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A review by katykelly
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
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.