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Loading... Father Christmas (original 1973; edition 2003)by Raymond Briggs
Work InformationFather Christmas by Raymond Briggs (1973)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Upright, oblong 16-page booklet featuring Father Christmas and other Christmas scenes, alternating colour pages and including verses such as 'Oh, isn't it jolly, When Dicky and Dolly, Go gathering holly, Right out of the woods?' This copy was awarded as a prize to a Tom Charman, Clive Vale infants' School, Hastings in March 2021, a bit late for Christmas, one would think, a sticky label masking most of a Christmas tree. The front cover states 'printed in USA, no. 280. This was the Father Christmas from my childhood: a normal, if slightly rotund, grandfatherly type. In the UK he was (maybe still is) not generally known as Santa Claus but as Father Christmas or even Daddy Christmas by little children. Briggs has given him a home typical of the 1930s or thereabouts with an outside loo, stables for the deer, and an OXO tin for his sandwiches. He has my admiration because he always tends to the animals first, making sure they are warm and well-fed. He may have been a bit grumpy when he wakened on Christmas Eve but who wouldn't when they have a big job to do in the worst weather. At heart though, he is a sun-worshipper and dreams of holidays in tropical locations. I've had this book for many years and it will always be one of my favourites. The illustrations are a delight. This picture book is illustrated like a comic and to me, it achieved a comedic effect. The story follows the famous Santa Claus as he is going through his Christmas routine. I was surprised to see Santa had such a bad attitude but it is definitely a different but interesting, perspective. This book was also on the banned books list. There are pictures in the book of Santa using the bathroom, showering, and various pictures of him drinking alcohol. Some children may find it hilarious that Santa is on the toilet but some would consider that to be inappropriate. The book itself is funny and due to it's comic-like structure, it would be easy for younger children to read on their own. Father Christmas is a picture book with few words that shows frame by frame of Santa's activities on his busiest day of the year, December 24. This Santa could be your grumpy neighbor--he doesn't like snow or winter, chimneys or even Christmas much. He complains about some of the snacks he's left. He loves his dog, cat, and his "silly deers." He revels in his end of the day activities - bath, preparing and eating dinner and climbing into bed, but his overall mood is captured best in the last frame, "Happy Blooming Christmas to you, too!" This is a very cute book, but it's one that seems to be written for adults. "1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up" recommends this for children 3+, but I'm not sure small children would appreciate grumpy Santa.. Older kids might get a kick out of him. The pictures and their detail are lovely. no reviews | add a review
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Pictures and brief text follow a rather disgruntled Santa Claus on his annual rounds. No library descriptions found.
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.9Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern PeriodLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. Penguin AustraliaAn edition of this book was published by Penguin Australia. |