Kringlewart and the Crookedest Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree Elves, Book 2

By: Jim Reid

Narrated by: Jeff Loeb

My name is Kringlewart.

I am a runt of a tree elf, the size of a small kitten. My parents, who care for majestic forest trees, are 10 times my size.

My father coerced my mother to drink a brew that stunted my growth, 381 years ago, so that I could only care for his accursed Christmas trees.

I hate Christmas.

I always drag my tree into the forest soon after the farmer plants them. I deliberately deform them so that no one would ever choose them as Christmas trees. I have saved 52 trees from this fate, but this year, I failed.

My best friend, Pure Snow, hates me. We have been friends for almost 200 years. She has white fur and pink eyes, and she is the tall but stunted elfspring of the legendary Silver Lightning. She always grows perfect trees.

We once spent a Christmas in one of her trees, inside Windsor Castle, where we met the newlywed, Queen Victoria. Hundreds of magical creatures lived in the castle. Like us, they could turn invisible to all but the queen.

Until recently, I lived in the branches of my Esmeralda, the crookedest tree I ever crafted, in a circle of six mature fir trees that I planted over the past half century. My life is in turmoil now that my Esmeralda, covered with lights and bobbles, is dying in a London townhouse.

The famous writer Charles Dickerson lives in the house with his orphaned nephew, Harry. I eavesdropped on their conversation, from within the branches of my tree. Charles told the boy that he was close friends with Father Christmas, an ancient elf over three thousand years old.

I used sleeping powder to put the writer to sleep so I could talk to the boy. Harry and I chatted for some time until that most famous jolly old elf interrupted us when he and his elves popped out of the fireplace.

Father Christmas has a much different life than most humans would believe, and he is due for a life change that will transform the holiday.

The events of the next day - December 25th, my 392nd birthday - could change all our lives.

©2016 James Michael Reid (P)2016 James Michael Reid

A charming and fascinating story

This is more than a Christmas story, though that is certainly part of its charm.The plot is engaging and involving; with a very strong story line, good guys, bad guys, and ultimately redemption. The writing was thoughtful and very well-crafted and the reader of the book is quite good.

Not your typical elf story

This is a wonderful holiday story with a unique main character, Kringlewart, the elf who hates Christmas! As with the first Christmas Tree Elves book, Oskar, the Christmas Tree Elf, the story is filled with interesting characters and information about Christmas. The narration is also superb--Jeff Loeb does a magnificent job of capturing the characters' voices.

This story deserves more exposure.

I enjoyed it's telling. I look forward to more from this author.
Not a completely sticky sweet story of a Christmas tree elf.

Great read

Kringlewart and the Crooked Christmas Tree is an exciting new Christmas tale that you are sure to love. Full of delightful magical creatures and fascinating tales it’s sure to be a new Christmas classic.