Amelia Wishart returns for the final part (part three) of Matt Haig's Christmas series. Illustrations of Chris Mould. I had not read the previous two in the series and which I had read them first. Those are “A Boy Called Christmas,” and “The Girl Who Saved Christmas.” Amelia Wishart is now living with her adoptive parents, Father Christmas and Mother (Mary) Christmas in Elfhelm. However fitting in with Elves is harder than she thought it would be. The adventures continue, but I do not want to ruin them for you. If you are looking to read this, I do recommend you read books one and two first in order to get the full character buildup and the back story. I adore Matt Haig and love all he writes so I will gladly give this a solid 4 star review. Thank you to NG, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for a honest review.

Father Christmas and me was the kind of kid's book that I don't get along with despite me liking the premise. The voice of the MC didn't gel with me and the writing style felt kind of clunky and awkwardly child-like.

And I know, I know. That's a ridiculous criticism to throw at a kid's book, but sometimes when you read a book primarily aimed at children, you feel like you're genuinely experiencing the story from their eyes and sometimes you feel like you're in an imitation.

This felt like an imitation which was disappointing because who doesn't want to love a Christmas book for children that's chock-full of wonder.

This is my first time reading Matt Haig and I simply love his work. It's not often I come across a wonderful children's author that makes me feel the magic I felt when I was young myself. But somehow he captures it. A wonderful read. Even though he's a children's author I still loved reading this book so it is suitable for all ages. Fantastic work and now I am off to read the rest of his collection.

I tried to enjoy this book. An interesting tale all the same. Maybe if I read it on another occassion it will resonate better for me. Some books are like that. Check it out.

The end of Matt Haig's trilogy, Father Christmas and Me is an imaginative story that takes place in a fictional town called Elfhelm. In a previous adventure Amelia helped save Christmas, and now she's the only human living in an elf town. Feeling like an outcast, Amelia struggles with elf school and feels like she doesn't belong. She learns that Father Vogol, the elf that used to rule Elfhelm before Father Christmas, wants to get his power back. Amelia also learns that the Easter Bunny feels resentful since the war with the elves hundreds of years ago. With the help of friends Amelia uses her strengths to overcome challenges and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

"An impossibility is just a possibility you don't understand yet."

The characters are intriguing, filled with personality and emotions. Amelia is likeable, with strengths and flaws, and a wonderful personal growth arc. While doing a little research to write this review I discovered my favourite character, The Truth Pixie, has her own book! I can't wait to read it! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41443051-the-truth-pixie

"There was a reindeer clock in the living room, which was like a cuckoo clock but instead of a cuckoo popping out it was a reindeer. Oh, and it didn’t tell ordinary human time with boring things like ‘six o’clock’ and ‘twenty past nine’. It told elf time, and elf hours were called things like Very Early Indeed and Way Past Bedtime.”

I've read two books by Matt Haig now and I have to say I quite enjoy his writing style. With an exciting pace, Father Christmas and Me is a very fun and festive read for all ages.

"'Books,' said Father Christmas, 'are the greatest gifts of all. Nothing else comes close.'"

Setting: 3.5
Plot: 4
Characters: 4
Writing: 5
Message: 3.5
Overall: 80% 4/5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

*Quotes taken from an ARC copy and subject to change*

This is another amazing Christmas story from Matt Haig! There were funny parts and sad parts. I don’t normally like reading sad stories, especially sad Christmas stories. Many of them seem to pull on your heartstrings. The sad parts of this story were resolved, so I wasn’t left feeling down. I liked the addition of the Easter Bunny in this story. He isn’t the loving bunny that he usually is in stories. Instead he was more of an evil dictator. That was an amusing twist on the holiday story. I also love the Truth Pixie who appeared in this story. She’s so funny because she can only tell the truth and she must answer all questions. I really enjoyed this book! This is a great series for the holidays!

