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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.
Can you imagine writing to Father Christmas and actually getting a reply? Every year, the children of J.R.R. Tolkien would write to Father Christmas, and the letters they received told wonderful stories of his adventures at the North Pole. These humorous tales are brought to life by Derek Jacobi as Father Christmas, John Moffatt as Polar Bear, and Christian Rodska as Ilbereth the Elf, complete with specially composed music.
Bill Vokes has played Santa at the children's Christmas show for years. But with the show just hours away, he vanishes with no explanation. The whole village is baffled. Did something bad happen to loveable Bill, upstanding citizen, churchgoer, life and soul of the party and the holiday season? Jack and Sarah are on the case - and soon discover there are secrets about this Santa that no one could have imagined.
"Marley was dead to begin with...." These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now R. William Bennett rewinds the story and focuses the spotlight on Scrooge’s miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. Why was Marley allowed to return? And why hadn’t he been given the same chance as Ebenezer Scrooge? Or had he?
It's Christmas 1909, and for once Lady Hardcastle - respectable gentlewoman, amateur spy - and her lady's maid, Florence Armstrong, are setting sleuthing aside. They are invited to the festivities up at The Grange, as guests of Sir Hector and Lady Farley-Stroud. But barely have corks been popped and parlour games played when a mysterious crime comes to light.
Twelve-year-old Ethan Mason is focused on baseball, math tests, and staying out of Howard Russman's way. That is, until a mysterious puddle of green light appears in the upstairs hallway of his home. The light brings Ethan to the kingdom of Abentur, a beautiful world defended by a dragon against vicious invaders and Draykik, their brutal leader. Ethan can't tell his parents or friends or anyone else about the new world he's discovered, because he has no way to prove, even to himself, that it really exists.
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.
Can you imagine writing to Father Christmas and actually getting a reply? Every year, the children of J.R.R. Tolkien would write to Father Christmas, and the letters they received told wonderful stories of his adventures at the North Pole. These humorous tales are brought to life by Derek Jacobi as Father Christmas, John Moffatt as Polar Bear, and Christian Rodska as Ilbereth the Elf, complete with specially composed music.
Bill Vokes has played Santa at the children's Christmas show for years. But with the show just hours away, he vanishes with no explanation. The whole village is baffled. Did something bad happen to loveable Bill, upstanding citizen, churchgoer, life and soul of the party and the holiday season? Jack and Sarah are on the case - and soon discover there are secrets about this Santa that no one could have imagined.
"Marley was dead to begin with...." These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now R. William Bennett rewinds the story and focuses the spotlight on Scrooge’s miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. Why was Marley allowed to return? And why hadn’t he been given the same chance as Ebenezer Scrooge? Or had he?
It's Christmas 1909, and for once Lady Hardcastle - respectable gentlewoman, amateur spy - and her lady's maid, Florence Armstrong, are setting sleuthing aside. They are invited to the festivities up at The Grange, as guests of Sir Hector and Lady Farley-Stroud. But barely have corks been popped and parlour games played when a mysterious crime comes to light.
Twelve-year-old Ethan Mason is focused on baseball, math tests, and staying out of Howard Russman's way. That is, until a mysterious puddle of green light appears in the upstairs hallway of his home. The light brings Ethan to the kingdom of Abentur, a beautiful world defended by a dragon against vicious invaders and Draykik, their brutal leader. Ethan can't tell his parents or friends or anyone else about the new world he's discovered, because he has no way to prove, even to himself, that it really exists.
The six Herdman children are “absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world”. They lie and steal and smoke cigars. They even burned down Fred Shoemaker’s old toolhouse. Now they’re taking over the Christmas pageant. The Herdmans have never heard the Christmas story before, and they don’t know anything about shepherds or Wise Men. When Imogene hears about the swaddling clothes, she demands to know why anyone would tie up a baby and put him in a feedbox.
The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville's holiday celebrations, and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. To his amazement, Christmas comes anyway, and the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday.
High adventure and dark mystery combine in a sparkling historical romance, by Jodi Taylor writing as Isabella Barclay from The Chronicles of St. Mary's. Bascombe, widowed and tied to an impoverished estate, has learned to ask little of life. With no hope of leaving, the years have passed her by. Lord Ryde, exiled abroad after a scandal, has returned to strip his estate and make a new start in America.
It all begins with a father telling a story to his son on Christmas Eve. But this isn't your typical Christmas story. The father admits to his son that he's taken a life but he won't say whose - not yet. One week earlier, in a hospital late at night, the man met a five-year-old girl with cancer. She's a smart kid - smart enough to know that she won't beat cancer by drawing with crayons all day, but it seems to make the adults happy, so she keeps doing it.
When Santa Claus is a cop, you better watch out. It’s not looking like a very merry Christmas for San Diego cop Nick Pappas. Suspended from his job, alienated from his family, and persecuted by the press, he’s sorely tempted to turn his gun on himself. Except for his first name, he couldn’t possibly have less in common with jolly old St. Nicholas. But when a local mall decides it needs a secret Santa to help collar some vicious muggers preying on its holiday shoppers, Nick’s persuaded to red-suit up so as to take the naughty punks down and avert a ho-ho homicide.
