Take 3: Father Christmases
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore
Letters from Father Christmas by J R R Tolkien
Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Clement C Moore
Genesis
First published as ‘Account of a Visit from St Nicholas’ in 1823, the poem had been written the previous year by a New York professor at the General Theological Seminary, Clement Clarke Moore, to amuse his family. It soon became known by its opening line: ‘Twas the night before Christmas’.
Santa’s Little Helper?
This Santa has a whole team of helpful reindeer to pull his sleigh – Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid and the unforgettable Donder and Blitzen – not to speak of rollicking verses to speed him on his way.
Mugshot
Illustration by Christian Birmingham
Jingle bells!
Has been published in many different editions with illustrations since 1848. Illustrators who have tried their hand include T C Boyd (1848), Arthur Rackham (1931), Michael Foreman (1988), Lesley Smith (2001), Matt Taveres (2002) and, of course, Christian Birmingham (2000).
Says
‘Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!’
Stocking Filler
The Night Before Christmas, Clement C Moore, ill. Christian Birmingham, HarperCollins, 0 00 713398 7, hbk o/p but available from Amazon.
LETTERS FROM FATHER CHRISTMAS by J R R Tolkien
Genesis
In 1920 when Tolkien’s son John was three years old, he received his first letter from Father Christmas. For over twenty years through John’s childhood and that of Tolkien’s three other children, Michael, Christopher and Priscilla, the letters continued to arrive each Christmas.
Santa’s Little Helper?
Rather a large helper in this case – the North Polar Bear, Karhu, is this Santa’s chief assistant. A rather anarchic character, he is responsible for a great many muddles and disasters with presents going astray. He also adds little asides to Father Christmas’s letters.
Mugshot
Illustration by J R R Tolkien
Jingle bells!
J R R Tolkien is best known for The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. His books have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. In 2000 The Lord of the Rings was voted the Nation’s Favourite Book.
Says
‘Very much love from your old friend Father Christmas.’
Stocking Filler
Letters from Father Christmas, J R R Tolkien, HarperCollins, 0 261 10386 5, £12.99 hbk
FATHER CHRISTMAS by Raymond Briggs
Genesis
With his endless complaints (‘I hate winter!’; ‘Blooming Christmas is here again!’; ‘Blooming chimneys!’), this affectionate portrayal of a grumpy Santa who is cold, lonely and working unsociable hours was based on Raymond Briggs’ father who had been a milkman. Told in cartoon strip with speech bubbles.
Santa’s Little Helper?
This Santa fortifies himself with sandwiches, a banana and coffee during a rooftop break but he does not neglect the biscuits and glasses of port left by grateful children for his consumption.
Mugshot
Illustration by Raymond Briggs
Jingle bells!
Father Christmas won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1973 and the Francis Williams Award for Illustration in 1977. It has been translated into many languages. In 1991 a film version was released (dialogue spoken by Mel Smith) which included the book’s sequel, Father Christmas Goes on Holiday.
Says
‘Happy Blooming Christmas to You, too!’
Stocking Filler
Father Christmas, Raymond Briggs, Puffin, 0 14 050125 8, £5.99 pbk
