Matt Haigh invents a brand new Christmas story in his tale of how a weedy little boy called Nikolas became the jolly bearded figure we know as Father Christmas. It’s one of the many achievements of his book that readers will want to hold it the truth. Nikolas and his father are poor – Nikolas has only ever had two presents, and one of them was a turnip – but he still understands that happiness is more important than money. This is proved when his father heads off on a money-making expedition to find Elfhelm, the village of the elves, leaving Nikolas with his nasty aunt. Nikolas follows his father and thereby meets elves, becomes magic, befriends the reindeer Blitzen, acquires the trademark red hat, and renews his determination to spread joy and good will to all. It’s a wonderful adventure, exciting, often very funny though not without its darker moments, and never sentimental.
You are about to read the true story of Father Christmas. It's a story that proves nothing is impossible. A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow and a boy called Nikolas, who isn't afraid to believe in magic. From the winner of The Smarties Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award. With enchanting illustrations by Chris Mould.
The most evergreen, immortal Christmas story for decades STEPHEN FRY
Read it! SUNDAY TIMES
Terrific ... an instant classic GUARDIAN
Perfect for Christmas in every way INDEPENDENT
A glorious mix of fairytale, folklore and fun FRANCESCA SIMON
The Christmas book of the year THE SUN
Matt Haig puts the Happy back into Christmas JEANETTE WINTERSON
Every bit as funny and poignant as a mouse that has never seen cheese but still believes in it! FRANK COTTRELL BOYCE
The funny (and heartbreaking) history of Ho, ho, ho! My children loved it too YANN MARTEL
Will do for Father Christmas what Christopher Nolan did for Batman INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY
It will delight adults and children alike and has future classic written all over it THE BOOKSELLER
Author
About Matt Haig
Matt Haig is the number one bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive and Notes on a Nervous Planet and six highly acclaimed novels for adults, including How to Stop Time, The Humans and The Radleys. He has also written many books for children, including most recently the Sunday Times bestseller, The Truth Pixie, and he has won the Blue Peter Book Award, the Smarties Book Prize and been nominated three times for the Carnegie Medal. He has sold more than a million books in the UK and his work has been translated into over forty languages.
