive and wickedly funny sequel to his perennial Christmas best seller Santa’s Twin.

The Claus family’s bad seed, Bob, is back and dashing out a second helping of holiday havoc and headaches for his brother, Santa.

Exactly a year has passed since Bob kidnapped Santa and visited Charlotte and family in his stead, bearing gifts of mud pies, cat poop, and broccoli. After his defeat at the hands of the two brave sisters, Bob has worked hard to redeem himself in Santa’s eyes. Unfortunately Bob’s spare time has been spent secretly building a robot Santa Claus. Super Santa One was designed to help Santa halve his delivery time, but Bob has left a screw loose on his creation (several screws, actually), and this Christmas Eve, a badly malfunctioning Santa Claus is coming to town.



Allen Klingelhoets

Happy Holidays