Intro: I didn’t get through a ton of Christmas books this year – they all seemed to be enormous – but I did manage to finish one that stuck with me: A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig. It’s a children’s chapter book, and honestly, I get why so many people call Haig a modern Roald Dahl. The story follows a boy named Nikolas who stumbles into adventure after adventure, each one nudging him closer to becoming the Santa Claus everyone recognizes. It’s magical, funny, and easily one of my favorites this season.
Summary: Nikolas was only eleven, and he never had much. But he and his father, Joel, found happiness where they could. Then came the day Joel left, joining a group of hunters, chasing the promise of a bigger reward. Nikolas waited. He counted the days—then realized no one else was coming to find Joel. So he slipped out into the snowy wilderness himself, with only his scruffy mouse, Miika, for company. They weren’t alone for long, though; soon they found a reindeer, which Nikolas named Blitzen. That’s how he stumbled into the hidden world of Elfhelm, full of elves and magic. From there, nothing was simple. The deeper Nikolas went, the more tangled his troubles became, until—at the center of all the magic—he was faced with a choice that would change everything.
Story: Matt Haig’s take on Santa Claus isn’t the only version out there, but it’s one of the most memorable. He manages to spin a story that’s light on its feet—full of charm, wit, and little bits of magic—while still holding onto a thread of emotional honesty that gives it real weight. Nikolas doesn't have a smooth ride; his journey zigs and zags, sometimes in ways that catch you off guard and hit a little harder than you expect. It reads like a family story, but Haig never talks down to kids. Even when the humor tilts toward the silly, it never overstays its welcome. What sticks with you is the sense of searching for belonging, and the truth that life’s right choices are rarely simple or obvious. The whole thing feels just a little bit wild and otherworldly—almost as if Roald Dahl had taken a crack at the North Pole. But at its center, it keeps coming back to Nikolas and his father, Joel—their relationship is what everything else turns around. If you’re looking for a book that’ll put you in a Christmas frame of mind but also warms you up from the inside out, this is it.
Characters: Nikolas feels like a real kid, not just a storybook hero. That sense of realism makes every wild thing he encounters feel more believable—his reactions ring true. You can’t help but root for him as he stumbles through challenges, each setback making him even more likable. In contrast, the elves—like Little Noosh and Father Topo—always bring something unexpected. They’re usually playful and a little enigmatic, but every once in a while, they’ll turn serious just long enough to keep things interesting. The animal characters, like Blitzen the reindeer and Miik,a offer a sense of companionship and a touch of humor. Another notable addition is a pixie known as the truth pixie. She has a habit of always telling the truth no matter how harsh it may be, which can lead to humor but also a bit of uncertainty.
Illustrations & Visuals: Even though most of the book is text, you get the occasional illustrated section that shakes things up with some visual storytelling—bright, cartoony humans and backgrounds that make places like Elfhelm feel real. Chris Mould’s illustrations have a vibe that’s almost a nod to Quentin Blake’s work in those classic Roald Dahl books. Beyond the drawings themselves, the story does a great job of pulling you in, asking you to picture things like riding on Blitzen’s back, stumbling into Elfhelm, or struggling through bitter winter. The writing really pushes your imagination, making you feel like you’re right there with Nikolas as he unpacks this magical world full of elves. The pictures are fun, but honestly, I love that the book leaves plenty to your mind—it’s primarily written, so your own imagination gets to fill in the blanks however it wants.
Conclusion: A Boy Called Christmas delivers just the right mix of wonder and honesty — it’s the kind of story you want to curl up with as the holidays roll in. There’s real heart here: a boy trying to stay brave and make good choices, even when everything feels impossible. The characters are lively and memorable, and the illustrations add a nice artistic touch without overshadowing the pictures you’re already painting in your own mind. I know Matt Haig went on to write plenty of other Christmas books after this one, and I’m looking forward to diving into those next December.
(Final Grade: A-)