Secrets of a Christmas Elf

by Ben Miller

The brilliant blockbuster from Ben Miller - the perfect book for all the family.

It's business as usual in the run up to Christmas at Santa's Workshop - and toy elves Holly and Tog are busy making gifts for children all around the world. But Father Christmas isn't feeling well, and Holly is worried that things won't be finished on time. Inventing a robot to help out with festive duties seems like a fantastic idea, until Father Christmas is KIDNAPPED and a race against time to save him and the big day begins.

Funny and heartwarming, this beautifully illustrated pocket-sized story shows the importance of family at Christmas, and all year round. Discover more adventures from Hollie and Tog in Diary of a Christmas Elf .

Praise for Ben
'A magical adventure' Sunday Express on The Day I Fell Into a Fairytale
'Great for reading aloud' The Week Junior on The Day I Fell Into a Fairytale
'A fire-side gem of a story' Abi Elphinstone on The Night I Met Father Christmas
'Fabulous' Sunday Express on The Boy Who Made the World Disappear
'Enchanting, funny and intriguing in equal measure' Philip Ardagh on The Night I Met Father Christmas
'Each of [Ben's] five books is joyous and thoughtful' Red Magazine

'A sheer delight for all kids both big and small' Ruth Jones on The Night I Met Father Christmas

Bubbles with warmth and mixed humour. . . irresistible' Alexander Armstrong on The Night I Met Father Christmas

'Wonderful, funny, magical' Chris Evans on How I Became a Dog Called Midnight

Genres: Christmas, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Audiobook

224 pages, Hardcover

Published November 10, 2022

Reviews

[Snjez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is told from Holly's POV and, while I like her, I missed more of Tog. I also enjoyed the storyline in the previous book, Diary of a Christmas Elf, more. It was still enjoyable enough.

Ben Miller’s narration makes it a wonderful listening experience.

[Beckee❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read 'Diary Of A Christmas Elf', however I didn't feel like I needed to as I was able to work out all of the characters and follow the story perfectly fine.

A quick easy read I picked up before the kids woke up.

[XOX · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read.

Holly and Tog want to help Santa. So they built a robot Santa to take over some of the work to give Santa a break.

Frizz is also joining them.

Santa got kidnapped.

Now Holly’s brothers are trying to save Santa.

They got captured too.

It is a fun read in a form of diary from Holly point of view.

I like it so much that it is not really about Xmas. It is about a girl being undermined by the male members of the family. And how she rise above the challenge.

[N.L. McFarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a charming little Christmas story about the kidnapping of santa and his rescue whilst still keeping the north pole running and christmas on track... not an easy feat, and full of adventure, fun and friendship... plus a few naughty elves and a very interesting robot... I enjoyed this festive read which was my first for this fun month. It has definitely put me into a cosy nights and hot chocolate, festive mood. The characters were fun, the story was easy to follow and entertaining, and it's a lovely little afternoon read for kids and adults alike. This is a follow on from "Diary of a Christmas Elf" and so there are some old faces, and new with some pretty big secrets...

[DANII · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first, the only christmassy thing about it was the characters being Christmas characters such as father Christmas and elves but the story was basically like a less christmassy version of the grinch trying to steal Christmas, but instead of being the grinch it was a president and the 2 criminals from the first one, not very inventive really as they tried to steal Christmas in the first one too. I was hoping it was going to be funny and just as christmassy with a twist like the first one, but it wasn't. slightly disappointed but never mind.

Happy reading,everyone 😊 📚

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute cheesy children’s christmas book bc i am a literal child

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just so fun! I listened to diary of a Christmas elf last year, and as a huge lover of Ben Miller, Christmas and childish nostalgia, this book was a huge hit for me. I released my inner child reading this (well, listening. I had the audiobook narrated by Ben Miller himself) and loved it.

