A Northern Christmas

by Rockwell Kent

First published in 1941, A Northern Christmas is Rockwell Kent's uplifting account of the 1918 Christmas he spent with his 8-year old son in a one-room, moss-caulked log cabin on a remote Alaskan Island.

Published here in its original format, with Kent's striking illustrations, this charming keepsake edition is sure to delight a new generation of readers.

Genres: Christmas, Short Stories, Nonfiction

34 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

Rockwell Kent (June 21, 1882 – March 13, 1971) was an American painter, printmaker, illustrator, and writer.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but delightful Christmas story. It was originally part of a longer book in which the author published his journal of living in a timber shack on an island off the coast of Alaska during 1918-19, accompanied by his young son (8/9 years old). The island’s only other human inhabitant is Olsen, a 70-year-old Swede and former gold prospector, for whom Christmas is normally just another day. The three have dinner together and exchange gifts that reflect their materially impoverished circumstances. The simplest Christmas Day imaginable, but also the warmest, and one that was rich in terms of experience.

The story can be read in 10-15 minutes.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1918 - 19, the artist Rockwell Kent and his 8 year old son, also named Rockwell, spent a year on Fox Island, off the coast from Seward, Alaska. This slim book is an excerpt from Wilderness: a journal of quiet adventure in Alaska which I haven’t read yet. It’s an account of the days leading up to Christmas, 1918, and the preparations that they made to celebrate Christmas Day with their only neighbour, an old Sourdough (Klondike gold prospector) named Olson. Their excitement is palpable and their joy on the actual day brought tears to my eyes. To quote the author, I suppose the greatest festivals of our lives are those at which we dance ourselves. You need nothing from outside - not even illusion.

A very short read but sumptuously illustrated, this would make a lovely Christmas gift.

[John Mccullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early in Rockwell Kent’s brilliant career he took his 8-year-old son to Fox Island in Alaska to spend the Winter, sharpen his drawing skills and provide a different education for his son. A larger book (Wilderness) was the complete description of this wonderful Winter, but a small portion concerning their Christmas festivities was abstracted to form this delightful small book.

Almost each page is illustrated with Kent’s Alaska drawings to accompany his journal memories of this Christmas which was unique for him and his son – and their old Jack London-era Swedish gold-miner landlord and neighbor, Mr. Olson. The book is charming and recalls Thoreau’s Winter days in Walden, Concord. Simply-written and strikingly-illustrated, this is a delightful book and would make a wonderful Christmas present for anyone.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect to read on a cold evening in December!

2021
Kent kept a journal during the year (1918) that he spent with his 8 yo son, living in a modified goat shed in Alaska. One of these days, I need to read the book that was based on his journal: Wilderness: A Journal of Quiet Adventure in Alaska.

Northern Christmas is an excerpt from the journal. RK's strong and distinctive art enhances the story.

2024
This is one of my favorite Christmas stories. I never tire of reading it.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a first edition that was given to my mom as a Christmas present. Along with the bible story & A Christmas Carol, I read it every year.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so glad I bought this cozy Christmas book at my libraries book sale.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excerpted from his book Wilderness, A Northern Christmas was originally written in 1918 on a remote island near Seward, Alaska. Rockwell Kent and his son had escaped from New York to a simpler, saner lifestyle. Unbridled by the expectations of society, editors, and his wife, he was able to focus on his work and the importance of the very basics of life. He returned to New York refreshed and better able to draw and write, and be a husband and father, within its society.

The story tells of a heartwarming Christmas put together with available materials and Kent’s own creativity. Presents are handmade or salvaged, dinner is simple but announced with an elegant hand-drawn menu. Their guest is the owner and sole occupant of the island, a 70 year old Swede who has never celebrated Christmas. And the tree is from the wilds. Kent’s delightful line drawings accompany the text, echoing the nostalgic charm of our world 100 years ago.

A wonderful little Christmas book, suitable for gifting, as was its original intent. Great for those who live in cold climes, or who resonate with them at Christmas.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice Christmas gift from the shelves of Kim Heacox. A little Christmas story told in the form of journal entries from a winter spent in Alaska in 1918.

[Laura Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely little book, and such beautiful illustrations -- this is actually an excerpt from _Wilderness_, but delightful to have on its own.

[Kiel Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing as charming as its hand-drawn decoration.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s always nice to spend the holiday reading something cozy. I have recently become very interested in the art of Rockwell Kent so I decided to pick up A Northern Christmas this year, an excerpt from a larger work of his, Wilderness.

This covers the Christmas Kent spent with his son and 70-year-old Olsen, the other resident of remote Alaskan Fox Island in 1918 as they fled the sorrows of war and modern life, at a turning point in Rockwell’s artistic career, looking for something wholesome and pure. In that respect, Kent highlights a common theme when times are tough- the idea of ‘going back’ to a simpler time, something that we have certainly seen a lot in the past few years. The message is appealing due to its anti-consumerism message in exchange for one's family and ‘making do’, but, for me, it also rang a little hollow, maybe because that message itself has, in recent times, also become so commodified. I am looking forward to reading the fuller work, this story is from in the future.

Sidenote- he also kept referring to his son as Rockwell, which was confusing until I realized they both shared the same name.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short excerpt about Christmas in Alaska from a larger work (Wilderness). While I’m usually not a fan of “selections from” books padded with artwork, it’s Kent’s, so obviously, it’s perfection and makes me long for the original publication. I’m glad I caught this reprint, but could they have tried to use paper that suits the printing? Glossy, magazine stock is NOT the medium to highlight his art. I’m imagining the original as something closer to the paper in his edition of Moby Dick…or like a thinner letterpress.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short nostalgic story of Christmas and the meaning of friendship. An excerpt from a larger work, a story of a father, son and an old friend spending Christmas on an island in Alaska in 1918.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sublime... The christmas I need.

[Bethany (CozyLittleBookNook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about what it the second most important thing about Christmas, being with the ones you love no matter were that may be.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful small treasure. Given to me from the estate of a friend who collected Rockwell Kent it is a special remembrance of a special friend.

[Bob Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple short book on Kent’s sojourn in the Alaska wilderness.