Super cute! Readers of all ages will love this Christmas tale. Amelia Wishart is a brave young girl who gives hope to Father Christmas when things look bleak. Her rebelliousness is what I found to be her greatest asset. I enjoyed the illustrations in here, and I know others will too. Hope is the main ingredient that the world needs more of. In this book, you'll find good creatures and not so good ones - humans included. This is perfect for the holidays.

She's working as a chimney sweep, just like her mother used to. Her mother is ill. Last Christmas she wanted gifts and she got them. This year she just asks for help for her mother. The problem is that Santa never shows up and her mother dies. Then she's stuck in a workhouse and that's all she gets to do. It's hard to keep hope alive under continual work and punishment.

Knopf Books for Young Readers and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published October 31st.

Santa is having his own problems. The toys were ready, he was ready to head out for Christmas and the whole village came under a troll attack! They'd signed a peace agreement three years ago but it didn't seem to make much difference. They even destroyed the sleigh!

Now no one believes in Christmas and he's still trying to recover from the troll attack. His magic isn't working. And there's a traitor in the village...

You find yourself worrying about Amelia and Santa both. It's a good thing Santa has Blitzen to help him. I found this an enjoyable read with lots of excitement for young readers. Why not read about how Christmas started before the big day?

This is an entertaining, juvenile aged holiday book. I love the spirit and story. I recommend this book for your holiday collection.

My son AND daughter loved this book, it was funny, easy to read and they both finished in one sitting. Highly recommended - for all ages!

This was an adorable book and perfect for families to read during the holidays.

There will be many things children and adults will find familiar such as elves, the North Pole, a Scrooge-like character, the act of hope powering the magic of Christmas and of course Father Christmas himself.

A follow up to Matt Haig’s other book, A Boy Called Christmas which gave the origins for how Father Christmas came to be, this provides a beautiful continuity to his story. The illustrations that accompany his magical plot are absolutely delightful as the story comes alive before your eyes. It’s the kind of book that could, and should, easily be made into a heartwarming Holiday movie.

Perfect for the young and young at heart we’re treated to a story that grabs at the heartstrings as young Amelia who has always been full of hope and optimism must navigate her first Christmas as an orphan. Haig does a great job of taking themes we’ve seen before in holiday tales and wiping the dust off to create something new you’ll want to read with your kids.