Nicholas

by Julie Lane, Hokie (Illustrator)

Nicholas the orphan becomes Nicholas the woodcarver, whose job is to create a gift for every child in his small village on the Baltic Sea. As he grows older, explanations for many beloved Christmas traditions are woven into the story as the true spirit of Christmas is revealed. This is the same wonderful story of Christmas traditions as the original Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. The only change is the title.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure! I so enjoyed reading it aloud to my family by the glow of the Christmas tree each evening before bedtime. Love how creative the author was with the character of Nicholas/Santa Clause and the sweet, down to earth stories about his life, which made him feel like a friend and neighbor. Will definitely be rereading it to my kids in the years to come ❤️

[Kathy Scarnecchia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My last book of 2023 is the one that filled me with Christmas spirit. I was nine when I first read it. I knew there was no Santa Claus but, this book made his story so beautiful. My young self began to believe again. Never give up believing.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was packed away in storage for over a decade, and I am happy to have found it back (and happier still that, in my opinion, the story holds up well). This book means a lot to me because my mom had bought it for me when I was starting to hear rumors about Santa being "real" or not, and this book helped me (and inspired me) tremendously.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pulling out books for my grandchildren's Christmas visit, I realized I'd never read this book all the way through. Enjoyable: a sweet and gentle account of Santa's story that won't crush any beliefs.

The chapter about nomadic travelers included a term that is now considered derogatory--although the characters themselves were depicted in a positive light. If this book rises to the top with the kids (so many Christmas books, so little time), I'll share today's perspective.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable 1930's Christmas story. I really loved the illustrations. It's dated, of course. And I could have done without the last chapter. But over all, I loved it. Wish I had known about it when my girls were little.

[Anne-marie Watts]

I favorite Christmas story!

[Margaret Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely delightful book. It’s now a tradition for every Christmas. Young or older, you will love it.

[Betsy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all loved this so much as a family read-aloud. I hope we’ll read it every year.

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I drank too much whisky and bought the wrong book. I decided to read it anyway. It’s definitely a good book for children even though a young boy loses his mom, dad, and sister in the 1st chapter.

[Sashafenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super cute book to read with children! We loved how Nicolas was such a kind soul, and always had a desire to help everyone he knew.

[Kathryn Teissier · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite holiday tradition!

[Ann Checketts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my kids and we all loved it. Beautiful, dear story of Nicholas.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great story. I have to say I did not like the ending but everything did turn out okay.

[Janene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't write about what I most loved from this story without spoiling the ending for any interested readers.  Hard to find, I ended up buying my own copy and I'm happy to lend it out. For hard core believers only!  I loved it.

From a favorite chapter:

"There, that's just to show you how unimportant I think money is compared to the love of a little child, which you might have. Did you ever try to make Katje's eyes twinkle at you? No, you only see the bright glitter of this stuff, and so her eyes are sad, pitiful things when you look into them. Did you ever feel her warm little hand tuck itself into yours? No. Your fingers are satisfied with the cold touch of gold. I pity you, old man, but don't you dare touch that stocking or I'll make you sorry for yourself as well. And now," he finished his tirade and brushed some soot from one eye, "now, will you please show me the way to the door. I don't intend to climb up that chimney. I'll never get this suit clean again!" (95)
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Dec 2022
It was time to read this again... as one of our 12 books of Christmas. Annie has really loved it and I catch the older boys listening in too. It isn't as magical as I remember from the last time we read it, but that's probably just because the kids are growing up. It's a little long, takes a few nights for my voice to get through it, but absolutely a favorite book at Christmastime!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be one of the most classic styles of Christmas stories around. A beautifully written story of a little orphaned boy, Nicholas, who grows up to become a true humanitarian of goodwill and love.

I will be honest here, this is the first time I have read this story. Yesterday I opened this book and found the transcription in the front page, "Victoria, Merry First Christmas. Love, Poppy" dated December 25, 1990. This book was the first Christmas gift my daughter received from her now passed grandfather. She was only 2 months old that Christmas and I suppose as a new parent, I kept a lot of books on her shelves that I never pulled off to read. This being one.

Twenty-one years later, I have taken the opportunity to read this story for myself and will be sure that this one is passed along to all my nieces and nephews (perhaps next Christmas). Every parent should sit their child next to them and read this tale.

Here is a story that will introduce you and your children to how Nicholas first started making toys, how he got that special sled, the reason stockings were hung, how Nicholas became the owner of eight lovely reindeer, why he squeezed down a chimney, the reason for a decorated tree and more. This simply brings together all the history we enjoy as our holiday into one of meaning.

[Barbara]

My Dad always said there will always be a Santa Claus as long as there are children and thats what this is about. I do Believe, don't you??

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, fun read a loud chapter book for the Christmas season.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my boy every Christmas just as my Father read it to us. It is a Christmas classic. Very sentimental and moving.

[Mary Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this lovely book every year at Christmas.

Merged review:

This was my mother's book. She would read it to my brother and I every Christmas

[Becca Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet story. I was kinda "meh" about the final chapter but the rest of it was darling. A great read-aloud!