The Magic Sleigh Bell

by W. Peter Elliott

The Magic Sleigh Bell continues to entertain multiple generations of Christmas enthusiasts with its timeless, whimsical story of believing. The Magic Sleigh Bell is a delightful Christmas novella easily read in a couple of hours during one sitting or enjoyed by sharing a chapter or just a few pages at bedtime in the days leading up to Christmas. It tells the story of a young brother and sister who find a tiny bell while raking the leaves. The 7-year-old sister believes the bell must have fallen from Santa's sleigh and rolled down their roof. Her 10-year-old brother, however, is at that age when he's not sure if he still believes. The discovery marks the beginning of their efforts to get their struggling family into the Christmas spirit. The story unfolds as the children find out who is right and who is wrong, and where the bell really came from. Young readers, especially, delight in the aspect of the story which features Santa Claus and the elves. However, it's not just a children's book, as it also deals with the brother and sister's family and community and their Christmas traditions. It's an old-fashioned celebration which adults (parents and grandparents) find they can enjoy from a different perspective than their children. The Magic Sleigh Bell is a fun, family-oriented story with a touch of suspense and a very happy ending that joyfully reinforces a belief in Santa Claus. It makes a wonderful addition to any collection of Christmas books. Its simple homage to established Christmas folklore in a contemporary setting has a timeless quality which will make The Magic Sleigh Bell a holiday tradition for years to come. The Magic Sleigh Bell achieved National Bestseller status in the Canadian publishing industry with its print edition. Please note that the print edition is a Trade Paperback, using white 70 lb. bookstock paper, which is what is used in quality hard cover books. The cover is a thicker paper with a mylar coating for increased durability, ensuring years of enjoyment at Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Holiday, Ebooks, Contemporary

123 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 1996

Reviews

[Eddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, it fell a little flat for me. The story wasn't all that original, and the magical aspects were a little corny. The ending a bit rushed and slapstick. In the end, I didn't hate it, but I won't go around recommending it.

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read. At first I was thinking is was more of a children's story; but once I got into it I realized that the material was not for children. I had some misconceptions going in; believing it was going to be a "fluff" read, it definitely was not.

I enjoyed this book because it is a book about love; not the romantic kind of love, but the bigger LOVE. It is a story about a family and a community. It is a story about believing in something that has no physicality and the faith of that belief even when general society, and sometimes even family, scoffs at them.

It is a well written story with believable characters in anywhere USA.

[The_5ft_reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute Xmas story about family, love and believing in Christmas magic 🎄

[Chad Barrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 year old Travis spots a small bell among the leaves
he and his seven year old sister Natalie are raking up. Natalie believes it came from Santa’s sleigh but Travis doesn’t. Later on, Travis runs away from home after his father yelled at him but he was captured by a mean old man who used him to clean up his house.

His parents get the town to help them locate their missing son but Natalie meets an elf who came to get the bell after Travis rang it. The elf promises her that Santa will help find her missing brother and when he discovers his parents still love him even after he ran away he rings the bell over and over. Santa and the elf find him and Santa causes some Christmas magic that enables Travis to escape and be reunited with his family once again.

This is a wonderful story about the magic of Christmas and the coming together of a town to
find a lost boy! I enjoyed it and recommend it as a yearly reading to remind us of the truly magical reason we celebrate Christmas-remembering the birth of our Savior and the love He and we should have year round towards all those we meet! How that love brings everyone together for a common cause!

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may be absolutely perfect for some young readers (and older readers with young children). It wasn't perfect for me, though.

I do enjoy young adult books and even children's books. However, this one just got to the point that I had to DNF it because I didn't find it interesting enough to keep going for even a quick read.

It is essentially divided into two parts. I'll call these the North Pole parts and the non-North Pole parts (to keep from giving anything away). What I learned from reading it is that I would have enjoyed a book based most heavily on the North Pole parts, but I found the non-North Pole parts to simply not be that compellingly written. I stopped reading it when I realized that I didn't care enough about the resolution to keep going.

It may be someone's favorite Christmas read, but it wasn't mine.

