Christmas! In June? Yes.
A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig offers a new spin on Christmas you won’t want to miss.
Here’s the summary:
Nikolas, the boy who would one day be known as Santa Claus, goes on a life-changing quest to the North Pole.
That summary doesn’t especially do the book justice.
The epigraph prefacing the book is more fitting:
“Impossible. —An old elf swearword.” (a grumpy looking elf is drawn alongside)
What I like about this book:
- Young Nikolas has a terrible life of poverty, but his cheerful self doesn’t know it.
- Nikolas has only 2 things that have been given to him in his eleven years: a wooden sleigh built by his father, and a turnip doll made by his mother before she died. Both are taken from him in the first 20 pages, setting him up with us on his side forever.
- Nikolas has a friend: a mouse named Miika. They can’t talk to one another, but they accompany each other nonetheless.
- While Nikolas’ circumstances are pitiful, he is not. He is bright, brave, loyal, and he believes in elves and magic.
- The origin of Santa’s red hat. (Heartfelt origin!)
- Finland being the center of this book’s world, with Norway described as being populated by only seven or eight people
- How reindeer come to be able to fly. (Creative!)
- The quirky, wonderful, black and white illustrations by Chris Mould
- Nikolas is saved by the goodness inside him.
The last one is the best and sweetest.
A New Spin On Christmas:
“Sweet” is a good descriptor for this tale, in the best of ways. It pulls at one’s heartstrings, entertains, makes you laugh, makes you cry, and is bound to affect the way you feel about Christmas.
That’s pretty powerful for a little book written for kids! Who says books can’t change the world???
Hurry on down to your library and check out A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig! It’s a quick and very satisfying read.
Happy Reading!