This book makes a nice change from the usual sentimental novels about poor children who don't have a tree or who just want to make money to buy their little brother a special Christmas present. It makes Father Christmas into a three-dimensional character and has plenty of action. The kids will love reading it, although there might be a few English English to American English translations needed. Plus the book has bad rabbits. It's a lot of fun all round.

Was so glad to find a holiday book that was a good fit for older readers. This is going to be a perfect gift for my nephew this Christmas. Illustrations were a great fit to the story. I will be going back to read the other books in this series now.

I am not sure why, but I expected FATHER CHRISTMAS AND ME by Matt Haig to be a short story – maybe even a picture book. Instead, I now realize that although this title could be read alone, it is the third volume in Haig's Christmas trilogy for middle school readers (School Library Journal suggest grades 4 through 6). Haig offers an exciting adventure combined with the tale of a likeable outcast, Amelia, who is too big to easily fit in the elf-sized furniture at school. FATHER CHRISTMAS AND ME is a fun-filled, quick read (although there is a fair bit of political commentary with fake news and trying to "make Easter great again"). Chris Mould's pen and ink illustrations add whimsy and laughter.

I expected nothing less from a Matt Haig book. Even though I haven't read this book's predecessor, I still enjoyed it immensely. It's a great book for kids and adults alike. It also contains lots of worthy quotes which I loved. All in all, it's a perfect Christmas read that will give you fuzzy feelings afterwards.

Father Christmas And Me is a little slow to get going, but once it does it’s a lovely, exciting Christmas story, full of Matt Haig’s usual humanity and wisdom.

In this instalment, Amelia (a human girl from a cruel workhouse now living with Father Christmas) goes to elf school and generally settles into life at Elfhelm. This opening section seemed a little slow to me, even though it is very imaginative and has important things to say about inclusivity. The pace picks up as the wicked Father Vogol begins to publish lies to try to whip up hatred of humans, and we enter another perilous race to save Christmas.

It’s a good read and has some very well-delivered messages about truth and how lies can be used to manipulate people. Perhaps one of Matt Haig’s true targets is revealed just once as Father Vogol says “I will make Elfhelm great again,” and adults will see all sorts of echoes of current political developments. However, it’s not so much a political as a deeply human and ultimately heart-warming story.

For me, this isn’t a true Matt Haig classic like How To Stop Time, but it’s a smashing book for children at Christmas and I can recommend it.

(My thanks to Canongate for an ARC via NetGalley.)

Another magical book, continuing the adventures of Father Christmas, Amelia and Mary in Elfheim and beyond.
The book is whimsical and heartwarming. And a little scary - at least to me and my constant fear of anything bad happening to animals (spoiler: it all ends well!).

"Because words are magic too, and they can contain everything."

I've read many Matt Haig books. His stories seem to always combined fun, humor, and a great storyline, Father Christmas and Me is the same formula mixed with really awesome illustrations created by Chris Mould.

When 11-year-old orphan Amelia Wishart, her cat, Captain Soot, and the kitchen maid, Mary Ethel Winters go to live in Elfhelm - a magical world, Amelia finds a mysterious place filled with school teachers named like the subject they taught, a very loving and happy Father Christmas, and lots and lots of elves who become more than just neighbors to her. The adventures that author Matt Haig sends Amelia and Mary Ethel on are so light-hearted a child will end up dreaming of having those adventures themselves. The characters are memorable, their personalities quirky and turned out to be just up my alley.

Father Christmas and Me returns a child and their parents to a time when Christmas was like a postcard from ages long ago and stories and life were simple and magical.

I believe that children who love the idea of Father Christmas, little pointed-eared elves and a dream of imaginary friends like Amelia will love this book. Children who love to read chapter books will love this bo0k. Children who love fun illustrations will love this book, and Parents who love their children should read this book to them.

I give Father Christmas and Me 5 stars for creativity, magic and just pure fun.

Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 4.2

Imagine that you live with Father Christmas and all of the elves? That would be a blast, right? You would think so but this is exactly where Amelia lives and things aren't always jolly. Things in Elfhelm are a lot different than the human world and Amelia is having some trouble. School is very hard and she doesn't seem to fit in anywhere, but she knows that she can fly a sleigh and she is ready to take that course. She has to wait but when her time finally comes she is ready! On the day of the class the only sleigh left is the brand new (and very expensive - $1,000 chocolate coins), The Blizzard 360. Kip, the sleigh maker, is not thrilled to let Amelia take her up but it is the only one left so he doesn't have a choice. Things seem to be going great until Captain Soot, Amelia's cat, is a stow-a-way on the sleigh and causes Amelia to accidentally wreck the sleigh. She doesn't think it is going to be that big of a deal until Father Vodol, the very mean and unhappy elf, begins telling lies to all of the elves. He says that Amelia did it on purpose and that humans cannot be trusted. Father Vodol is set on ruining Christmas and he even enlists the help of the evil Easter Bunny and his army. What happens when Father Christmas, Mary, Amelia, and the Truth Pixie are captured and about to have death by chocolate? Will there be enough magic to save them and Christmas? Is the Easter Bunny really evil or is this the work of Father Vodol also?

This is the third installment in Matt Haig's Christmas series and he saved the absolute best for last. I have never enjoyed a Christmas story as much as I have these three books. This story is full of action, adventure, drama, suspense, joy, fun, and magic! Do not miss these books, no matter what the season!!

After being saved by Father Christmas in London, Amelia Wishart and her cat, Captain Soot went to live in Elfhelm with Father Christmas and Mary Christmas. Elfhelm is a place hidden from human world and where elves and fairies and even trolls live. But this place isn't all charming for Amelia. The elves can't seem to accept her and she finds it hard to belong. But aside from that, a darker thing is upon Elfhelm, making hope dwindle. An old elf and Easter Bunny threaten not only Amelia's life in Elfhelm, but also Christmas. And it's up to her, her new family and the elves to save it.

This is a very short book, therefore a quick, easy read. I also find the whole story fascinating very engaging. I love Amelia's voice as she narrates the story. I love learning about Father Christmas and Elfhelm. I love how unique things with the elves, their endless singing and usage of words. It's very amusing how they name their things and places too. I also love how Easter Bunny was inserted in the story. I think it's well done.

Though there are some parts that I found a little slow. And though this book seems Christmas-y and magic everywhere, it's not like that at all. Yeah, I said, I find it fascinating and engaging but if you're looking for a Christmas book that can make you wide-eyed in amazement because of magic and fantasy, this book is not what you're looking for. (But I heard the first two books in the series are more magical) But as you can see, I only take out one star in my rating. For me, this issue is just minor.

Overall, I love this book and its message. How hope matters and that impossible is just the same as other bad words. And the Illustrations are so beautiful and perfect for the story.

Also I found such amazing quotes from the book.

I think I would have liked this book more had I known that it was part of a series. I felt like I was dumped into the middle of the story of Amelia, a human in Elfhelm. She is trying to navigate a world in which she really doesn't feel like she belongs. And there are definitely elves who would rather see her gone. Then, the Easter Bunny gets involved....

Three stars
This book comes out October 16
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

This is a brilliant book for reading at Christmas, I read the first half and then bought all 3 Christmas stories by Matt Haig!

Thank you NetGalley, my children will be entertained in the lead up to Christmas

Such a good Christmas themed book. I learned this was part of a series and can't wait to read the rest. This would be a great gift for older kids.

First, thanks to the author and publisher for gifting me a digital ARC of this title via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the illustrations in the book. They are definitely the star of the book and bring the story to life. So whimsical and enjoyable to look at. I'd almost recommend the book just for the pictures. The story was cute and fun, something I could easily see younger readers enjoying. It was a little simplistic and silly for older readers, but I'm not the target audience. I'd recommend this as a fun Christmas book for 2-4th graders especially. I could really see that age enjoying a story of Santa and the funny names and practices from the Elf village.

I loved this book. It is a perfect addition to the series. I can't wait until it comes out so I can add it to my christmas/winter reading shelf!