Spotlight: A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

A Boy Called Christmas

Author: Matt Haig
Illustrator: Chris Mould 
Genre: Children/MG/Fiction/Holiday
Release Date: November 1, 2016
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Description:

Before there was Santa Claus, there was a young boy who believed in the impossible... Lemony Snicket meets Elf in this warmhearted Christmas caper.

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. But the elves of Elfhelm have troubles of their own: Christmas spirit and goodwill are at an all-time low, and Nikolas may be the only person who can fix things—if only he can reach his father before it’s too late...

Sparkling with wit and warmth, A Boy Called Christmas is a cheeky new Christmas classic-in-the-making from acclaimed author Matt Haig and illustrator Chris Mould.
 

Praise for A Boy Called Christmas:

 

«“Like stockings hung by the fire, this spellbinding opus may well become a yuletide tradition.”  —Kirkus Reviews

 

“Matt Haig has written the most evergreen, immortal Christmas story to be published for decades. Future generations will receive the same comfort and joy from A Boy Called Christmas that they derive from mince pies, snowmen and creamy liqueurs.” —Stephen Fry, Actor and Comedian

 

“The Christmas book of the year.”—The Sun

 “A Boy Called Christmas delivers an utter blast of joy.” — Herald

 

“A new festive classic”—Mail on Sunday

 

“Like enjoying the warmth of a good fire on a cold day. […]Chris Mould’s brilliant line drawings inject rich humour into this gentle, affecting story, perfect for Christmas in every way.” — Independent

 

“Matt Haig puts the Happy back into Christmas.” —Jeanette Winterson, award-winning author of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

“The definitive (and funny) history of ho, ho, ho! My children loved it.” —Yann Martel, bestselling author of Life of Pi
 

MATT HAIG is an award-winning author whose novels for children and adults have been translated into 25 languages. His children's books have won the Smarties Gold Medal, the Alex Award, The Blue Peter Book of the Year, and been nominated several times for the Carnegie Medal and the Waterstones Book Prize. He lives in Brighton with his wife and two children.

http://www.matthaig.com/ 


Chris Mould is the illustrator of Captain Beastlie’s Pirate Party, written by Lucy Coats. Chris went to art school at the age of sixteen. During this time, he did various jobs, from delivering papers to washing-up. He has won the Nottingham Children’s Book Award and been commended for the Sheffield. He loves his work and likes to write and draw the kind of books that he would have liked to have on his shelf as a boy. He is married with two children and lives in Yorkshire.

Chris Mould spends his working day in one of the prestigious art studios at Dean Clough Mills in Halifax. His studio is clearly marked with a skull and crossboned warning as to what might lie within.

Chris is not confined to book illustration. He has worked for the RSC, the BBC, the FT and many other famous initials, aswell as film development work for Aardman Animations which included character and environment development work on the film Flushed Away.

When away from his studio, Chris spends most of his time with his wife Sue and his two daughters Emily and Charlotte. (Author bio and photos taken from Goodreads)

http://www.somethingwickedlyweird.com/