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Letters from Father Christmas
Every December an envelope bearing a stamp from the North Pole would arrive for J.R.R. Tolkiens inventiveness in this classic holiday treat.
Paperback, 112 pages
Published
November 15th 2004
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
(first published January 1st 1976)
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J.R.R. Tolkien, better known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, used to write and illustrate letters to his children from "Father Christmas." This book contains a selection of those letters, each reproduced on a separate sheet of paper and enclosed in an envelope. The letters tell of various misadventures of Father Christmas and his assistant, North Polar Bear, problems with Goblins, etc.
I read the letters with my (then 10-year old) daughter. She enjoye...more
I read the letters with my (then 10-year old) daughter. She enjoye...more
My all time favorite Christmas story. The behind the scenes,daily life of father christmas. Soooo much drama with the goblins and the clumsy polar bear...but he puts it all into perfect perspective in the letters to his nieces and nephews!
One downside for the newer version that I bought... The words of the actual letters are on different pages than the pictures, so when reading to my three year old, I have to skim the letter quickly as I turn the page to talk in length about the dr...more
One downside for the newer version that I bought... The words of the actual letters are on different pages than the pictures, so when reading to my three year old, I have to skim the letter quickly as I turn the page to talk in length about the dr...more
Abigail
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Young Readers Who Love Santa Stories / Tolkien Fans
Recommended to Abigail by:
Kathryn
Beginning in 1920, when his oldest son, John, was three years old, and continuing through 1942, by which time Michael, Christopher and Priscilla had joined the Tolkien family, J.R.R. Tolkien - author of such fantasy classics as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings - wrote and illustrated a yearly missive from Father Christmas, mailed to his children through the post, or magically smuggled into their house, sometime Christmas Eve night. Beginning with the 1925 letter, this collection - edited by ...more
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Utterly charming, the reading of which deserves to be as much a holiday tradition as Clement Moore's 'A Visit From Saint Nicholas!
Philadelphia is strong on tradition. We're not against progress, but, the Bellevue Hotel is still the Bellevue, the Mummers still parade up Broad Street, win or lose, we love our sports teams and... no matter who owns the store, Wanamaker's is still Wanamakers. Say, "I'll meet you at the Eagle," to a Philadelphian, and many know exactly where i...more
Philadelphia is strong on tradition. We're not against progress, but, the Bellevue Hotel is still the Bellevue, the Mummers still parade up Broad Street, win or lose, we love our sports teams and... no matter who owns the store, Wanamaker's is still Wanamakers. Say, "I'll meet you at the Eagle," to a Philadelphian, and many know exactly where i...more
I'm not the biggest fan of Tolkien (ssssshhhh), only having read some of The Hobbit, and never even starting The Lord of the Rings (even the movie versions are a bit much for me), and so I only came to hear of this book this year as I was casting about looking for some new Christmas Reading.
This lovely book from the 1970s reproduces most of the letters and drawings that Tolkein (as Father Christmas) wrote to his young children over a period of over 20 years, from 1920 to 1940, in res...more
This lovely book from the 1970s reproduces most of the letters and drawings that Tolkein (as Father Christmas) wrote to his young children over a period of over 20 years, from 1920 to 1940, in res...more
I'm not sure what I was expecting when I started reading this collection of letters that "Father Christmas" wrote to the Tolkien children from the 1920s to the end of the 1930s. What I discovered surprised me, and yet I couldn't help but nod my head and chuckle and think, "of course, of course!" When the imagination behind Middle Earth meets up with the magic and lore of the North Pole, a very unique Father Christmas emerges! Here we have a Father Christmas who is kind and...more
After J. R. R. Tolkien went to be with the Lord in 1973, the already growing demand for material written by him veritably exploded. Though most of the interest was on his Middle-Earth mythology, he had written much else that was unpublished in his life time (a great deal of which he never intended or dreamed of publishing). Indeed, writing seemed to be a hobby and private pleasure for the linguistics professor.
His literary estate has met this demand, and one of the books that was pu...more
His literary estate has met this demand, and one of the books that was pu...more
One year for Christmas, I thought it would be cute to write a little tag on the gifts to my children from Santa. I used extra curly calligraphy thinking someone as magical as Santa to have somewhat effeminate handwriting. What I didn't plan on with this creative endeavor was having to continue this laborious font for anything more than my children's names. The following year, my children were asking for Santa's autograph and then for more extensive communications for which I had neither desire...more
I was enjoying these until the letter of 1932, when the goblins first appeared.
Father Christmas explains: "Goblins are to us very much what rats are to you, only worse, because they are very clever, and only better because there are, in these parts, very few."
In 1935, "They won't dare to come into my land yet; but for some reason they are breeding again and multiplying all over the world. Quite a nasty outbreak."
I know that in Western liter...more
Father Christmas explains: "Goblins are to us very much what rats are to you, only worse, because they are very clever, and only better because there are, in these parts, very few."
In 1935, "They won't dare to come into my land yet; but for some reason they are breeding again and multiplying all over the world. Quite a nasty outbreak."
