This was an impulse buy at the bookstore. I've been trying to get in the habit of reading out loud to my boys every night (even though they insist that they can read to themselves). And when I saw this one, I thought they might like it.

This book is an original Christmas story. Niklas Goodfellow is a good Santa who falls to earth one night when fleeing from a bad Santa, Gerold Geronimus Goblynch, and his Nutcracker goons. Two children, Ben and Charlotte, band together with Niklas, his two angels, and his team of elves to try to save Christmas.

The story itself was interesting enough to elicit cries of "One more chapter, please!" The action keeps moving until the final chapter. Funke also includes a number of clever details about Christmas. For example, Santa learns what children want for Christmas from angels who listen to children's dreams. And, the elves cuss. Yes, you read that right. They are gruff little workers, and when faced with trouble, they have been known to exclaim, "Steaming reindeer poo!" Or "stinky goblin farts." (Pardon my French.) This was my kids' favorite part of the story, and it is sure to show up in the book report that my third grader will be writing tomorrow.

What a fun book!! This has become one of our holiday favorites. ( )

When traveling during a terrible storm, Nicklas Goodfellow loses his invisible reindeer and his caravan goes crashing down to earth. Folks in the neighborhood aren't quite sure who Nicklas is, but he confides in Ben, a boy who is good at sports but made fun of at school because he doesn't talk much. Nicklas is actually the last Santa, but his job is in jeopardy because of a hostile takeover in Yule Land -- Nutcrackers and bad Santas are on the lookout for him, and if they find him it will be the end of Christmas as we know it!

My sister begged me to read this, as it's her new favorite book. It was lighthearted and a funny story, though it took me awhile to like the characters and I wanted to know more about them. It's much more plot-based and quirky, and I can see why she liked it. ( )

Ben is a shy boy who doesn't do very well in school. When a caravan fall from the sky right in front of his house, his life changes. He becomes a little braver, gains a friend, and encounters angels, elves, and giant nutcrackers in the process. A good book for tween reading club. ( )