'A Boy Called Christmas' earns its place as a holiday tradition

There are many books that try to capture the spirit of the holiday season, but few manage it with the charm, humor and emotional honesty of Matt Haig’s “A Boy Called Christmas.”

First published in 2015, this middle grade novel has quietly become a modern classic, one that families can return to year after year. I have read it every holiday season for the past five years, and it remains as heartwarming and hopeful as ever.

Haig reimagines the origin story of Father Christmas through the eyes of a young boy named Nikolas, nicknamed “Christmas” long before he becomes the figure we all recognize. Raised in poverty and grief, Nikolas sets out on a journey to find his father in the far north, and discovers a world filled with elves, reindeer, danger and unexpected kindness. The tone is brisk and witty, full of dry humor and gentle sarcasm, which keeps the story lively without diminishing its more serious themes. The book is lifted by Chris Mould’s lively black-and-white illustrations, which add warmth, whimsy and soft shadows to the story.

At its core, this is a story about belief, goodness and the quiet perseverance that allows a child to remain hopeful in a world that has given him few reasons to be. Haig writes, “An impossibility is just a possibility you do not understand yet,” and that philosophy threads through every chapter. Nikolas believes in wonder long before anyone believes in him, and his courage becomes the spark that changes everything.

Haig also writes openly about loss, giving the book a surprising emotional weight for its intended age group.

“To lose someone you love is the very worst thing in the world,” he notes. “It creates an invisible hole that you feel you are falling down and will never end.”

For readers ten and older, these moments create meaningful opportunities to talk about grief, resilience and the ways kindness can anchor us when the world feels unsteady.

The supporting cast adds texture and humor, especially Miika the mouse whose loyalty and commentary lighten even the bleakest scenes. The elves, meanwhile, are not simply cheerful helpers. They struggle with fear, mistrust and the choices that shape a community, making the story richer and more thoughtful than many holiday tales aimed at younger readers.

Families looking for a shared seasonal read will find plenty to enjoy here. “A Boy Called Christmas” encourages conversations about generosity, doing the right thing and choosing compassion even when it is difficult. For an even better experience, I strongly recommend listening to the audiobook narrated by Stephen Fry while reading along with the physical book. His warm and expressive performance brings the story to life. Libro.fm offers the audiobook while supporting independent bookstores, and a print copy can be found at your favorite local shop.

Whimsical, tender and wise, this book has earned its place as a holiday tradition.

Kara Sandoval is a bookseller at Books on the Bosque, located at 6261 Riverside Plaza Lane, Suite A-2, or at booksonthebosque.com.