A Boy Called Christmas

Every year, we get a new Christmas book to read together and this was the first year we got a chapter book for me to read to my kids throughout the month of December leading up to Christmas.I wish I had read the negative reviews before purchasing, as this book is just completely full of negativity. When we started out, I liked the idea of Santa Claus overcoming hardships, but it soon became more than mere hardship; it was truly depressing.I continued reading hoping it would take an upturn, but it didn’t.SPOILERS: His horrible (for no apparent reason) aunt destroyed the one item in the world he cherished in a rather sickening manner, there was a sociopathic pixie who talked about how much she loved making heads explode (there is an actual head explosion in the book, described in gory detail), Blizten enjoyed peeing on people (unnecessary and childish humor, which I found confusing as the author clearly wanted to deal some incredibly mature and horrible blows of reality throughout), his father (his hero and a man whom he had always admired) kidnapped an elf for money, a troll nearly strangled him to death, his father committed suicide right before his eyes, etc.Ultimately, the only reason I kept reading was so we could finally get to the good stuff where he becomes Santa Claus. We felt the payoff at the very end was not nearly as cheery as it needed to be in order to make the rest of the book worth it.We DO NOT recommend this book.

Clearly BBS believes children's books should be all sugar and spice. This is a delightful book, and BBS has not understood it. For instance, Christmas's father does something in a crisis that insures that his son will survive and succeed. Do you really want to label that "suicide?" If you really want to get analytical, this could be a story about a young boy who rises above all the hardship and sorrow of his youth to become a compassionate and loving icon. Or, you could just read with your children and chuckle at silly incidents and cheer for a boy with moxie.

This book is just downright depressing. This isn't a feel-good book made for kids. In my humble opinion, this is something I wouldn't have been able to handle as a kid. In fact, I was barely able to handle it as an adult. From all the pain Nikolas goes through...I won't spoil the book. But there is a load of abuse in this book and I can't get down with it.The book is well-written, don't get me wrong. But you don't feel good after you put it down. Maybe that's what the author wanted? Maybe they wanted something "deeper" therefore they chose the most depressing way to go about it.

The book is very well written, charming and entertaining. I was consumed with happiness while reading the book. Anyone that loves Christmas would love this book. I loved it so much that I have ordered the second book in the series and am looking forward to reading it.

enjoyed all 3 books in this series..great detail..I find the 1 star ratings to be unjust..if you want a tot book, buy night before christmas..this book paints a picture of pure hope and believing in something bigger than yourself

This book is a refreshingly different story of how Santa came to be. As I read it, I found myself wishing my grandchildren were still young enough to sit beside me and take turns reading it with me. And " The Girl Who Saved Christmas " completes the story. I fully intend to get hardback copies for my grown children so that they might share these wonderful holiday stories with their own grandchildren one day.

I gave this book three stars because of its awesome way of thinking. I never would have thought of the fact that Santa was a young boy many years ago and that he was a human. I never thought of him as an elf OR a human. Same with the fact that I never thought about where Santa would live, either. Finland was a very interesting choice! This book I full of surprises, fun, happiness, and sweets. Happy reading!

If you're a fan of Roald Dahl, Lemony Snicket, and kind-hearted heroes, you're going to love this book. My son and I tried not to rush through it, but it is such a page-turner that it was hard to put down.

Love this book. In the middle of reading it to my two youngest boys (9 and 7) and this evening just as we sat down to read a couple of chapters, my 9 year old looked up at me and said "Mum I have been looking forward to this all day". Speaks for itself really. I struggle reading them novels and if I am honest I still hanker for the picture book days, they are quick and I miss the pictures!! Well the illustrations in some of them are truly magical. Also was before I was working full-time. Am so bloomin' tired by the end of the day the bed-time story quite often gets neglected. I pop on a story CD and go off to fold the laundry feeling guilty and a bit pants. So, am delighted to report that this book is brilliant. I am as captivated as the boys and it is just so nice reading it during the build up to Christmas, especially as the little one still believes. This is what reading to your kids is all about. Hugs, giggles and making happy memories. The laundry can definitely wait!

Just finished reading this to my 6 year old, We've been reading it for the past few days and he's really enjoyed it. His brother who's 5 wasn't interested in it and fell asleep after a few pages every night but my oldest son loved it. There are quite sensitive subjects in it regarding death, loss, grief, trust, child abuse but told in a childlike way. There were a few times my son got upset and I was unsure about carrying on but I think it's important he knows that it's OK to cry if he finds something sad and that it's amazing to laugh hysterically when there's something funny. I loved the little illustrations they're mega cute. And the story itself is beautiful with a lovely ending. I'd be quite happy to read this myself even if I didn't have children, but then, I am a HUGE fan of Matt Haig. A must read at this time of year

Nikolas 11yrs was called Christmas because he was born on Christmas day, he lived in a small cottage in Finland with his best friend Miika a mouse, his father Joel went off with a hunter to prove the existence of Elves, this was worth a lot of money and the family needed it, Aunt Carlotta was to look after Nikolas but she was cruel to him, Nikolas ran away with Miika, he met a reindeer on the way who had been shot with an arrow, Nikolas pulled it out and the reindeer became a friend and was called BlitzenNikolas met two Elves, Father Topo and Little Noosh who showed him the city of Elfhelm, on arriving the Elves were very unhappy Father Vodel had banned nearly everything and Nikolas was put in jail, he heard that an Elf Little Kip had been kidnapped by his father and other men, Sebastian a Troll tried to eat Nikolas but the Truth Pixie stopped it, the story continues with his escape from jail and all his many adventures with the Elves, can Nikolas bring back happiness to the Elves and what is the special job he would be needed forMy verdict, excellent childrens story, worth reading

What a brilliant story. My 9 year old is on the cusp of not believing and I can honestly say this book made a difference to his continued faith in the magic. A story of the background to how Father Christmas came to be. An amusing and at times sad story that 'answers questions' that I wouldn't have thought of! My 5 year old also enjoyed the book. We read a chapter or two every night in the run up to Christmas Day.

An enjoyable read about the origins of Father Christmas. There was aspects of this story that were sad, but the author handles the theme's well and with sensitivity. And as with any children's book, there are plenty of funny moments to keep the reader engaged.A good collection of very different characters to engage the reader and show diversity. The main character's 'goodness' shines through and makes for happy reading. Should I have read this with a child, I imagine there would be plenty to discuss and chat about.There were times that I felt the story sagged a little and slowed down on pace, but this did not affect me finishing it and I would read another story by this author again.