Age Range: 8 +
A Boy Called Christmas was under my Christmas tree last year and I loved the story so much that I read the whole book on Christmas Day. I’ve just read it with my daughter and she was hooked too. It’s a wonderful festive read in which hope, kindness and the joy of giving triumph over poverty and greed.
The blurb on the back of the book states ‘You are about to read the true story of FATHER CHRISTMAS’.
The Story: Eleven year old Nikolas is left at home in Finland with mean Aunt Carlotta while his father, Joel, goes off to seek proof that elves exist. After several months Nikolas escapes from his aunt and heads north to look for his father. On the way he rescues an injured reindeer, Blitzen, and eventually they find Elfhelm, the elf village. But not all of the elves welcome him and Nikolas discovers that a group of humans has kidnapped one of their elves, Little Kip. Happiness and frivolity have been suspended so Nikolas decides to go and look for Little Kip in the hope that he can bring joy back to Elfhelm…
When Nikolas arrives in Elfhelm it isn’t how Joel described it in bedtime stories. There are deep divisions between the elves and many are unhappy. Throughout the book Nikolas is instrumental in helping the elves restore order and happiness to their village as well as discovering how he can make himself happy. His adventures, some magical, some more tragic, keep you turning the pages and, despite the poverty and desperation in his situation, also contain humour. My daughter thinks The Truth Pixie is hilarious (she always tells the truth but often regrets what she said!) and she found it funny that some of the hunters didn’t know what a toilet was!
A Boy Called Christmas is a magical, funny, festive adventure which tells the story of how Father Christmas came into being. We are introduced to the origins of his sleigh, how he was given the name Father Christmas, how reindeer fly and why he wears a red hat. The chapter telling us how and why the very first stocking was used leaves us with a warm fuzzy feeling and the reason behind the invention of Christmas crackers makes us laugh. I loved watching my daughter’s face light up when she recognised the reindeer’ names and made connections with the other Christmas traditions that we keep.
Chris Mould’s black and white illustrations are a wonderful complement to the story. His picture of Sebastian the troll makes us laugh but our favourite is ‘How to Spickle’ (the elves do a particular type of dance called spickle dancing). We also love the newspaper front pages which report on the development of Father Christmas’ plans and Aunt Carlotta’s face when Blitzen flies over her is priceless!
A Boy Called Christmas is the perfect read for this time of year. However, its promotion of kindness, the joy of giving and the importance of having hope is a message that is not just relevant to Christmas. Nikolas’ uplifting story shows that anything is possible when you have determination, hope and a little bit of magic…
‘An impossibility is just a possibility you don’t understand yet’
Author: Matt Haig / Illustrator: Chris Mould
I would really love to find a copy of Matt Haig and Chris Mould’s new book, The Girl Who Saved Christmas, under my Christmas tree this year 🙂
Wow, this sounds like really in depth book about Christmas…great review!
Thanks Linda. It’s fiction with an extra sprinkling of Christmas magic 🙂
Aaaaa I really want to read this book/get it for the children. Thanks for sharing with #ReadWithMe
You should! It’s a great book to read now, before Christmas actually arrives 🙂
Oh this looks fun. I wonder if my son would like it, even though he’s decided not to believe anymore.
I think that even if you don’t believe any more it’s still a lovely story. My daughter was wavering but now she firmly believes in Christmas magic again 🙂
Aww, this sounds like a great book! I think my son would enjoy this book, especially at Christmas time, hehe xx #ReadWithMe
I think that you would enjoy it too Sarah 🙂
I love the sound of this! My kids will claim they are too old for it, so I might just read it myself!
It’s magical for adults too. Maybe if you start reading it will encourage your children to read it too 🙂
Sounds lovely with all the Christmas magic #readwithme
It is! We believe in Christmas Magic here 🙂
Sounds a great story. And that cover is gorgeous.
#readwithme
I think that the cover is really eye catching 🙂
Great summary! I loved this book when I read it last Christmas but I still haven’t picked up the Girl That Saved Christmas yet! #readwithme
I really hope that I can read The Girl That Saved Christmas on Christmas Day this year 🙂 I hope you enjoy it when you read it too!
I think I will have to look out for this book it does sound great. #readwithme
I hope you enjoy it when you find it 🙂
I’ve heard a lot about this book, it sounds like a lovely one to share with your children #readwithme
It’s a great read, perfect for this time of year 🙂
Sounds a fabulous book – a little bit old for my 5 year old (6.5 year reading age) but think I’ll pop it on my Amazon wishlist for next year. Thanks for sharing x #TriedTested
I wasn’t sure whether my eight year old would like it but she loved it! Maybe next year will work for you 🙂
This sounds lovely, a gorgeous festive read.
It’s brilliant, a real classic that your children will enjoy in a few years too 🙂