L. Frank Baum and Mary Cowles Clark collaborated on the 1902 children's novel The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World, discovers Santa Claus while he is a little child in the Forest of Burzee. As an adult, he is unable to live in Burzee, so he moves to the adjacent Laughing Valley of Hohaho. To avoid mentioning Necile to the kids, he creates a clay figurine that looks a lot like Necile and calls it a "dolly." Two deer named Glossie and Flossie help him by pulling his toy-filled sleigh. The gifts that Claus is giving the kids are stolen by the Awgwas, malevolent creatures with the ability to become invisible because the toys keep the kids from misbehaving. Claus gains the label "Santa" as he keeps providing gifts. As Santa Claus approaches the end of his life, the Immortals decide to bestow immortality on him. After considerable discussion, he receives immortality just as the Spirit of Death approaches him. Four special deputies are assigned to Santa Claus: Wisk the Fairy, Peter the Knook, Kilter the Pixie, and Nuter the Ryl.
Lyman Frank Baum was an American writer best known for his children's books, especially The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels. He wrote 14 novels in the Oz series, plus 41 other novels, 83 short stories, above 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. He made many attempts to lead his works to the stage and screen; the 1939 adaptation of the first Oz book became a milestone of 20th-century cinema. Baum was born on 15 May 1856, near Syracuse, New York. His father, Benjamin, was a rich oil businessman, and young Frank developed in comfort. As a young child Frank was teached at home with his kins, but at the age of 12 he was sent to study at Peekskill Military Academy. He followed a variety of careers varying from acting to newspaper reporting to theatrical management to writing plays. Baum married Maud Gage, daughter of Matilda Joslyn Gage, a famous women's suffrage campaigner. His famous works are Mother Goose, Father Goose, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, The Master Key, etc. He made and headed The Oz Film Manufacturing Company in 1914. Baum expired on 6 May 1919 and was buried in Glendale, California.