[Rose Mcclarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim has been out of work for a year, and he is struggling to find his Christmas spirit, in fact he's been really cranky, and His son Travis and daughter Natalie seem to catch the worse of it. Trais runs away thinking his parents don't love him anymore, he gets taken by a bad man who wants to use him for slave labor Meanwhile Jim, his wife Susan and their neighbors have organized a massive search for Travis and an elf is looking for the bell Travis found in fact both he and Santa get involved in the search for Travis but after a long convoluted trip Travis is rescued and the bell saved. Wonderful Christmas Story. Great Read.

[Debyi Kucera (Book&BuJo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Magic Sleigh Bell by W. Peter Elliott is a medium-paced story about family and connection, about believing in something you cannot see, such as the Christmas spirit.

The writing style is geared toward children/middle grade, yet the content is better suited for young adult. This could be a book for younger readers if this is read as a family to discuss some of the more difficult elements in the story.

Honestly, for me, the book fell a bit flat. I can see how others will enjoy it, but I felt it was cheesy and rushed.

Check trigger warnings before reading.

[Alice Anne Bluhm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Christmas

This story was not what I expected.It was BETTER!! Christmas,elves,reindeer and,of course,Santa Claus made it the best Christmas story I have read in a long time. This author needs to be read and followed.I recommend reading this series and remembering what it was like being a child at Christmas! Merry Christmas to one and all (Happy Hanukkah,Kwanza,too) Enjoy your holiday season!

[Sharon Samms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Keeping the Christmas spirit alive through the eyes of Natalie and Trevor is the basis of this story. Although Travis doesn't think he believes in Santa anymore, he 'll be surprised to find out differently.

[Michelle Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

A lovely Christmas story. A sweet treat that I enjoyed reading. A family filled with love even in difficult times, and a happy ending to please everyone.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

great feel good story, it is a must read for Christmas.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good Christmas story and a quick read.

[Debra]

I would recommend that everyone should read this book. It is absolutely wonderful. A story to read every Christmas. Fabulous.

[Lynda Langan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Magic of the First Order

I felt like a kid all over again and recommended this story for anyone! Brings back the wonderment of childhood.

[Justine Kritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, cute, feel-good Christmas read

[Janet Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story for kids

I enjoyed the storytelling, which included some tension...but not too much that kids wouldn't enjoy the story. A fun Santa story...

[Lisa Sandberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little short story about believing in the magic of the Christmas season.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic Sleigh Bell by W. Peter Elliott – A sweet middle grade level Christmas novella perfect for bedtime stories in December! Happy Holiday Reading!

[Barb Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic Sleigh Bell.the

Excellent. I love stories of Santa, Elves and the Magic of Christmas. This is a well written short story. Enjoy!

[NESKA · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25🌟🌟🌟

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic Sleigh Bell
Story starts out with Travis and his sister Natalie and they are raking leaves when they find an object. They claim it's one of the bells from Santa's sleigh from last year.
Jim, the dad is looking for work and in no mood to celebrate the holidays. Susan tries to keep the kids busy and out of trouble.
While the parents are at an adult party the kids decide to follow tradition and put the decorations up throughout the house....the mess when the parents come home and they punish the kids til dinner is ready...
Travis decides he's never gonna get banished to his room again...
Story also follows Dasher and others at the North Pole and how they will take a spin around to try to find that bell...
Things get a bit out of hand but Natalie may have the answer...
Great story, really scary at times...

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Magic Sleigh Bell is a story of a family struggling at Christmas as the father is out of work. The 7-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son are raking leaves and find a bell, which the girl believes must have been Santa's sleigh bell that had fallen in the eaves. The boy doesn't really believe, but he keeps the bell. As things happen in the family right before Christmas, Santa and his elves have to use a little magic to help him believe again.

[Nola Arganbright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Christmas story for children and adults. The story is a great reminder of many of the things that make up the Christmas Spirit and Season. Sleigh bells, reindeer, Santa, elves, snow and the love that spreads through families at this time of year. It is a strong storyline although I admit being a little uncomfortable during a scene where Travis wanders from home. There is a strong moral content but parents should give the story a quick review before sharing it with their children.

[Keziah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the story, reading it right before Christmas.
It was good, but sometimes it just seemed too scripted, too robotic. I found that the characters had too little difficuties solving their problems. That being said, it was still enjoyable.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Christmas story!!

[Kristen Hope Mazzola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Christmas story that can be enjoyed at any age!