When you think of Christmas, it is so much more than giving gifts and unwrapping presents. While it may have different meaning for people these days, it is a season brimming with joy, togetherness, goodwill to all and stories that warm the heart. As December draws in and the festive season draws ever nearer, I embraced the holiday spirit by diving into a Christmas-themed read. Rather than pulling a timeless Christmas classic off the bookshelf, books like A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Snowman by Raymond Briggs or Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien, I went for something a bit more contemporary – The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling. Surprisingly, this was my first encounter with Rowling’s work, having never read Harry Potter or seen the films. That meant I could approach this story with fresh eyes, judging it solely on its own merits. And it’s an imaginative festive tale of love, loss and magical adventure.
The Christmas Pig is J.K. Rowling’s third standalone novel since concluding the Harry Potter series (the other two being The Casual Vacany and The Ickabog), and it offers a completely different kind of magic. This story centres around Jack, a young boy who loses his most treasured companion – a well-worn, bean-filled soft toy named Dur Pig (or DP for short). DP isn’t just an old and bedraggled stuffed toy; he’s Jack’s beloved confidant, comforter and his very best friend. This shabby well-loved pig represents countless memories and shared adventures, the embodiment of everything that Jack considers safe and beloved in his small world – and smells of his mum’s familiar perfume.
When DP goes missing (again), Jack is devastated. Although he receives a replacement, a shiny new Christmas Pig, it simply doesn’t measure up. But as Christmas is a time of miracles, Jack soon finds himself swept off into an extraordinary journey to find DP. Aided by the Christmas Pig and a wonderful cast of animated lost items known as the Things. Jack ventures from the Land of the Living into the surreal Land of the Lost – a realm where all those items we misplace go to live. There, he navigates the strange cities while trying to evade the terrifying Loser, a sinister figure who steals, hoards and destroys human belongings.
Overall, J. K. Rowling’s The Christmas Pig is a charming and heart-warming Christmas-themed story. It is packed with magic, adventure and some beautiful insights into a child’s imagination. Young readers, aged 8+, will not be able to stop themselves from turning just one more page to follow Jack and the Christmas Pig’s adventure through the cities of a magical land.
The Christmas Pig allows imagination to run riot in a whimsical world, where everything from forks and earrings to emotions like happiness and ambition take on lives of their own. The Land of the Lost is vividly constructed and the enchanting illustrations, by Jim Field, bring its cities and characters to life with stunning detail. His artwork adds depth and charm, helping readers visualise the magical settings and enhancing the emotional resonance of the story.
The Christmas Pig starts its life as a simple tale of a missing beloved stuffed toy and the quest to find it (something that every parent can relate to), it quickly evolves into a story with a lot more depth. But as you progress through the pages, it starts to take on a new life and explores themes of love, grief, resilience and the complexities of family relationships while gently touching on how children process change and loss, all while maintaining a sense of wonder and Christmas adventure. One of my favourite moments in this delightful book, a small snippet, is when the 2-year-old Jack believes that “recycling” involves riding a bike – it may be a small glimpse into the innocence of childhood but is very poignant in how a child’s mind sees the world.
This book is ideal for readers aged 8+, though adult readers will find plenty to appreciate too. The story expertly balances humour and heartache with a gentle ease, creating a story that’s not only magically entertaining but rich in emotion. Although some scenes may be a little intense for the youngest of readers, the overall tone is hopeful and uplifting.
For me, I loved reading The Christmas Pig. It is a beautifully told festive story that blends fantasy with real-world emotions. It’s a festive read that will resonate with anyone who’s ever loved and lost something dear. It’s packed with some really imaginative characters, sadness and humour that transforms a book that starts off as a family drama into a magically surreal enthralling fairy-tale that readers will devour.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £20 (Hardback) / £10.99 (Paperback / £3.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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