“ … if you’re one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. It is most certainly not for you. Because this book is full of impossible things.” Nikolas and his father don’t have much, but being together has always been enough for Nikolas. Then a hunter offers Nikolas’s father money in exchange for helping to locate Elfhelm, land of the elves. Miserable Nikolas is left with his Dahl-esque aunt and runs away. An injured reindeer, whom Nikolas helps and names Blitzen, joins him on the journey to find his father. Nikolas has heard stories from his father about the elves’ magic, and goodness, and happiness, but with a few exceptions it’s all in short supply when he finally reaches Elfhelm. A new leader there has practically outlawed kindness, and all humans are suspect since the recent kidnapping of a young elf. Nikolas realizes his father is one of the kidnappers and is determined to rescue the elf child. A warm, funny, spirited story has moments of poignancy, as when Nikolas sees his father in a new, upsetting light, but is nonetheless full of delight. Occasional black-and-white illustrations perfectly echo the droll narrative tone. (Ages 6–9)

Before there was Santa Claus, there was a young boy who believed in the impossible. . . . Lemony Snicket meets Klaus in this warmhearted Christmas caper.
 
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 cheeky new Christmas classic-in-the-making from acclaimed author Matt Haig and illustrator Chris Mould.

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

“The definitive (and funny) history of ho, ho, ho! My children loved it.” —Yann Martel, bestselling 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 bestselling 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