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The Man in the Cinder Clouds

by Rick Daley (Goodreads Author)

4.54 of 5 stars 4.54 · rating details · 26 ratings · 18 reviews

The freezing temperature is the only thing cool about Jason’s trip to the North Pole, but things heat up when his father discovers a book buried deep in the ice. This is no ordinary book, mind you. For starters, it was written by an Elf. And if that’s not enough, the book proves the existence of Kris Kringle—you know, Santa Claus.

Born human but abandoned as a baby, Kris is...more

Paperback, First Edition, 180 pages

Published July 12th 2011 by CreateSpace

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Jun 27, 2012 Sher A. Hart rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-reviews

Please read the blurb to learn the premise. Who could resist a book written by an elf about the origins of Santa Clause? I couldn't, and I'm a little past (okay, way past) the target audience's age. The book was a little like the Princess Bride, a story inside a story. In this case, I'd say nested Christmas presents, and altogether a very nice package with plenty of excitement in the unwrapping.

Too bad I had to fly back home before I finished reading to my sister's grandchildren. We went through...more Please read the blurb to learn the premise. Who could resist a book written by an elf about the origins of Santa Clause? I couldn't, and I'm a little past (okay, way past) the target audience's age. The book was a little like the Princess Bride, a story inside a story. In this case, I'd say nested Christmas presents, and altogether a very nice package with plenty of excitement in the unwrapping.

Too bad I had to fly back home before I finished reading to my sister's grandchildren. We went through 8 chapters while driving around seeing Christmas displays. Every time we got back in the car, they wanted more. I was sad they never got to enjoy some very funny stuff about the animals pulling the sleigh, not the ones you think. Rick's dialogue was often funny, an important skill to keep kids and teens entertained. Okay, adults too.

There were also some tense moments for Kris Kringle along the way to proving to the Elfs that there was some goodness in mankind. Explaining how two children's lives were in danger would spoil the story, so just make sure not to leave off at those places right before bedtime if reading to very young children. Yes, you should read it to very young children. I read Tolkien to my kindergarten son when he balked at learning to read, and he became a voracious reader. Try this book on your young ones if you don't believe me.

If you're still not convinced, but have ever seen your children act selfish or mean, you won't find a better way to convince them to mend their ways without them knowing they're being taught. They'll also gain a new appreciation for the necessities of life like a home, food, warm clothing, and health. You'll also find out how Santa's hair turned white, how he fits all those toys into one bag, and a sleighful of other neat surprises. Overall, it was a very inventive story.

I was surprised to find how well written the book was until I remembered Rick's writing background. And then Susan Quinn, author of the awesome YA Open Minds, told me Rick is in her Indelibles group, which may partly explain the very clean copy. The book isn't perfect. As a writer I would have given it 4.5 stars, but for kids and teens it's a definite 5 star. Go buy it now. If your children are young now,they'll want to read it every year,eventually to their own kids.(less)

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Dec 14, 2011 Sher A. Hart rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-reviews

Please read the blurb to learn the premise. Who could resist a book written by an elf about the origins of Santa Clause? I couldn't, and I'm a little past (okay, way past) the target audience's age. The book was a little like the Princess Bride, a story inside a story. In this case, I'd say nested Christmas presents, and altogether a very nice package with plenty of excitement in the unwrapping.

Too bad I had to fly back home before I finished reading to my sister's grandchildren. We went throug...more Please read the blurb to learn the premise. Who could resist a book written by an elf about the origins of Santa Clause? I couldn't, and I'm a little past (okay, way past) the target audience's age. The book was a little like the Princess Bride, a story inside a story. In this case, I'd say nested Christmas presents, and altogether a very nice package with plenty of excitement in the unwrapping.

Too bad I had to fly back home before I finished reading to my sister's grandchildren. We went through 8 chapters while driving around seeing Christmas displays. Every time we got back in the car, they wanted more. I was sad they never got to enjoy some very funny stuff about the animals pulling the sleigh, not the ones you think. Rick's dialogue was often funny, an important skill to keep kids and teens entertained. Okay, adults too.

There were also some tense moments for Kris Kringle along the way to proving to the Elfs that there was some goodness in mankind. Explaining how two children's lives were in danger would spoil the story, so just make sure not to leave off at those places right before bedtime if reading to very young children. Yes, you should read it to very young children. I read Tolkien to my kindergarten son when he balked at learning to read, and he became a voracious reader. Try this book on your young ones if you don't believe me.

If you're still not convinced, but have ever seen your children act selfish or mean, you won't find a better way to convince them to mend their ways without them knowing they're being taught. They'll also gain a new appreciation for the necessities of life like a home,food,warm clothing,and health. You'll also find out how Santa's hair turned white, how he fits all those toys into one bag, and a sleighful of other neat surprises. Overall, it was a very inventive story.

