A delightful new book, “Diary of a Mall Santa,” is available through amazon.com as a Kindle product.  The book was authored by Stewart Scott, a former Kirkwood resident, graduate of Kirkwood High School, and the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

“Three years ago,” Scott said, “I was asked to be Santa Claus for a regional shopping mall outside of Chicago.  I jumped at the chance.  From my very first visitors, I knew the experience would yield countless stories.”

Some stories are tender and heartwarming, some are rib-splitting funny, some are a little caustic and irreverent, and a few are heartbreaking.  But all are true, and told firsthand by Santa himself.

One reviewer said, “I recently finished reading ‘Diary of a Mall Santa’ -- delightful! It brought to mind experiences of watching my own children visit Santa and the joy and wonder of seeing Christmas through a child's eyes. This Santa is truly a listener who respects children -- his stories remind me of the old Art Linkletter TV show, ‘Kids Say the Darnedest Things.’ Their openness can be humorous, poignant, most of all so honest. Thanks, Santa, great read! Keep listening and caring.”  Jean Gabriel.

Christmas might be months away, but these stories are entertaining all year long.

Scott is a retired advertising agency executive, and father of five.