Letters from Father Christmas
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Tolkien is best known for his fantastic adventures set in Middle Earth. But he did also write a few stories that were set in other places and other times. Perhaps one of his most endearing is the collection of letters that he wrote to his children each year, Letters from Father Christmas. Each letter is written as if it came from Santa Claus, and was delivered to the Tolkien children for the holidays each year. It is loads of fun to read the letters, watching the kids grow up through their father's eyes, and seeing his joy reflected in the letters. It is an excellent read, one worth revisiting every holiday season.
When I first encountered the short collection of letters, it was on audio book. I have since read it in print, and have bought a nicely illustrated version as a gift before. All of that is fun, but the best, for me, still remains the audio version. There is something that is more heartwarming about hearing the letters read aloud. And it can be all the better if you listen to the recording together with friends or family. It is not long, and can be a fun way to spend a holiday evening. There are sure to be some laughs, and probably some touching moments too, when you sit together with loved ones and enjoy this short little work by a wonderful writer, sharing his own craft with his beloved children.
Reviewed by Shelly Bryant © 2010