A Boy Called Christmas Movie Tie-In Edition

By: Matt Haig

Narrated by: Stephen Fry

2018 Odyssey Honor

2018 ALSC Notable Children’s Recording

Roald Dahl meets Elf in this warmhearted Christmas caper about the boy who would one day be Santa Claus, from the New York Times best-selling author of The Midnight Library.

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Kristen Wiig, Maggie Smith and Henry Lawfull!

Eleven-year-old Nikolas - nicknamed "Christmas" - has received only one toy in his life: a doll carved out of a turnip. But he's happy with his turnip doll, because it came from his parents who love him. Then one day his father goes missing, and Nikolas must travel to the North Pole to save him.

Along the way, Nikolas befriends a surly reindeer, bests a troublesome troll, and discovers a hidden world of enchantment in the frozen village of Elfhelm. But the elves of Elfhelm have troubles of their own: Christmas spirit and goodwill are at an all-time low, and Nikolas may be the only person who can fix things - if only he can reach his father before it's too late....

Sparkling with wit and warmth, A Boy Called Christmas is a Christmas classic-in-the-making from acclaimed author Matt Haig.

"Irresistibly readable. Destined to become a Christmas and anytime-before-or-after-Christmas classic!" (Chris Grabenstein, New York Times best-selling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library)

“The definitive (and funny) history of ho, ho, ho! My children loved it.” (Yann Martel, best-selling author of Life of Pi)

“The most evergreen, immortal Christmas story to be published for decades.” (Stephen Fry)

"Humorous and heartfelt, A Boy Called Christmas will grow your heart three sizes and make you believe in magic." (Liesl Shurtliff, New York Times best-selling author of Rump)

"Matt Haig has an empathy for the human condition, the light and the dark of it, and he uses the full palette to build his excellent stories.” (Neil Gaiman, Newbery-winning author of The Graveyard Book)

©2016 Matt Haig (P)2016 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Like stockings hung by the fire, this spellbinding opus may well become a yuletide tradition." (Kirkus)

Family Christmas Tradition

Our family listened to this for the first time last year (2019) when my kids were 6 and 9 years old. We all absolutely loved it, and my oldest suggested we listen to it every year at Christmastime. So, we started again at the beginning of Advent this year, and have just finished again. Still just as enjoyable as the first time! Well done all around. Story, narrator, everything!

Loved the narrator and the story

The narrator was amazing great enthusiasm and storytelling. The book was good would say it would be more for kids 8-10 then my age but still a great read for Christmas.

beautiful story

this is such a beautifully written story and perspective about the making of Father Christmas. it is by far the best version that puts the spirit of hope and giving and belief in the possibilities that haven't happened yet.

JUST EXCELLENT!

I really cannot express how delightful and insightful this story is. Fun to listen to, subtle lessons taught. A MUST to listen to.

A story to state and love

Wonderful premise . Engaging story. Full of joy and sadness , true frindship , and the love and faith of a little boy from Finland.

Funny Moments, Great Narrator

Listened to this with my kids, after reading it myself last year. We loved it!

Amazing

This has got to be one of my all time favourite Christmas stories. Full of wonder, surprise, heartfelt, yet some sadness and despair.

Stephen Fry brings life to the book with his as usual, great theatrical voicing of the story.

First time I heard the book was with my younger son and he loved it. We listened to it again this year with the rest of the family and it was just as wonderful the second time around.

cute Christmas story

I liked the narrator's voices of the characters and his accent. It really added to the story.

Excellent!

This is such a great book. I loved the storyline, the performance of the narrator, and especially the bits of humor sprinkled throughout the story. I may add this to my annual Christmas stories!

Enchanting

Loved the story, it’s cute with some fun laughable moments. Love how Christmas is explained. And of course I love Stephen Fry