I know that in Western liter...more
I didn't know what to expect when I pick this book up from the library, but I absolutely love it! I actually didn't even know this book existed until I starting looking for Christmas books to read before Christmas. Tolkien started writing letters from 'Father Christmas' to his children starting in the 1920s and continued until the 1940's. Father Christmas has his own specific shaky handwritting and he draws pictures for the kids. Each letter comes in a personally made envelope. This is such ...more
Sera
rated it
Recommends it for:
Holiday book readers
Recommended to Sera by:
Meghan
Shelves:
children-ya,
own
This book was very interesting, and I found it to be a quick and enjoyable read. The book is comprised of original letters from Tolkien posing as Father Christmas to his four children that are reproduced therein. The letters tell the adventures of Father Christmas, together with his Polar Bear helper, which later include red elves and goblins. In addition, the book is filled with illustrations that had been included with the letters.
The letters represent Tolkien's great creativity...more
The letters represent Tolkien's great creativity...more
Father Christmas + Goblins. Who would've ever thought? This book is too awesome. It is a collection of letters that J.R.R. Tolkien wrote as "Father Christmas" and sent to his children.
In it, you'll read about the antics of the funny North Polar Bear and his friends, goblin wars, numerous disasters at Father Christmas's house, and touching explanations for shortages of presents--many of the letters were written during the Depression and World War II years. The letters ...more
In it, you'll read about the antics of the funny North Polar Bear and his friends, goblin wars, numerous disasters at Father Christmas's house, and touching explanations for shortages of presents--many of the letters were written during the Depression and World War II years. The letters ...more
"Letters From Father Christmas" had a number of plus points for me. The idea is quite simple - a collection of letters and illustrations by J.J.R.Tolkien, in the guise of Father Christmas, to his children. However, the letters are not only about Father Christmas, but are full of delightful details about the Polar Bear and his exploits and also the mayhem caused by Goblins. The imaginative writing of this master storyteller gives us hints of what is in store in "The Hobbit" an...more
My wife stumbled upon this book at the library one day and I thought it was an amazing find. It is a collection of letters that Tolkein wrote to his children as Father Christmas, including drawings in his own hand. It is a peek into the personal life of a very influential author.
Julie (Mom2lnb)
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, Unique Holiday Stories
Reviewed for THC Reviews
I can only imagine the excitement of the Tolkien children to receive these wonderful letters from Father Christmas every year, or what it must have been like to have such a talented writer as a father. I, for one, think that it would have been splendid to get letters from Santa each Christmas. Letters from Father Christmas (previously released as The Father Christmas Letters) is a delightful book that is sure to entertain readers both young and old. Starting in 1920 ...more
I can only imagine the excitement of the Tolkien children to receive these wonderful letters from Father Christmas every year, or what it must have been like to have such a talented writer as a father. I, for one, think that it would have been splendid to get letters from Santa each Christmas. Letters from Father Christmas (previously released as The Father Christmas Letters) is a delightful book that is sure to entertain readers both young and old. Starting in 1920 ...more
A collection of beautifully illustrated letters to the children in the Tolkien family about the adventures of Father Christmas with the Polar Bear at the North Pole each Christmas. Enchanting tales with wonderful characters - the Polar Bear's scrapes are always entertaining. It's also particularly poignant during the war when Father Christmas has little to deliver (stolen by opportunistic goblins) and has difficulty finding all the evacuees and children made homeless by bombings. Lovely little b...more
This book is wonderful on so many different levels! As a Christmas story, it is perfect, though not always what one would expect of a Christmas book. Father Christmas does a marvelous job of telling his young friends about the North Pole and his own adventures/mishaps, as well as (or perhaps especially) those of his friend and assistant Polar Bear, through his yearly letters. The illustrations (Tolkien's own) naturally match each letter quite well, and though the facsimiles of the actual letter...more
I read this with my kids leading up to Christmas. We really enjoyed it. The kids were a little young to get everything, particularly English terms that only an inhabitant of Brittan comprehends.
Tolkien's imagination is a joy to experience. He crafted these stories for his kids, impersonating Father Christmas and sending them one letter each year. It is fun to follow Santa's adventures each year as he tries to meet his deadlines. His partner the Polar Bear is always getting int...more
Tolkien's imagination is a joy to experience. He crafted these stories for his kids, impersonating Father Christmas and sending them one letter each year. It is fun to follow Santa's adventures each year as he tries to meet his deadlines. His partner the Polar Bear is always getting int...more
While Christmas shopping a couple years ago I noticed the name Tolkien on the Christmas Selections table at BAMM. This space is usually reserved for holiday themed children's books and those godawful "Redneck Christmas" type selections. I was unaware that this book even existed, but I didn't have enough cash on me to get a copy.
