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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Inspiring, entertaining and heart-warming letters by a famous father to his offspring
I'd heard of this before, but never read it. As a parent now myself, I decided it was time to try it, and in December, the timing was perfect.
I came away from this feeling very seasonal, buoyed up, and determined to do something similar myself!
The audio version is beautifully produced, with some famous voices providing the 'letter writer' voices and seasonal music interspersed throughout, making it a short but very Christmassy book to share.
It comprises years-worth of Tolkein's letters to his children, in the guide of Father Christmas, and occasionally his friends and workers at the North Pole (the Polar Bear is particularly amusing).
Over the years, there are ongoing stories about battles with trolls, things that go wrong, life in the North Pole, and we also get a feel for the lives of both Tolkein and his children, and they tighten their belts (and stocking expectations) for World Wars and shortages.
It is sad as each new letter addresses a new child and we know that yet another has grown up and out of the Father Christmas era. But so lovely to hear of the letters they write back to their correspondent and what they say to him. Charming, just charming.
Loved this, and I hope to remember to find it again (library download) next December. And next year, when my youngest is 18 months I will attempt to follow in the footsteps of a literary great and thrill my own little guy with something similar.
I'd heard of this before, but never read it. As a parent now myself, I decided it was time to try it, and in December, the timing was perfect.
I came away from this feeling very seasonal, buoyed up, and determined to do something similar myself!
The audio version is beautifully produced, with some famous voices providing the 'letter writer' voices and seasonal music interspersed throughout, making it a short but very Christmassy book to share.
It comprises years-worth of Tolkein's letters to his children, in the guide of Father Christmas, and occasionally his friends and workers at the North Pole (the Polar Bear is particularly amusing).
Over the years, there are ongoing stories about battles with trolls, things that go wrong, life in the North Pole, and we also get a feel for the lives of both Tolkein and his children, and they tighten their belts (and stocking expectations) for World Wars and shortages.
It is sad as each new letter addresses a new child and we know that yet another has grown up and out of the Father Christmas era. But so lovely to hear of the letters they write back to their correspondent and what they say to him. Charming, just charming.
Loved this, and I hope to remember to find it again (library download) next December. And next year, when my youngest is 18 months I will attempt to follow in the footsteps of a literary great and thrill my own little guy with something similar.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
4 Holiday Stars!
Absolutely endearing to know that a father, let alone an infamous author, invested so much time and energy and creative effort to keep his kids’ beliefs in all the wonders of Christmas alive for as long as possible.
This book shows the real letters and the impressive effort Tolkien made to do different handwritings for Father Christmas, a mischievous polar bear helper, and an elf. Not only did he create a goblin alphabet, he also did many personal drawings depicting snapshots of daily life and adventurous mishaps at the North Pole that were impressive regarding the attention to the minute details.
I’m in awe with this heart warming collection showcasing a father’s love for his children and urge you to check it out to enjoy the feel good afterglow!
Absolutely endearing to know that a father, let alone an infamous author, invested so much time and energy and creative effort to keep his kids’ beliefs in all the wonders of Christmas alive for as long as possible.
This book shows the real letters and the impressive effort Tolkien made to do different handwritings for Father Christmas, a mischievous polar bear helper, and an elf. Not only did he create a goblin alphabet, he also did many personal drawings depicting snapshots of daily life and adventurous mishaps at the North Pole that were impressive regarding the attention to the minute details.
I’m in awe with this heart warming collection showcasing a father’s love for his children and urge you to check it out to enjoy the feel good afterglow!
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
This lovely volume – I had the centenary edition – duplicates the letters from Father Christmas which were sent to Tolkien’s children beginning in 1920 and continuing for the next twenty-three years. The letters relate the many adventures Father Christmas and his helpers – The North Polar Bear, elves, etc – have both in preparation for the big day and throughout the year.
Tolkein seriously disguised his handwriting / printing, using a very shaky hand that is quite difficult for these old eyes, so I’m grateful for the printed text accompanying the photos of each letter. If I were a young person I would probably try to memorize Polar Bear’s unique alphabet and use that to write notes to my friends (something I did with Tolkein’s Elven runes back in the day after reading The Hobbit). I much enjoyed the inventiveness of these missives and loved the hand-drawn illustrations of the Northern Lights, or a Goblin War, or a flood caused by … well, I won’t spoil it for you.
My only disappointment is that we don’t see any of the letters Tolkien’s children wrote back to Father Christmas.
Still, it’s a treasure to be enjoyed by more generations of both children and adults.
Tolkein seriously disguised his handwriting / printing, using a very shaky hand that is quite difficult for these old eyes, so I’m grateful for the printed text accompanying the photos of each letter. If I were a young person I would probably try to memorize Polar Bear’s unique alphabet and use that to write notes to my friends (something I did with Tolkein’s Elven runes back in the day after reading The Hobbit). I much enjoyed the inventiveness of these missives and loved the hand-drawn illustrations of the Northern Lights, or a Goblin War, or a flood caused by … well, I won’t spoil it for you.
My only disappointment is that we don’t see any of the letters Tolkien’s children wrote back to Father Christmas.
Still, it’s a treasure to be enjoyed by more generations of both children and adults.
dltreads17's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful father to keep the Christmas Spirit alive for his children through the years. I truly enjoyed these letters.
heidi_mcj's review against another edition
5.0
I wish I could have written letters to Santa Claus like this! A real treasure that I hope the Tolkien family keeps forever. Thanks for sharing these letters with the rest of us!
theburnedhand's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
3.75
breakfastgrey's review against another edition
4.0
My rating for this one is edition specific. The letters themselves are cute, but they’re not really meant to be more than a dad doing something special for his kids each Christmas. Reading them back to back can be ultra repetitive. They’re still quite sweet, though. What really makes them truly special is the care Tolkien takes in the physical presentation of the letters, something this edition highlights beautifully. The penmanship, illumination, and artwork are all absolutely gorgeous. Things do get a bit sad for parents over the course of this as you watch the children age out of the letters. Also, the WWII years are fascinating from a historical standpoint. I enjoyed reading this with my kids, just make sure you get a really nice edition if you’re interested.
greaydean's review against another edition
4.0
Quite delightful. The wonder that he created for his children. Reminds me to hold fast to the wonder of the simple things. My absurd example for today: a pinwheel.
No, it is not a wonderfully cohesive long story, but rather a testimony to consistency.
Yes, I could have been a better parent and cultivated more wonder and presence in my own children's lives. But I am inspired.
No, it is not a wonderfully cohesive long story, but rather a testimony to consistency.
Yes, I could have been a better parent and cultivated more wonder and presence in my own children's lives. But I am inspired.
forgottentaxes's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0