Hello Friends!

Did you know that Santa is from Akron? Did you know that he wears a blue cloak?

I love Akron, history and Christmas, so the Akron Blue Santa picture book that has been on my heart for 20 years is finally becoming a reality.

In 2005, I was working at Lock 3 Park and learned that the first mass-produced toys for children (marbles) came from the American Marble & Toy Manufacturing Company in Akron, Ohio. Toys were now affordable for all children at only one penny a piece!

With the success of marbles came other mass-produced toys, including the first 3-dimensional figure of Santa known to exist... and he wears a BLUE cloak.

I have partnered with Akron's own illustrator Chuck Ayers of Funky Winkerbean and Crankshaft fame and he has brought this figure of Blue Santa, and Santa's friends to life. We are very excited to show this book to the world.

We are also grateful for the technical wizardry of Joe Baker as we are navigating the self-publishing world.

I am raising funds for production costs so that the children of Akron can learn this very interesting piece of their history.

Funds will go towards publishing the book. Every elementary school and Akron-Summit County Public Library branch will have a copy. Also, any children's program in Akron that would like one will also be given a book free of charge.

Funds will also go towards costumes and a float for the Welcome Santa Parade in downtown Akron in December.

We really appreciate all of you who are interested in supporting this creative and historical project.

Merry Christmas!

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Replica Blue Santa figurines available through Akron artist Michael Cohill.