Letters from Father Christmas

I purchased this centenary edition of Letters from Father Christmas for my niece and her husband, who have one young daughter, and a little boy on the way. They love J.R.R. Tolkien, and even incorporated elements of Bilbo's Long Expected Party into their wedding reception, so I know they will lovingly and zealously adopt this delightful book and be fully engaged with their children in reading through it each Christmas season, starting this year. In fact, this might be an ideal Advent Book for young families - large format with plenty of illustrations and color to appeal to the little ones, coupled with the warmth and heart to captivate and endear the parents, enabling families to rediscover the wonder of reading together during this blessed season. The design and attention to detail is top tier, with gold foil accents on the cloth-bound cover, and there is even a handsome ribbon marker as befits a keepsake which asks to be used and enjoyed, not merely collected and displayed. The generous sized reproductions of the letters and envelopes themselves have real impact on the thick, quality paper, and the addition of the text of the letters helps when we cannot always discern the spindly handwriting of Father Christmas. A treat for all, and, like me, you may decide to order a copy for yourself after you've seen the one you give as a gift!

Oh, I wish I could give this book 100 stars! I would do it! The letters from J. R. R. Tolkien - “Father Christmas” - to his children over the years 1920 to 1943 are touching, funny, and poignant. The artwork from the letters is so beautiful. I can imagine his children, overcome with delight, when they received these letters. Sometimes whimsical (with corrections by PB - Polar Bear), and sometimes sentimental, these letters reach the heart. In the later years, references to the war and short supplies give context and heartfelt sympathy for the children of the world. The book itself is beautiful, filled with color illustrations from “Father Christmas.” Letters from Father Christmas is treasure.

Imagine that a father makes sure that his children get a letter from Santa Claus (or Father Christmas, as he's often known in the UK) every year. Heartwarming thought, isn't it? Now imagine that that father is the highly-educated and incredibly talented J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the internationally-acclaimed classics "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings," among many other works. Tolkien had four children and always encouraged them to write letters to Father Christmas when the holiday season approached, and with his help, Father Christmas wrote back – not to mention other characters, such as his bumbling but lovable assistant the North Polar Bear and his elf secretary Ilbereth. Each letter is lovingly handwritten, with each character having their own special lettering style, and often in multiple colors – this book reproduces the letters' colors. But that's not all. The letters often included illustrations of the goings-on at the North Pole. Tolkien often illustrated the envelope as well, drawing a special "North Pole" stamp and sometimes other graphics. These are all included in this book. As the years went by, the fanciful world of Father Christmas at the North Pole grew, and he had to contend with the Man in the Moon dropping by for unannounced visits or even with attacks by the mischievous Goblins who lived in the caverns below his home. To make reading easier, the text of the letters is also printed on pages opposite the reproductions of the letters, but you'll want to look at both, to see the illustrations and graphical additions that Tolkien included as he let his fantastic imagination expand the world of Father Christmas. This material was first published in 1976, but this is the centenary edition, published in 2020, as the first letter was "sent" in 1920, when Tolkien's first child was three years old. He kept writing these until the final poignant letter of 1943, when his youngest child was on the verge of being too old for Father Christmas. But still, Father Christmas always looks forward to the time when they will have children of their own, and to bringing gifts and sending letters to them. Heartwarming and relentlessly creative holiday cheer for all ages from a master, in a beautiful hardcover edition with a bookmark ribbon. I heartily recommend this book if you have children, know any children, or ever were a child. Edited by Baillie Tolkien, second wife of J.R.R.'s son Christopher.

This is a delightful collection of JRR Tolkien Santa letters to his children. There are wonderful characters and fanciful drawing by the author.

Huge fan of Tolkien, and this little book is a very creative little entry into the personal life of the genius. Don't expect a full out story or anything. Great book to have around during the holidays.

The book is lovely with full color original illustrations by JRR Tolkien on nearly every page. The stories he wrote for his children, especially through the years of WW2, are incredibly inventive and at times, served to be the real Christmas gift for them, when resources for purchased presents were nil. If you love Christmas, children's books and illustrated works, you will love this edition. The ONLY disappointment was in the shipping. The book was simply placed inside a slightly padded shipping envelope with no protective bubble wrap. The corners were dinged up a bit and one edge was bent. I suppose it's fortunate it wasn't more damaged. This is a beautiful hardcover book which deserved better packaging.

Love the illustrations and fun humorous letters!!! Hopefully a favorite my nephew

Primeramente, no es un libro sobre la Tierra Media, es una rareza para los fanáticos del autor. Esta edición es muy hermosa, tiene las cartas de Tolkien para sus hijos en navidad; de un lado viene la carta original con una calidad excelente y en la otra la transcripción. No tengo quejas sobre el libro, es excelente trabajo de recopilación. Mi queja es el envío por parte de Amazon; el libro no tenía plástico protector y tampoco lo empacaron con algún plástico de burbujas o almohadillas para que no se golpeara, llegó todo maltratado y me decepcionó porque siempre me han llegado los productos bien cuidados.

Condition: Wasn't exactly "like new", as it had been described (some marks on the corners, see photo). This edition: Definitely recommend it. It is comprehensive in the collection of letters, and also has the text typed besides them, so we can more easily read it (Tolkien's handwriting was beautiful, but can be hard to go through). There is no index?! The cover and edition are just lovely, and I think this makes for a great early-winter coffee table book or a gift to young (or less young) Tolkien fans! Literature: This is an amazing compilation and Tolkien's creativity, humour, and love for his children comes through in every letter. Definitely recommend it!

This is another book for the serious Tolkien Collector. It is a beautifully bound Deluxe Edition in a slip case with wonderful illustrations printed on fine art paper. I purchased this for my husband who is a Tolkien fan and considers him The Master of this kind of fantasy writing.

Recieved promptly, great packaging, perfect quality. Book looks amazing but as I just received I haven't read.

A family read. Best for kids. I loved the illustrations most. Tolkein is the best among all, writing letters as Father Christmas to his children. Best book, go for it. (centenary edition)