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amurray914's review against another edition
4.0
A charming and wonderful book, not only a mere collection of letters from Father Christmas to [a:J.R.R. Tolkien|656983|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1434625177p2/656983.jpg]'s kids, but reproducing copies of the original artwork and letters, calligraphic art in themselves. The letters, spanning a time period of 23 years from 1920 to 1943, speaks to Tolkien's dedication and involvement in his kids development.
Each letter gets progressively darker as time goes on, with Father Christmas addressing fewer Tolkien's kids as they get older, the last melancholic letter addressed to Priscilla alone, the youngest. The mood reflects the growing austerity of the war years in Britain, symbolized by the goblin threat in the North Pole, and experienced by Tolkien and his kids alike.
A fun book to read with your kids at any time of the year, but even better while waiting for Santa!
Each letter gets progressively darker as time goes on, with Father Christmas addressing fewer Tolkien's kids as they get older, the last melancholic letter addressed to Priscilla alone, the youngest. The mood reflects the growing austerity of the war years in Britain, symbolized by the goblin threat in the North Pole, and experienced by Tolkien and his kids alike.
A fun book to read with your kids at any time of the year, but even better while waiting for Santa!
mhmissey's review against another edition
Lovely little book that shows how a father kept the dreams alive
missbookiverse's review against another edition
3.0
[3.5 stars]
This is a collection of very sweet and incredibly elaborate letters that Tolkien wrote in the role of Father Christmas (and friends) to his four children over the course of several years. My edition has many scans of the original letters, which showcases the marvel of Tolkien's typography and drawings. Next to that, I especially enjoyed the puns and the comments by North Polar Bear and it felt disconcerting how towards the end the tone of the letters changed due to WWII. Also, I must admit that the letters get a bit repetitive after a while, but I guess you'd feel differently about it if you only received one each year.
This is a collection of very sweet and incredibly elaborate letters that Tolkien wrote in the role of Father Christmas (and friends) to his four children over the course of several years. My edition has many scans of the original letters, which showcases the marvel of Tolkien's typography and drawings. Next to that, I especially enjoyed the puns and the comments by North Polar Bear and it felt disconcerting how towards the end the tone of the letters changed due to WWII. Also, I must admit that the letters get a bit repetitive after a while, but I guess you'd feel differently about it if you only received one each year.
pictrufa's review against another edition
5.0
Me ha parecido un libro súper entrañable, las cartas, todas ellas son preciosas. Y conforme Papá Noel va conociendo más a los niños, más confianza y cariño les tiene y las aventuras de sus ayudantes son cada vez más locas ✨ me ha encantado y en los dibujos del propio Tolkien se ve el esmero y el cariño hacia su familia.
meme_too2's review against another edition
5.0
This was a wonderful book to read to the grandkids this Christmas. For 20+ years J.R.R. Tolkien answered his children's letters to Father Christmas. The book is full of his own illustrations, his silly relationship with NPB, aka North Polar Bear, who gets into all kinds of trouble.
A careful eye will see how Tolkien weaves his letters around real life, personal and world-wide.
A careful eye will see how Tolkien weaves his letters around real life, personal and world-wide.
the_enobee's review against another edition
5.0
Letters from Father Christmas is one of the best Christmas books I have read. Of course this is a joy to share with children, and the book is beautifully made. Tolkien shines here in his creation of Father Christmas mythology and the adventures he shares with the Great North Polar Bear, who is a classic Tolkien character. Highly recommended.
omegastar713's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
kylastearns's review against another edition
5.0
definitely adding this to the kid library collection
bigbookslilreads's review against another edition
5.0
Can I also have J. R. R. Tolkien write me letters?
I guess soon it will be my responsibility (or opportunity) to write these for the children in my family. This will be a great source of inspiration for me in years to come. But really, I will just read/listen to these every year to appease my inner child.
I guess soon it will be my responsibility (or opportunity) to write these for the children in my family. This will be a great source of inspiration for me in years to come. But really, I will just read/listen to these every year to appease my inner child.