An interview in partnership* with Dr. David Charney and The Children’s Book Review.
In this enchanting interview, we sit down with Dr. David Charney, the mind behind the heartwarming children’s book, Once Upon a Time, Santa Had No Elves: Santa and His Missus Made All the Toys Themselves!
Dr. Charney shares his belief in the enduring spirit of Santa, embodying values crucial in the holiday season—kindness, selflessness, and warmth with loved ones. As we delve deeper, he emphasizes the importance of seeking help when needed, a poignant message woven into the story. In a world where exhaustion is all too familiar, Santa’s act of helping a stranger without expecting anything in return becomes a powerful reminder to prioritize kindness, even in the busiest of times.
The interview unveils Dr. Charney’s creative journey, from composing a song to collaborating with a talented music teacher and a chorus of children. The song and book are meant to complement each other, creating a harmonious blend of storytelling and melody.
Exploring the educational aspect, Dr. Charney reflects on the moral lessons within the story, drawing parallels to timeless tales like Androcles and the Lion. Parents and educators can utilize the book to impart essential values such as kindness, gratitude, and the unspoken sacrifices made by parents for their children.
For those feeling overwhelmed by the holiday season, Dr. Charney echoes Santa’s advice: take a break, regroup, and devise a thoughtful plan to seek the help needed. As for future projects, he teases the possibility of more books exploring Santa’s back story, promising further fun and delightful adventures.
Don’t miss out on the magic! Read on to unwrap the secrets behind Once Upon a Time, Santa Had No Elves: Santa and His Missus Made All the Toys Themselves! by Dr. David Charney.
Dr. Jen Harrison: Do you believe in Santa?
Dr. David Charney: I believe that Santa embodies many of the values that are important to remember in the holiday season: Kindness, valuing people, extending oneself to help others without calculating payback, being warm and loving with family members, friends, and neighbors. Whether or not Santa really exists does not matter if he remains a vibrant symbol of the values he stands for and represents.
Santa seems pretty exhausted in your story—do you think learning to seek help when needed is an important message in the story?
Yes, no one is inexhaustible. Everyone has to know their own limits and when to seek help from others, who often enough are actually glad to help. Definitely an important message of the story!
Even though he and Mrs. Claus are struggling, Santa still takes the time to help a stranger without expecting anything in return. Is this something you think readers should be thinking about more at this time of year?
Yes, this point of taking time to help others, even strangers, is an important value built into the holiday season.
If you would like readers to learn one thing from reading this story, what would it be?
Learn one thing? Be kind and helpful when you see a need, and don’t immediately think about what’s in it for you. There’s a Karma Principle at play: Do the right thing, and somehow the universe tends to notice this and tends to pay you back, sometimes in surprising ways.
I understand the book is also being set to music. What gave you the idea for this unusual approach?
Only after many years, having finally written the song did the idea of a book occur. I decided to start off with producing the book, but when it was done, I knew I had to turn my attention to the song. The book’s words became the exact lyrics of the song, which meant I had to compose a melody that fit the lyrics. It has become quite a project of its own to actually produce the song. I needed to recruit a music teacher, who, in turn, recruited the children. Megan Yingst was terrific as a teacher and conductor of a children’s chorus. We recorded the final version, and it’s been mixed, mastered, and videotaped as a lovely trailer. The song will be promoted separately and simultaneously with the book. They are meant to support each other.
How do you think parents and educators can use this book? What do you imagine when you picture it used in a classroom or home setting?
I have thought a lot about this because I believe there are a number of moral lessons contained within my story. In one respect, it echoes the classic story of Androcles and the Lion.
In ancient times, Androcles got on the wrong side of the King. He is cast out into the wilderness. He encounters a lion in distress. Instead of succumbing to fear, he approaches the lion and discovers the lion has a terribly painful thorn in its paw. He removes it, and the lion escapes. Later, poor Androcles is recaptured by the King’s forces. He is sentenced to be thrown into the local Amphitheatre to be attacked and eaten by lions. His fate seems sealed. Androcles is now prepared to meet his fate before the audience who came to see the spectacle. The lion is released into the killing ground. When the lion approaches Androcles, it pauses and instead of attacking and killing Androcles, it licks his face affectionately. Androcles is saved.
The moral: Do the kind thing. You never know how doing the kind thing may circle back to reward you with help when you need it most.
More subtle lessons: Do children know how hard parents work to raise them? Not really. Santa stands for all parents who do everything in their power to raise their children, no matter the sacrifices and exhaustion. In a subtle way, the story teaches children a beginning awareness of how much effort parents put into their childrearing efforts.
And Sig, the Elfen King, rescued by Santa, is quick to acknowledge his gratitude and has his turn to be extra helpful to his new friend.
And Santa’s Missus is loyal and steadfast in being Santa’s companion in their shared mission.
There are other moral lessons that Parents and Educators can address as they read the story to their children.
What advice do you have for readers who feel overwhelmed, like Santa? Or for readers who’d like to offer some help to others this holiday season?
Feeling overwhelmed? First thing, like Santa, take a break. Otherwise, you can’t think straight. Then come up with a thoughtful plan to get the help you need to manage your worst concerns.
Will you be writing any more books about Santa’s back story? What exciting projects are coming up next for you?
Yes, I do have other books in mind to extend this first Santa book into a series. The ideas are still in the early stages. They will also be fun!
About the Book
Once Upon a Time, Santa Had No Elves: Santa and His Missus Made All the Toys Themselves!
Written by Dr. David Charney
Illustrated by Blueberry Illustrations
Ages 4+ | 48 Pages
Publisher: Dr. David Charney (2023) | ISBN-13: 9798218309800
Publisher’s Book Summary: Every Christmas, Santa and his Missus, working all by themselves, were getting overwhelmed. Year after year, more and more toys had to be made on time for Christmas for all the world’s children. But how could they manage to keep up? Back then, there were no elves to help them.
How and why did the Elves choose to join up every Christmas with Santa and his Missus to meet their yearly challenge?
Find out the secret backstory of how and why the Elves became Santa’s reliable band of toy-making volunteers and helped save the day!
Brightly colored digital artwork brings the snowy North Pole setting and Santa’s cozy home and workshop to life, adding Christmas magic to every page.
The Children’s Book Review
Buy the Book
About the Author
Dr. David Charney is a psychiatrist. When he was in medical school, he first conceived his idea for a song based on reimagining the beloved holiday song’s chorus, “Noel! Noel!” He transformed it into “No elves! No elves!” What a promising start for a story! But Dr. Charney’s busy practice life kept him from moving past his initial idea for literally decades. One fine day, he finally decided, “Enough’s enough; I’ve got to write this song!” And it took him just one day; it almost wrote itself.
When he was finally finished, he realized he also wrote a children’s book! After a ton of work (try creating illustrations—even with help— when you’re not an artist), the book is available now as an E-Book and as a Paperback from Amazon. Shortly, it will be available as a Hardback version. And what about the song? It was produced at a professional recording studio with a small Children’s’ Chorus and will be accessible from the Author’s Website, which is accessible from the book using a QR code. The book and song are finally out together! Hope you and your kids enjoy!
For more information, visit https://drcharneysantaelves.com/.
This interview—Dr. David Charney Talks About Once Upon a Time, Santa Had No Elves—was conducted between Dr. David Charney and Dr. Jen Harrison.
