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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
harvestwitch's review against another edition
5.0
This was so cute and whimsical. I’d like to do something like this for my kids one day.
audioandereadergrrly's review against another edition
5.0
Written over the course of 20 years, these letters are from Tolkien to his children writing as Father Christmas. I listened to the audiobook. The listener gets glimpses of Tolkien’s imagination with the other characters such as Polar Bear and the mischief he causes. I loved the stories of the goblin wars. Tolkien would also tie in real-world events, such as the depression and WWII. My only complaint about the audiobook was that sometimes the Christmas music was repetitive and the volume of the music would seem too loud at times.
jdk_andes's review against another edition
4.0
This is a relatively short read, but it is filled with fun and warmth. Like all good Christmas stories, it is about finding hope and joy even in dark times. Add to that some great illustrations and a pinch of Tolkien's fantasy worldbuilding, and you have a truly underrated classic. Tolkien's version of Father Christmas and the North Pole are unique and charming, and worth a read.
ayami's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 A collection of hand-written letters Tolkien wrote to his children as Father Christmas. You can see he must have had a lot of fun thinking up stories from the North Pole. The letters are sprinkled with beautiful pictures, made up runes and Elvish scribbles. A cute and original collection.
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!