The Christmas season is more than just a time for present giving – it’s a time of winter wonder and whimsy. When it comes to those dark, cold and wet months, there is just something extremely magical about curling up on the sofa with a good book during the festive season, especially for young readers. While Christmas stories delight readers with their charming tales, they also have a very unique power, blending warmth, wonder and whimsy to create heart-warming tales of kindness, hope and the joy of giving. Featuring tales of fantastical festive frolics & mischief and heartwarming journeys of self-discovery, these snow-covered adventures get young readers engaging with the Christmas season and help young page turners connect with the true spirit of Christmas in ways that go above & beyond tinsel, toys and decorated trees. Stories with a Christmas themes are memorable, meaningful and full of magic. And few books capture that better than A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig.
A Boy Called Christmas is the first book in a trilogy that reimagines the legend of Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas or even Kris Kringle) and has a a bold and imaginative twist. This isn’t your average adventurous tale involving that world-famous jolly present giver in a red suit – it’s a richly, multi-layered adventure that dives deep into the roots of generosity, belief and resilience.
The story follows 11-year-old Nikolas, who is nicknamed Christmas as he was born on Christmas Day. He lives in a tiny hut in Finland with his father, a struggling woodcutter and life is far from easy – his mother died tragically after an altercation with a bear and a well, his father can barely make ends meet and his only companions are a loyal mouse named Miika and a turnip doll. Yet Nikolas remains happy, hopeful, curious and kind-hearted.
When his father is offered a new job, away from home for a few months, Nickolas is left in the car of his very mean aunt. But when his father disappears on the mysterious expedition to find the mythical village of Elfhelm, Nikolas sets off on a perilous journey to the far north to try and find him. What follows is a tale filled with snowy landscapes, magical creatures and unexpected friendships. Along the way, Nikolas encounters elves, flying reindeer, truth pixies and even trolls – some friendly, some absolutely not.
Overall, I found A Boy Called Christmas to be a fun Christmas adventure. I really enjoyed it and so will young readers. It is lots of fun, although it can be quite dark at times with themes of death, kidnapping, murderous trolls, head exploding pixies and imprisonment. And that’s what makes it stand above other Christmas tales – the tone. Matth Haig doesn’t shy away from difficult themes such as loss, loneliness and injustice – but they are balanced with humour, heart and hope to create a playful and engaging read.
The storytelling hugs readers like warm mug of hot chocolate on a bitterly cold December day – it’s rich, satisfying and deliciously warm. Haig has woven a world where the impossible is possible, and the line between reality and magic is as thin as the ice on a frozen lake. It is a Christmas tale that perfectly blends folklore, fairytale and magic into a wintery wonderland that tightly grasps the imagination.
And then there is the accompanying artwork by illustrator Chris Mould. The pages are adorned with fun illustrations. They are more than drawings on on a page, they complement the wonderfully engaging text. The artwork is expressive and does a fantastic job of capturing the quirky magic of the world of Elfhelm and all of its inhabitants. With their energetic artwork, they help to bring the story to life with its visual storytelling. The illustrations are so much vivid fun that they would make even the grumpiest of the grumps, such as the Grinch or Scrooge, crack a smile.
Matt Haig’s A Boy Called Christmas is so more than just a festive read, it’s a wonderful heart-warming celebration of belief – belief in magic, in goodness and in the idea that even the smallest acts of kindness can change the world. It’s a story that encourages children to dream big and embrace the joy of giving.
A Boy Called Christmas is a brilliant addition to any festive reading list. It’s funny, poignant and packed with adventure. For me, I found it to be an excellent enchanting and exhalating adventure. It delves into the true spirit of Christmas, and even explains how Santa really gets around the whole world in one night and squeezes down all those small chimneys. Although it is a story that is tinged with tragedy and darkness along the way, it is ultimately a fun and happy read that is as awe-inspiring as the Northern Lights.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £12.99 (Hardback) / £7.99 (Paperback) / £4.99 (Kindle)
For more information, visit www.matthaig.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
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