A Defective Santa Claus, describes one of the most beloved traditions of the modern Christmas celebration. The book reminds us of the joy children take in the holiday and the sometimes loving extremes to which parents go to fulfil that anticipation and wonder of Christmas in their children's lives. The book is a poem that tells the tale of children's anticipation of a Christmas Eve visit from Santa Claus "stoked all day long by stories from a favourite uncle", which is the children's father who had conveniently gone into town that day. The visit from Santa Claus turns into a comic-opera when Santa backs into a lighted candle on the tree, setting his suit on fire and is then pushed out into the snow to damp the flames. When this happens the children are quickly hustled off to bed so the now the defective Santa Claus can be properly nursed, so Santa can continue his journey back to the north pole! James Whitcomb Riley was born in Greenfield, Indiana in 1853. He spent several years as an itinerant sign-painter, actor and musician. During this experience he had opportunities to revise plays and compose songs, and was brought into close touch with the rural folk of Indiana, becoming familiar with their life and speech. He wrote, short stories and sketches, some of unusual merit, but is known almost exclusively as a poet. His materials are the homely incidents and aspects of village and country life.