Published By: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Pages: 40
Released On: 05/10/2023
Reading Age: 4-7
This charming tale tells the story of little Nicky Claus, who wanted to make every child happy, if only just for one day.
Nicky Claus works with his three uncles in the Claus Brothers Toy Emporium. Uncle Hanz makes the toys, Uncle Louis checks them and Uncle Levi adds the… what’s the scientific term for it? Ah, yes. The magic! For each toy made at the Emporium has a special sparkle that means it will find the child it is perfect for.
One day, Nicky notices a young girl with her face pressed up to the glass. When she disappears, he follows her and finds her living on the streets with lots of other children, none of whom can afford a toy. Nicky vows that for one night only, every child will have the toy of their dreams and – with the help of his uncles and some flying reindeer – the legend of Father Christmas is born.
This magical and heartwarming story from best-selling author-illustrator David Litchfield is a true festive treat centred on kindness, generosity and looking after each other.
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Amazon puts this book at an audience of 4-7 years old. And I understand why. But let me just tell you that this 30-year-old thoroughly enjoyed it.
I believe David is the illustrator as well as the author, and the illustrations are just gorgeous. So full of detail, so rich in colour, so warming and inviting, you just want to step into the pages.
I am a big fan of stories – books, TV, film – that look how Santa Claus game into being. It’s a theme I can get on board with time after time after time.
It’s 40 pages, so it’s not a big commitment. It is mostly images with a few lines on each page, but it’s enough. It doesn’t’ overwhelm the reader. Smaller children can get the story from the pictures whilst older children can read the story. It is very simple, easy enough for youngsters to understand. It won’t cause too much issue for older children and adults, but then again it’s to written for them. And yet we still get the magic on offer.
As you get older, the magic of Christmas starts to fade, and only really comes back when you’re around children. And it’s through them that you see what the true meaning of the festivities are about. It’s easy to be cynical and worried and anxious in this day and age, but its during those few days that we try to put that on hold and enjoy the magic. Which is hard, especially for those with not a lot of money or with no family. And so it’s important that we look after our neighbour. And that’s what this book shows. We help those less fortunate and they’ll help up in kind. That Christmas is not all about money and food and hundreds of presents, the latest gadgets and toys. It’s about friends and family and love, and I think that really comes across in this book.
A very cute story that I think could become a classic sat on the festive shelf alongside Alex T Smith’s The Grumpus, and Dr Seuss’s The Grinch.
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