When street magician Carter runs away, he never expects to find friends and magic in a sleepy New England town. But like any good trick, things change instantly as greedy B. B. Bosso and his crew of crooked carnies arrive to steal anything and everything they can get their sticky fingers on. After a fateful encounter with the local purveyor of illusion, Dante Vernon, Carter teams up with five other like-minded kids. Together, using both teamwork and magic, they'll set out to save the town of Mineral Wells from Bosso's villainous clutches.
"Merciless Marvin the Magnificent" is back! (Which means, of course, that Fats the Fuse and Raymond the Rat are along for the ride). When Marvin makes his way into Macy's department store, he thinks he's discovered the best deal a mouse could wish for. But no sooner has he gathered his gang, and then gotten them cozily settled into a dollhouse in the toy department, than Macy's Santa goes missing.
Arianwyn has flunked her witch's assessment. She knows she's doomed. Declared an apprentice and sent to the town of Lull in disgrace, Arianwyn may never become a real witch like everyone else - much to the glee of her archrival, Gimma. But the remote Lull is not as boring as it seems. Strange things are being sighted in the woods, and a dangerous infestation of hex creeps throughout the town. Then the worst thing Arianwyn can imagine arrives in Lull: Gimma turns up on vacation determined to make her life miserable.
Christmas has come, and with it a sparkling white winterfrost over the countryside. But twelve-year-old Bettina's parents have been called away unexpectedly, leaving her in charge of the house, the farm, and baby Pia. In all the confusion, Bettina's family neglects to set out the traditional bowl of Christmas rice pudding for the tiny nisse who are rumored to look after the family and their livestock.
Thanks to Twinklestar, that marzipan-loving but lightning-shy reindeer, Santa and his caravan have come crashing down in a storm, just two weeks before Christmas. Luckily he's (literally!) dropped into a nice neighborhood. But Santa's not safe. The ruthless Gerold Geronimus Goblynch plans to put an end to children's wishes and turn the holiday season into his personal money-making scheme. Only Santa stands between him and his Grinch-like tricks.
Two hundred years ago a loyalist family fled to England to escape the American War of Independence and seemingly vanished into thin air. American genealogist Jefferson Tayte is hired to find out what happened, but it soon becomes apparent that a calculated killer is out to stop him.
Though Polly is busy keeping up with the demands of the season, she still makes time for her beekeeper boyfriend, Huckle. She's especially happy to be celebrating the holiday this year with him and can't wait to cuddle up in front of the fireplace with a cup of eggnog on Christmas Eve. But holiday bliss soon gives way to panic when a storm cuts the village off from the mainland. Now it will take all of the villagers to work together in order to ensure everyone has a happy holiday.
An Audiofile Magazine Earphones Award Winner! Twelve-year-old Amanda Krumwerth can't believe her eyes or her ears. She's come face-to-face with an elf from the North Pole. And not just any elf; he's Marmel, head of Santa's Department for Labeling Humans Naughty or Nice. Marmel just told Amanda there is not one good quality about anyone in her family, so they are all destined to go onto the Permanent Naughty List. With only two days before the sun sets on Christmas, how can Amanda prove Marmel wrong and save her family from their fate? Find out in this delightful new story about an unhappy elf, an unpleasant family and the true meaning of Christmas.
Amazon, Goodreads & Audible readers agree: "One of the best Christmas stories I've ever read...", "Fun and magical...", "Perfect for the entire family..."
"...this quirky and charming Christmas tale is as good as it gets." (AudioFile Magazine)
This is a review of the updated version of this book and the new audio version narrated by Simon Vance.
This book was so cute! A great Christmas story that I can see being made into a movie.
Marmel, head labeling elf he is in charge of labeling the naughty and nice and he is in a tizzy because Santa changed the rules and now no one is on the naughty list but Marmel has found a whole family (The Krumwerth’s) that he thinks should be on the permanent naughty list, no more chances they are just bad, bad, bad, at least according to Marmel. However, Santa wants to give them a chance to redeem themselves, much to Marmel’s chagrin. According to the rules Marmel must inform the family they are in danger of being on the naughty list forever, so he heads to the house and informs teenaged Amanda of the family’s fate. We also get to see Santa’s brother RC (Reverse Claus) who lives on the South Pole and wears green and has green and white candy canes, which I will never look at without thinking of RC again!
I enjoyed the Krumwerth family too they used to have fun on Christmas but have somehow forgotten their Christmas spirit, but they aren’t the only ones Marmel seems to be having a problem with this himself and for and Elf that is a very bad thing to happen.
The story is told by Marmel & Amanda in alternating chapters as you see how they try to get their Christmas Spirit back. I enjoyed the family stuff and know what it is like when Christmas becomes more of a chore than the fun and family it is supposed to be. I also enjoyed the scenes in the South Pole and hope maybe RC will get his own book one of these days!
