Outskirts Press, INC.

Donald Calarco has been a “story teller” since an early age. When he was a pre-teen he would entertain his friends by gathering them in a circle and telling a story from start to finish, with no preparation and no outline. His stories came right off the top of his head and captivated his audiences. For that matter, they still do! After a very brief, yet interrupted career at the Second City Improv Club in Chicago, he began a business career. His business led him to writing a variety of outlines and scripts for business presentations and product introductions. Until his first granddaughter turned sixteen, he had never thought to put his stories in print. This first effort, "Tell me the truth! Is Santa for real?" was co-written by Calarco and his five year-old grand daughter, Gianna Marie. "It's a small book with a big story" says Calarco. "Written just as it happened!"



Gianna Marie was a happy, healthy five year old when her world was suddenly filled with doubt and despair. Happy to send her annual letter to Santa, when she heard some news that the whole Santa story was a fake, the deception was too much for her to handle. She became confused and withdrawn and felt that her parents had lied to her. When her grandfather stepped in to tell the truth about Santa, her spirit was not only renewed but at a very young age she gained tremendous insight into the true meaning of Christmas. At the date of publishing of this book, Gianna is a high school teenager in Advanced Honors classes. She has a great outlook on life and a firm plan for college and the future. Each year since she was not quite six years old, she has portrayed "Jingles the Elf" to share her Christmas Spirit with children of all ages. Her promise, made to Santa himself, was to continue a tradition that started as a healing process and will last a lifetime. Her co-authoring of this book, at the age of five, was a true inspiration. It is truly a big story in a small book. Remember...adults only!