I was surprised to find how well written the book was until I remembered Rick's writing background. And then Susan Quinn, author of the awesome YA Open Minds, told me Rick is in her Indelibles group, which may partly explain the very clean copy. The book isn't perfect. As a writer I would have given it 4.5 stars, but for kids and teens it's a definite 5 star. Go buy it now. If your children are young now,they'll want to read it every year,eventually to their own kids.

(less)

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Sep 13, 2011 El Video rated it 5 of 5 stars

NOTE TO ANY WHO READ THIS:

Let me start this by making a statement: I have never written a review before. Bear with me as I attempt to correctly express my opinions on this novel.

Also, I don't like rating systems with numbers or stars at all. It's too subjective … what does a 3/5 mean to me, as opposed to what it means to you?

Here is how I rate books …

1) Sell the book back - this means I probably didn't finish the book, or I did, but I really don't want it around any more. This is the worst thing...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Laurel rated it 5 of 5 stars

THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS is one of those middle grade books that the grown-ups get sucked into along with their kids. You think you bought if for your young reader but after you browse chapter one you just sort of... can't stop.

For the kids: The story starts with an adventure gone dreadfully boring as a boy accompanies his dad on an expedition to the North Pole. He discovers that the exotic location can't overcome the drudgery of hanging out with scientists for a few weeks, even if Santa Cla...more

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Sep 06, 2011 Tami rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: goodreads-giveaways, 2011

I haven't received yet. Just received notice I had won. 8/31/11
Received Saturday 9/3/11, started and finished yesterday 9/5/11

Jason goes to the North Pole with his father on a work trip. His older brother told him Santa Clause is not real, so he takes along his camera to get proof his brother is wrong. His father and his coworkers are drilling into the ice to study the effects of global warming. They accidently drill a hole right through the middle of a book. Then they get out their picks and sh...more

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Dec 19, 2011 Brogan rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Man in the Cinder Clouds is a great representation of the selfless giving we associate with the holidays. I fully expected the book to be just another adaptation of the classic Christmas stories for the amusement of children. Despite being written in simple language appropriate for elementary and middle school students, The Man in the Cinder Clouds is a refreshing spin on how Santa Claus came to be. Rick Daley has done a fantastic job of weaving fantasy with realistic concepts every reader c...more

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Aug 26, 2011 Susan Quinn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mg-fantasy

The Man in the Cinder Clouds, Rick Daley's delightful Christmas Tale, is a story within a story within a story. I love how Rick weaves these three plots together, each dependent on the other, nested like Christmas Dolls.

In the first, we follow Jason to the North Pole where his father's scientific team is drilling for ice cores (go science! Points for arctic coolness here). Instead they find a magical book that tells the second tale, of one Kris Kringle before he was the chief bringer of gifts. K...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Laurie Carlson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: holiday

A CLASSIC! I give this a "10" STAR book! Although I can only give it 5, bummer! It does deserve 10!
So, you think you know everything there is to know about Santa Claus? Guess again! You don't even know a sliver of the history behind Santa! Did you know Santa is part elf? Yes!
This is not 'just' a children's book, it is a book for adults, as well. It's a story within a story. This magical story captivates you as you read it. It pulls you right into the story.
First allow me to tell you how we lear...more A CLASSIC! I give this a "10" STAR book! Although I can only give it 5, bummer! It does deserve 10!
So, you think you know everything there is to know about Santa Claus? Guess again! You don't even know a sliver of the history behind Santa! Did you know Santa is part elf? Yes!
This is not 'just' a children's book, it is a book for adults, as well. It's a story within a story. This magical story captivates you as you read it. It pulls you right into the story.
First allow me to tell you how we learn this story is all about Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, and all the other names he is known as today around the world, in all the different countries. Every year he comes, almost since the beginning of time itself.
This story starts off in the modern world, with Professor Hodgin working at the north pole with other scientists, drilling deep cylinders into the ice studying them for the effects of global warming. One time the professor decides to take his youngest son, Jason, along with him so he could see the type of work he is doing at the North Pole.
Just last year, Jason's older brother, Justin, had told him Santa was not real, but Jason refuses to believe him. As they were on their way to the North Pole, Jason did expect to see Christmas villages, lights, reindeer games, and more. Instead, all he saw was snow, cold, and stuffy old scientists who thought they were fooling him into believing they really had seen an occasional reindeer, and that they did see Santa one time. He knew one thing was true, it was COLD!
As Jason continued to get more bored as each day wore on, all of a sudden there was sudden commotion. The scientists had drilled into one of the deepest areas of ice, and inside that ice cylinder they found a book. They wanted that book and got it out. This book turned out to be thousands of years old. They all took turns reading the cover of the book, and the most incredible thing happened to anyone who spoke a different primary language. They were all able to read the book in the language they spoke. It was as if the book magically customized itself to each person reading it. Amazing! They could not believe their eyes! This was just the start of the magic of this book.
So the story starts, all about Santa, oh, wait, I mean Kris, Kris Kringle, when he was a mere babe, found swaddled in rags in the brush out in the open, abandoned and left to die. An elf, Kristina, went out for a walk with her infant son, and came upon this poor human baby left out in the elements. She could not leave him there to die, so she picked him up and nursed him to health. There is so much more to this story with the elves, too. This is where this book jumps to life.
Jason took over the book, and started to read it aloud, starting from the very beginning of the book, and all the way through. The story tells us how Santa came to be.
This story goes on to explain different Christmas traditions, how Kris decided to deliver gifts to children all over the world and more.
This story is quite magical! It is unlike ANY other Christmas story about Santa ever written. This magical story grabbed me from the very beginning and I could not stop reading it until the very end. I've actually read it twice, and reread other sections a third time! I just LOVE this book! You NEED a copy of this book in your library!
This book is SURELY to become a Christmas Classic over time! You HAVE to read this!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book! You will want to read it every year, and the year after that, and after that, and after that, until it is memorized! No one is to old for this book!
You can find out more about this book at www.cinderclouds.com and, Rick Daley, the author, has a personal blog at http://www.mydaleyrant.blogspot.com
You can follow Rick on Twitter as @rjdaley101071
Facebook: Friend Request "Cinder Clouds"
You can also purchase this book at the link below through Amazon. Again, I HIGHLY suggest this book! It is one you will NEVER FORGET!
A CLASSIC HAS EMERGED!(less)