It took me another year to find a copy like the one I saw that day. The copy I have has little attached envelopes on the pages with removable "...more
It took me another year to find a copy like the one I saw that day. The copy I have has little attached envelopes on the pages with removable "...more
Most children write letters to Father Christmas, but John, Michael, Christopher and Priscilla Tolkien were fortunate enough to receive many letters in return. Between 1920 and 1943, J.R.R. Tolkien would write letters to his children from Father Christmas. Father Christmas recounts stories to the children, including the misadventures of the North Polar Bear. From falling through Father Christmas’ roof, to setting off the Northern Lights that shatter the moon into four pieces, the North Polar Bear...more
This is a collection of letters that Tolkien wrote to his children from 1920-1943 from “Father Christmas.” He talks about happenings at the North Pole, particularly the antics of his helper, North Polar Bear (PB), who occasionally contributes to the letters. Father Christmas has a squiggly script, because of his old age, and PB has a thick, blotchy script because of his fat paw. Though not particularly memorable, the letters are a fun read. Tolkien included lots of charming drawings with his...more
Tolkien's children wrote to Father Christmas and Father Christmas wrote back. A lot.
The fact that Tolkien (who already had tons of cool points) created and maintained a North Pole narrative via letters from Father Christmas to his children -- many more points. He was always making mythologies. And that he should spend the time and energy to draw colorful illustrations and fabricate special penmanship for the character of Father Christmas, it reveals so much about him as a father.
...more
The fact that Tolkien (who already had tons of cool points) created and maintained a North Pole narrative via letters from Father Christmas to his children -- many more points. He was always making mythologies. And that he should spend the time and energy to draw colorful illustrations and fabricate special penmanship for the character of Father Christmas, it reveals so much about him as a father.
...more
The reason why I chose to read this book (my first of Tolkien's) Was because of how this book came to be. Every year Tolkien wrote these letters to all of his childeren, he drew them pictures and gave them stories. I just think that it is amazing the every year no matter what was going on whether he had been working hard or a world war was ravaging the planet, he always had time to do this for his childeren. And To me the fact that he only ever did this with the intention of making his childeren...more
Prior to a couple of years ago, i had not even heard of it or knew of any Tolkien writings other than those on middle earth. This is an incredible collection of letters which Tolkien wrote to his children each year in the guise of Father Christmas and his various helpers, most notably the North Polar Bear. Many of the original letters and beautiful drawings have been reproduced here, not just printed out. Also, this particular publication includes many previously unpublished bits and is chock fu...more
As a family we LOVE this book and it's become a bit of a family tradition. It gets packed away with our Christmas decorations and when it comes out at Advent it sits under the tree and a little gets read each night, we haven't read it all yet, but I can't help feel that it should take years to read if we're to experience it as Tolkien's children did.
The stories are amazing, funny and of course J.R.R. Tolkien creates the most vivid situations and loveable characters. Tolkien started w...more
The stories are amazing, funny and of course J.R.R. Tolkien creates the most vivid situations and loveable characters. Tolkien started w...more
Sometime in the 1920's, Father Christmas began writing letters to J. R. R. Tolkien's children. The letters came with his very own intricate drawings of the North Pole, elves, goblins, and of course Father Christmas's assistant: the North Polar Bear.
The letters tell the Tolkien children about all the yearly highlights and happenings in the North Pole. The North Polar Bear is always getting into scrapes. Like the year that he accidentally turned on two years' worth of Northern Lights: ...more
The letters tell the Tolkien children about all the yearly highlights and happenings in the North Pole. The North Polar Bear is always getting into scrapes. Like the year that he accidentally turned on two years' worth of Northern Lights: ...more
During the time J.R.R. Tolkien's children were small, he would spend every Christmas Eve after they were tucked into bed creating a unique "Father Christmas" letter for them. The letter would consist of a story from Father Christmas at his North Pole residence that was hand-illustrated and often painted in watercolour, with a custom postage stamp, envelope, and "snow" that mysteriously fell out of the letter when opened. The Tolkien children would find the letter on Christmas...more
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I have wanted to read this book for a very long time and see this wonderful gift that Tolkien gave his children. I did enjoy reading the letters and stories and imagining how it would be to get a letter from Father Christmas every year that was so personalized. What a fun thing for a father to do for his kids. This book, however, in my opinion should not be read on any electronic device if it can be helped. I'm going to get myself a hard cover copy for my bookshelf and share the stories and ...more
Do you love Christmas? Do you love children? How about Tolkien? When they were small each year J. R. R. Tolkien's children received a letter (with a stamp from the North Pole) from Father Christmas. These letters related Father Christmas's adventures with an accident prone polar bear, his reindeer, and the preparations for Christmas...complete with drawings.
This is a wonderful touching book. I recommend it heartily.
This is a wonderful touching book. I recommend it heartily.
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John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE, was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the high fantasy classic works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford from 1925 to 1945, and Merton Professor of English language and literature from 1945 to 1959. He was a close friend of C. S. Lewis...more
More about J.R.R. Tolkien...
Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford from 1925 to 1945, and Merton Professor of English language and literature from 1945 to 1959. He was a close friend of C. S. Lewis...more
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“If you find that not many of the things you asked for have come, and not perhaps quite so many as sometimes, remember that this Christmas all over the world there are a terrible number of poor and starving people.”
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