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Latin Version of Classic ‘Yes, Virginia’ Essay Rekindles Christmas Spirit
Joins Latin Versions of Dr. Seuss Titles

(ARA) — Every holiday season, curious children sidle up to their parents with a look of youthful concern and ask the age-old question, “Is there a Santa Claus?”—fearful that the wrong answer might bring an end to tree decorating, present giving, or leaving cookies by the fireplace.

More than 100 years ago, a very real little girl wrote to her local newspaper because she was plagued by this same doubt.

“Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus,” wrote 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon. “Papa says, ‘If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.’ Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?”

A century later, the words of the editor who responded still rekindle the Christmas spirit in even the most world-weary adults. “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist… and they give to your life its highest beauty and joy,” wrote Francis P. Church, editor of *The New York Sun*, in 1897.

“No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives, and lives forever. A thousand years from now, nay ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood,” Church concluded.

Now these classic words have been preserved in the classic language—Latin—for scholars and students to enjoy. *Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus… in Latin!* from Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers features a Latin translation by Walter Sauer and Hermann Wiegand, full-color illustrations by Matthias Kringe, same-page English-Latin text, a Latin-English glossary, and Christmas Memories journal pages. The book is available at Borders and Barnes & Noble stores nationwide, along with Latin editions of Dr. Seuss classics *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* and *The Cat in the Hat*.

These books are part of Bolchazy-Carducci’s expanding series supporting the growing interest in Latin study. Research shows that studying Latin improves students’ problem-solving abilities, vocabulary, and college entrance exam scores. One study found that sixth-grade students who studied Latin 30 minutes a day for five months advanced nine months in math problem-solving skills.

Another study showed fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders who studied Latin 15–20 minutes a day for a year performed a full year higher on vocabulary tests than students who had not. And high school students who study Latin consistently score higher on the verbal portion of the SAT than those who study other languages—or none at all.

Bolchazy-Carducci provides numerous resources for Latin learners and teachers: textbooks, CDs with recorded pronunciation, newsletters, and specialty books including *Grinchus*, *Cattus Petasatus*, and the new Latin *Yes, Virginia* translation.

This edition offers new Latin students the chance to study Church’s classic essay, and gives former students a way to revive skills they thought forgotten. For any reader, the Latin *Yes, Virginia* offers a chance to pause from the “information age” and reflect on the value of wonder—expressed in Church’s reminder that “The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.”

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: A free preview copy of *Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus… in Latin!* is available by visiting www.bolchazy.com or by calling (847) 526-4344.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.aracontent.com, e-mail: info@aracontent.com