Lovely Christmas story
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This is a great Christmas story. Tolkien creates a North Pole Wonderland realm for his children in letters sent to them by Father Christmas. In true Tolkien style he creates stories full of new languages, detailed characters, wars between good and evil, and more. The pictures drawn with the letters are charming and detailed, and the book includes copies of the originals. A must read Christmas ensemble.
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North pole tales
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J.R.R. Tolkien was best known for his epic fantasy "Lord of the Rings" and his studies in myth and language. But Tolkien was also the proud dad of four kids -- and he didn't just read "Hobbit" to them at bedtime. Over the course of many years, he wrote and illustrated detailed, whimsical letters from Father Christmas, populated with a clumsy polar bear, elves and goblins.
In these letters, Father Christmas kept the Tolkien children updated with stories about the hijinks at the North Pole -- the slapsticky North Polar Bear and all the things he broke, firework explosions, the discovery of ancient caves full of old cave drawings, and battles with the goblins. (When Father Christmas couldn't write, his Elvish secretary filled in)
When reading these letters, it's hard to imagine any luckier kids in the Christmases of the '20s and '30s. After all, how many children gets detailed letters and pictures from Father Christmas -- complete with special stamps? Tolkien's love for his kids is evident in the care he took to create these letters, and the affection that comes from "Father Christmas" that is written in.
Tolkien's old-school style of writing is a bit formal and very correct, but he tosses in comments of exasperation, amusement, and in the last letter, a sort of sad resignation that children will grow up. Maybe it is because they were given to real children, not intended for publication, that the letters are only a little cutesy, and never cloying.
And of course, Tolkien's detailed, colorful, fantastical, intricate pictures are what make the letters come alive; you can imagine the Tolkien kids eagerly examining the pictures as well as the written words. They aren't terribly realistic -- Father Christmas never looks quite real -- but their detailed fantastical charm makes up for it, such as the murals on Father Christmas's walls, with suns, moons, stars and trees.
Tolkien also sprinkles the stories with things that his kids were probably intrigued by, like prehistoric cave paintings, fireworks, and a comic bear who causes all kinds of mayhem. And fans of Tolkien's fantasy works will probably enjoy checking out things like the invented Elf language (as written by the secretary Ilbereth) and goblin language. Tolkien includes a letter from the North Polar Bear in the latter language.
"Letters From Father Christmas" won't exactly make you believe in Santa Claus again, but it is one of the prettiest and most charming Christmas picture books out there. Definitely recommended -- and not just for Tolkien fans too.
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Just Imagine a REPLY to the Letter You Send Santa!!
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This is a really lovely little book with Professor Tolkien's characteristically magical water color and ink illustrations and his sweet-natured, witty commentaries about life at the North Pole. Meet Father Christmas on his home turf and get to know his friend Great Polar Bear. Through a series of letters that Father Christmas sent to the Tolkien children we are treated to an insider's look at all the magical preparations for Christmas as well as a glimpse of what life is like for Father Christmas during the rest of the year. This book is a fun, hands on treat for the imagination with its realistic envelopes and letters that you can actually remove and read for yourself. These enchanting letters were, of course, delivered by Elf Messenger and if you are lucky perhaps you will have a copy of this book delivered to you or someone you love.
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Light Holiday Fare -- Good for Small Children
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Entertaining letters written by Tolkien for his children. Out of these type of activities grew his masterpiece - THE LORD OF THE RINGS. He wrote these stories for his children, whilst involved with the more serious work of his mythology. But the culmination of his children's fiction - THE HOBBIT, was so successful that it was published and Unwin wanted a sequel. That said, these letters are good, and on the same quality as ROVERANDOM and FARMER GILES. Both of those are abundant in word play. These are fascinating, and good holiday stories. The chief complaint I have with these are they were not all published. As I understand it, some of the letters that are published are lacking the entire letter. However, the selection of 1925 to 1939, although for some reason it seems I read it continued on to 1945. That might be in error. The letter in 1920, only a note, is included in facsimile, but for some reason the letters of 1921 to 1924 are missing. A severe misfortune. However, if you are looking for light holiday fare (all of his children's fiction is light fare, with the possible exception of THE HOBBIT), this is the place for it. Afterward, read ROVERANDOM and FARMER GILES OF HAM. Narnia is better than both, of course.
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Wonderfully imaginative!
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A truly beautiful book that inspired new Christmas traditions in our family.
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