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Once upon a time there lived a man in England. To most he would be known as the author of one of the most popular and loved works of fiction in the 20th century. But to others, his children, he wrote something far more special. Every year for about twenty years, the children of J.R.R. Tolkien received personal letters and drawings from Father Christmas. And these letters and drawings have been compiled into a single book for our enjoyment and voyeurism.
The letters started in 1920 when his oldest song John was only 3 years old. At first the letters were quite short. But as the children got older the letters got longer. Other characters began to make regular appearances: North Pole Bear, an accident prone but helpful polar bear; Ilbereth, a helpful elf; and Paksu and Valotukka, North Pole Bear's mischivious nephews. Some years the children would receive two letters - a short one in November and then another one in at Christmas. Other years there would just be one long letter. And who else but Tolkien would introduce the idea of goblin attacks at the North Pole?
The letters continued until his goodbye letter in 1943 to his daughter Priscilla.
I suppose you will be hanging up your stocking just once more: I hope for I have still a few little things for you. After this I shall have to say "goodbye", more or less: I mean, I shall not forget you."
There's just something so very heartwarming to think of the scholar and the writer sitting down to write some little short stories for the pleasure of his children. It will make you wish you did the same thing for the children in your life. Perhaps it will even inspire you start such a tradition. This book is an excellent reminder of how it's the small personal touches and traditions of the holidays that stick with us long after the must have toy of the season has been tossed into a corner.
Contributing Editor Sassymonkey also blogs at Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.