We’re back with Holly and this time, Christmas is once again on the rocks. Threats of old arise, and left with an ultimatum to give up all the presents to get her father back, Holly has quite the decision on her hands. But this time, she has back up! In the form of a sparky little Christmas robot who she enlists the help of to save Christmas.

It’s so easy to read and really entertaining. Ben miller is a great writer and this is a must read book for all the little kids who want a little insight into the lives of Christmas elves and want a christmassy book to read in December. You can’t go much wrong with it!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute follow-up to the book Diary of a Christmas Elf. In this book, Father Christmas's daughter Holly narrates the story from her diary. It's just a couple of months until the big day, and Father Christmas is under the weather. He's so sick he's unable to visit children at malls and stores across the globe to find out what they most want for Christmas. The workshop elves consider making a robotic Father Christmas to give the man a rest and fulfill his pre-holiday commitments. Holly and Tog, who we met in the first book, have noticed someone playing imposter to Father Christmas. Could it be the same men from the first book who tried to steal Christmas?

I listened to the audible version of this book, and it was as delightful as the first one in the series. A great read for families.

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was definitely a step up from the first. The plot felt a lot more exciting and it was fun to follow a different character’s perspective. It ended in a much better way compared to the first. I still loved all the characters, including some new ones. Overall, it was enjoyable and the story was easy to understand.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miller's Crossing #6
Elf #2
It doesn't indicate here but this is the second of three books thus far about the Christmas Elf's.
This again is in the form of a diary and is a quick easy read, it is quite fun, although pretty similar to books one, with some additions and at least a continuity.
A fun Christmas read.

[BookWormBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

A enjoyable story set in the format of a diary. Which could make for a fun read along adventure calendar starting at the end of October, although some days would be very short.

A story of finding hope, friends and belief in yourself in unexpected places.

[Stacey Bookerworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in an hour

[Raye Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am absolutely not the target audience for this but I will save it for my nephew

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful Christmas treat

[Jackie Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just awesome totally fantastic!

[Holly Timmis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Christmassy Story ☃️☃️

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! Made me giggle more than once. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, which is narrated by the author, while wrapping Christmas gifts and doing your Christmas baking. ❤

[Nicole Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and sweet Christmas story, full of misheif and Christmas magic

[Mel Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute story, great to read over the festive period, loved it as much as our youngest.

[Sen - Sen 💚✨💚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very intriguing but quite short for my liking

[Sen - Sen Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very intriguing but quite short for my liking

[Gail Gentile · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughters enjoyed it, me not so much. I found it missing the wit and charm snd humour ofothers I've read.

[Emma Sadler]

Brilliant little Christmas themed book for kids. The writing was funny and had me laughing out loud a few times.

[Stephen Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read for the family across the festive season.

[Elease · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly, short listen on a car ride with my 11-year-old son. We enjoyed it.

[Millie Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always with this author his book always have me on the edge of my reading place with twists and turns

[Johnny Macpherson Laidlaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

really fantastic sequel

[Etain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good 👍

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023 Review 126. Secrets of a Christmas Elf by Ben Miller

Page Count : 211

The 3rd book in this series is once again written as a series of diary entries, this time not written by Tog, but by Father Christmas's daughter, Holly.

After the attempt to destroy Christmas a year ago, life at the North Pole has gone back to normal, but once again things are about to change.

When Father Christmas is kidnapped, it is up to Holly and Tog to figure out a way to rescue him and get Christmas back on track.

This is another fantastic book and has moments which will make you smile when reading it.

If you like Christmas, then this book will be for you.

5*
*****

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"What would you like for Christmas?"

Delightful Christmas story book for younger children, written and read by Ben Miller. As the festive season approaches, Holly, youngest of Father Christmas' 10 children is hard at work making toys when her dad falls ill. With an evil plot arises to make every day Christmas day, it's down to her to save her whole family and Christmas day itself. Written as her diary, there is adventure, comedy, villains and repetition just right for younger listeners.
Aproximately two hours in length and divided into six handy chapters, this is warmly recommended for the family in the lead up to the 25th December.