The Christmas Mink: And Other December Tales from the North Woods

by John-Richard Thompson, Jon Robyn (Illustrator)

The Christmas Mink and Other December Tales from the North Woods brings the spirit of the season alive. In this whimsical collection of Christmas stories and poems from the snowy north woods of New England, see the season in a new light and find the holiday spirit in unlikely places—in Siberia, from the tail of the Christmas Comet, or even a tree in your own yard. In the title tale, ""The Christmas Mink,"" young Will, worried about finding a gift for his generous mother, receives a miraculous gift courtesy of a talking mink. In ""Coal,"" hapless elves must travel to Siberia to gather Santa’s supply of coal for his list of VBKs (very bad kids). Join curmudgeonly old woodsmen, living ornaments, a congress of talking animals, a horde of helpful mice, and one grandiose moose in these rousing December tales certain to please both cynic and celebrant alike.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thompson's The Christmas Mink was an engaging collection of fun and heartwarming holiday stories. This collection presented all the things that remind one of Christmas in a refreshingly new way. Although humorous in parts, the two tales involving Jeremiah the elf were my least favorite stories, but only because of the heartwarming nature of the others like The Christmas Mink, Mrs. Cavanaugh Has a Cat, Old Silver Thing, Tobias, Juniper Dodd and the Rein-Critters, and A Timberman's Tree. These stories are both entertaining and also remind us that the magic of Christmas and moments spent with family and friends are what is truly important during the holidays. The poems, detailed illustrations, and layout of the book from cover to authors bio are all well thought out. The Christmas Mink will undoubtedly be a Christmas favorite in my family for years to come.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A First Reads win.

I really liked the poems. Loved a couple of the stories. Liked most of the stories. Could have skipped one or two stories--nothing wrong with them, just kind of nothing for me. But most of it was a great Christmas collection. I took it home to share with my family and they loved it! I think our collective favorite was the Reincritters; I have a feeling it will be read for many Christmases to come.

Thanks for sharing your stories! (I liked the explanation on how the book came to be.) It was definitely fun to have an all-new, completely unique set of Christmas stories.

Oh, and the illustrations are wonderful!

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just won a copy. Wahoo!

Nothing wrong with it, but nothing spectacular. Lots of Christmasy stories about talking animals, Santa's elves, etc. There were a few poems that were great, though, and my 3 year old REALLY liked them. She'd find the book and flip through pages until she found the poems, then beg me to read them.

[Uriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this a firt reads win and I have really enjoyed it. The stories are whimsical and full of Christmas spirit. Not only are the stories well-written, the illustrations are wonderfully done and give a real life to each page. This will certainly become a staple in our family Christmas library. Now I just want to learn more about Jeremiah Blizzard and his unfortunate adventures.

[BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. It had been awhile since I read an actual book with paper (Kindle addict), let alone a collection of Christmas stories, and I thoroughly enjoyed this. The stories were warm and whimsical, I really liked the poetry. And the drawings are so beautiful. They really add an old world feel to these charming stories.

[Karmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book spoke to my rather ambivalent feelings of the holidays. 2009 being a year more stressful than I can ever recall.

The stories are somewhat bittersweet, but better for it. Hope is available even in the most dire of situations.

I will be writing a thank you note to John-Richard Thompson (snail mail).

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rollicking good time. Fun and whimsical, hearfelt and at times touching, the Christmas Mink is a collection of Christmas good cheer. I can't wait to read it to my kids and watch them marvel at both the stories and the absolutely amazing illustrations.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great whimsical short stories for the Christmas holidays! Love Jeremiah Blizzard the Elf!! I have a feeling this will come out every year at the holidays for a reread. I couldn't help but chuckle through it!

[Charissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Each story in this collection of Christmas tales was so unique and engaging... I enjoyed this book a lot and I plan to read it again in future Christmas seasons. So glad I ran across it!

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just won this on first reads

[Thiry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful group of imaginative Christmas tales enhanced with the artowrk of Jon Rubyn. It would be a fun read aloud for older children.

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not your usual Christmas Stories. I feel this would be a good book for parents to read to their children as be time stories. Some stories are a bit longer than other but that is okay.