I truly enjoyed this book and can so see it as movie **Hello Hollywood… Do You Hear Me? **
I highly recommend this fun book, even if you are done with your Christmas reads for the year I say pick one more up. I will be buying a paper copy for our library.
Simon Vance’s narration is very well done. This would make a great family roadtrip book!
4 ½ Stars
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Back to Christmas is a lovely revamped Christmas story about family and Christmas spirit.
Technology and (non) time management has made families drift apart. To avoid staying off a Permanent Naughty List, Amanda is tasked with trying to get her family to actually learn togetherness and take a moment to breathe and rekindle kindness and goodwill.
Well written with relatable characters, most people may see the family dynamics hits too close to home. Hopefully, not your own though!
Simon Vance narrates with varied voices and invites listeners to sit back and enjoy a modern day Christmas tale!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This book is great fun for children of any age, even as old as 99. Hopefully, everyone who reads it will be filled with Christmas spirt. It teaches all of us a lesson on happiness and doing good. I really identified with the elf and wanted him to saved from his doom.
The narrator did an excellent job of making each voice distinct from one another and his performance is what made this story stand out as a new classic.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have both versions of this book, the earlier book from last year and this year's updated version narrated by Simon Vance. I must say that I really loved this version more. Last year's was good, but Simon Vance just made this year's version even better.
Loved the updated story by Dennis Canfield. I will be listening to this version again next year around Christmas time.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
A great Christmas story narrated by Simon Vance (I couldn't pass it up). It's about a family who has become detached from each other, so much so that they are in danger of being put on the Permanent Naughty list. A curmudgeonly elf is dispatched to give them a chance to redeem themselves. It has a good message of how we need to put down all our devices and spend time with the ones we love.
This was exactly what I needed, a story that made me laugh and feel good. My inner child was enchanted while the adult laughed a lot. It would be good for families to listen to this together too. Thanks Mr. Canfield for this copy, I am truly grateful.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is a great children’s Christmas story. It has just the right length (under 3 hours on audio) and is age appropriate for all. This story explores some fun Christmas concepts that I haven’t heard before like a “permanent naughty list” and a relative of Santa Claus living in the South Pole!
I suppose I did not particularly enjoy the parts involving the penguins adventure and whatever was going on with them. I tended to enjoy the family happenings better. In any case, this would make a perfect “Hallmark” type of movie (of course it has a ‘cheese’ factor, but it’s perfect for kids and families alike).
My eight-year-old son, Olsen, has read this and will post his review below (as long as I can get him to write anything, which is really hard these days).
The narration of this book was terrific. I really liked how versatile Simon Vance was and even incorporated different nationalities into his voices.
Olsen’s rating: 5 stars
Olsen’s review:
I liked the book. It was a good one. I liked when they almost got on the permanent naughty list. And that the penguins messed up the apartment. I liked Reverse Santa and his penguins. It was a perfect length. The narrator was good.
I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Where does Back to Christmas rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Very close to the top.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Marmel, the elf.
What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?
He brings this story to life. His rich narration made everything appear in three dimensions, and I felt like I was watching a movie play out as I listened. Mr. Vance truly is among the best narrators around.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes! If I could have, I would have listened to the entire book without pause.
Any additional comments?
If you love classic holiday movies like "Miracle on 34th Street", "It's a Wonderful Life", "White Christmas", Rudolph, or Frosty, then I guarantee that you will love this audio book. It is clever, original, and funny. It had me smiling from the opening disclaimer to the epilogue. This is a story about an elf in danger of losing his Christmas spirit and a family in need of reclaiming their own. This book is bound to become a holiday classic in it's own right. Simon Vance's rich narration brings the story to life; he makes the characters and the situations three-dimensional. As he read it, I felt like I was watching it unfold before me. It's sweet, full of holiday cheer, and leaves you feeling good. Even for those who do not celebrate Christmas, this is a story that will entertain and leave you feeling good about, well, everything. I recommend this book to everyone.I was given this audio book as a gift, with no strings attached, by the author. My review is offered freely and is truthful. I thank Mr. Canfield for sharing this gem with me.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This was a really cute book. It is perfect for the entire family, and keeps the attention of all ages. The elves, Santa, and Reverse Santa appeal especially to kids, and I loved the message about the importance of family. It was nice to see a family "unplugged" and doing things together. I sometimes forget how much technology (our phones, TV, etc.) can get in the way of spending quality family time together. I listened to the Audible audio version of this book narrated by Simon Vance. I really liked his narration. He had unique voices for each character, and his voice is really pleasant to listen to. If you're looking for a holiday store you can enjoy with the whole family, I highly recommend this one.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Would you be willing to try another book from Dennis Canfield? Why or why not?
No. The book was poorly conceived and the writing was barely competent.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
The book is set in Chicago but the narrator has a British accent. His Midwest American accent was hard to listen to, but his Southern one was truly painful.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful