Father Christmas

Presented in comic-book form, this delightfully humorous holiday tale features a grouchy Father Christmas, one who struggles out of bed on the important day, trudges through his morning chores and his breakfast, and then sets out - complaining all the way, ha ha! - on his annual trek around the world. From the difficulties of letting himself into various homes - sooty chimneys, too-thin chimneys, no chimneys - to the challenges of weather - "blooming snow! - this Father Christmas has plenty to keep him kvetching, until (finally!) he reaches home again...

Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1973, Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas is quite a treat, visually speaking, with a suitably rosy-cheeked, chubby hero, one whose "sweet" appearance show more is hilariously contrasted with his somewhat curmudgeonly attitude. Mileage will probably vary with this one, but I enjoyed its prickly sense of humor, appreciated many of the little details - Father Christmas telling his reindeer to "Keep still you silly deers," or complaining of getting socks and ties as gifts - and finished it with a distinct sense of regret, that I never encountered it as a child. show less

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 show more will always be one of my favourites. The illustrations are a delight. show less

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 show more appreciate grumpy Santa.. Older kids might get a kick out of him. The pictures and their detail are lovely. show less

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.

Off-beat story of Santa Claus and how he spends his days on December 24 and 25. Comic-book format with little dialog, but what there is of it reflects a very British sense of humor. Father Christmas is grumpy about having to go out in the "blooming snow" but does his job and then returns for a hot shower and some nice cognac from "good old Fred." A fun change from the usual Christmas treacle. (JAF)

I'm not sure this is the same edition that we have--we got it from the library and then we purchased a used copy. But the copy we have is terrific! A very grouchy Santa Claus wakes up and grumbles his way through the morning, delivering presents, and then home to his own dinner. Apparently, from the llustrations, the story takes place in 1940s Britain. The illustrations are wonderful, telling the story in a "graphic novel" fashion, with cutaway views of homes and smaller panes arranged in sequence from one to the next. Each time we read the story, we see more details. (Warning: there is one very small, tasteful, drawing of Santa sitting on the toilet--my kids giggle each time they see it, but the more conservative readers might show more object.)

Brigg's Santa is much like your grandpa. He grumbles but he lovingly cares for his animals, delivers all presents no matter how challenging (including a present to a lighthouse and another to Buckingham Palace), and doesn't rest until his chores are all done. At the end of the book, he "breaks the fourth wall" and wishes a happy christmas to the reader.

This book works for kids at many ages because the drawings are so intricate and engaging. show less

We liked the behind the scenes look at a day in the life of Santa but Olivia's never been overly find of wordless or mostly wordless books. I narrated the sequence of events as we went through the book. We both came away thinking that Santa is one grumpy Gus! He doesn't like his job much more than the average guy and he only has to work one night of the year. ;)