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Sep 08, 2011 Jeannie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, goodreads

I won this book through the Goodreads First-reads giveaway program,"Thank You!" to goodreads and Rick Daley "The Man in the Cinder Clouds" Is a Christmas Tale,that is a story within a story. I loved the way they intertwined! The plot, storyline and events were well written.I highly recommend this book!! Its a fun quick read.Rick Daley is Great new author! ♥:)♥♥~♥

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Sep 15, 2011 Peggy Sims rated it 4 of 5 stars

I won this book the man in the cinder clouds written by Rick Daley on goodreads free giveaway. With the intention of giving it to my grandson. I decided to read a few pages and found myself enjoying the book. I like the modern way that the author kept the spirt of kris kringle Santa Clause alive in all our hearts. Thank you Rick Daley I will share this book with others. Its a really feel good book for all ages. HOPE THERE WILL BE OTHER BOOKS TO COME......

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Oct 21, 2011 D. Pease rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just in time for the Christmas season, a fabulous re-imagining of the origins of Santa Claus. Kids will love it, and adults will enjoy reading it to them. Even though the language in The Man in the Cinder Clouds is simple enough for young readers, it almost feels like one of those stories that must be read out loud. For this forty-something father, it brought back the magic I remember as a child when I watched the Christmas specials on TV, except this story seemed more "real". I definitely think...more

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Nov 30, 2011 Funbooks rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

Did you ever wonder...? The Rest of the Story, Santa style! Clever and imaginative telling of how Santa came to be the man he is today. well written and fast paced. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could!

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Dec 26, 2012 Julienne Siano rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very very cute story. Perfect for this time of year. Enjoyed learning where the traditions originated

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Jul 27, 2011 Sharon rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Very creative! Easy and fun reading for all ages! Would make a great xmas movie!

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Oct 26, 2011 Kasia Hubbard marked it as to-read

I won this on Goodreads. I received my copy on October 26.

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Nov 30, 2011 Annela59 rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a sweet, timeless book about the search for the true meaning of Christmas and how many traditions, as we know them, came to be. I highly recommend this book for both boys and girls and adults alike. This book would make a great advent present, or a wonderful pre-Christmas present for any child in your life.

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Jul 25, 2012 Red Dwyer rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Red by: Rick Daley

This is a delightfully different twist on the Santa story. The characters are well developed and easily identifiable. Definitely on my recommended list for everyone who loves Christmas.

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Jul 02, 2012 Cathy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-books, christmas

Very nice story about the beginnings of Santa Claus.

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Feb 23, 2013 Sophie marked it as to-read

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Dec 25, 2012 Jolene rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dec 20, 2012 Adrian.s.phillipsgmail.com marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Dec 09, 2012 Maureen Yostpille added it

Shelves: book-club

Dec 05, 2012 Lára marked it as kannski

Nov 28, 2012 Kristina marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: christmas

Oct 14, 2012 Lavetta marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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About Rick Daley

Rick Daley lives in Lewis Center, OH with his wife and two sons, and they all live with a neurotic schnauzer named Leo.

Rick is the author of The Man in the Cinder Clouds, a gripping tale about Kris Kringle and how he came to be known as Santa Claus. It wasn't easy.

Rick is also the author of Rudy Toot-Toot, a hilarious tale about self-control (and the lack thereof) starring a boy who was born on a...more

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