Member Reviews
I received an ARC of this children's book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was adorable. The text was great, but the pictures were also really wonderful!
Thank you Netgalley and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a quick children's book with extremely cute illustrations but somehow it felt odd. I couldn't get into the origin story of Santa Claus. Maybe it seemed a bit too modern to me. I liked the part about Nick wanting to bring joy to the kids who didn't have toys and those kids helping him but somewhere it fell off.
Kids Christmas by David Litchfield - 4/5
Children's Fiction - Christian
Available for purchase October 2023
Kids Christmas is a magical Christmas themed picture book about Nicky who has three uncles who all own the Claus Brothers Toy Store. Having uncles who own a toys story means Nicky was able to grow up working there, watching all the hard work and seeing firsthand all the magic come alive. This is a wonderful story about compassion, friends, and being kind.
Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the eARC.
this book was cute and the illustrations were very nice but i found it to be kind of a weird origin story for father Christmas. normally my 4 year old loves Christmas books ANY times of the year but this one did not hold her interest or mine.
Autumn is my favourite time of year for so many reasons but one of the biggest is that it leads up to Christmas. Nothing puts me in the mood more than the first Christmas stories appearing in late summer. That’s why I was so excited to spot Kid Christmas of the Claus Brothers Toy Store on NetGalleyUK.
Kid Christmas of the Claus Brothers Toy Store is a charming story of Christmas magic and generosity. Exploring the origins of Christmas gift giving, it will inspire young readers to share what they have and think about how they can help those who may not have many gifts this Christmas.
Nicky’s uncles are the first toy makers in the land. Their mysterious workshop produces the most wonderful toys for children to enjoy. When Nicky realises not every child can afford one of these marvellous toys, he vows to do something about it. He comes up with a plan to deliver a toy to every child in the city. With determination, teamwork and a bit of magic, the legend of Father Christmas is born!
Kid Christmas of the Claus Brothers Toy Store will be a gorgeous addition to every Christmas picture book collection. Perfect to read in the run-up to Christmas, it will encourage children to think of others and find ways they can honour the spirit of Nicky and the Claus Brothers. Originally published in hardcover in October 2022, the paperback edition will be available in October 2023.
Thank you to Frances Lincoln Children’s Books and NetGalleyUK for this lovely book.
Heartwarming story with beautiful illustrations! Will definitely read this to my kids on Christmas Day.
Adorable, magical play on the beginnings of Saint Nick/Santa Clause. Beautiful illustrations and clear, short prose. Perfect for children of all ages who want to read about the magic of Christmas.
A great Christmas storytelling about the importance of generosity and working together to help others. A twist on the original story of Saint Nicholas.
I enjoyed the story, but the standout was the pictures. The colours were bright and eye-catching, and there were lots of little details that you could spend a long time looking at. I would recommend this book to my friends with kids to add to their collections.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own,
I love love and love this story! It's like a Christmas retelling but within modernized settings.
My heart ached when reading the first few pages, oh, how i can relate with those kids who kept on looking at the toys via the mirror😔
But im glad how the plot entailed next, it soothed my inner child (mind you im 20+ years old but love children's book, cus man... I've been dealing with a lot of heavy things in my mind, hence i prefer a light reading to refresh myself)
The illustrations? Chef's kiss! I would totally love to purchase a physical copy, adding to comfort book list! Thank you netgalley for giving me an opportunity to read this advanced reader copy, in exchange of honest review. Looking forward to another book by this author, and maybe another Christmas books?
An enchanting read that will melt even the coldest of hearts and give you all the feels. The illustrations are simply gorgeous, so rich in detail and colour. Everything about this book embodies the Christmas spirit and joy of giving. A heartwarming, meaningful and magical read that I highly recommend!
This was an adorable Christmas book. A modern twist on the story of St. Nick. The pictures were beautiful & it opens kids eyes to the idea that not all children may have access to the same exact things.
This book will go on my list to purchase for Christmas! I'm a sucker for Christmas books.
This was a fun story! A little story about how the legend of Santa started. I loved the tale woven together with magic and kids. It was all so sweet with different aspects that I hadn’t heard before.
I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books through NetGalley.
Litchfield spins a tale explaining how Santa got his start. Readers meet the Claus brothers and their nephew Nicky. They own a toy store that always seems to have the perfect toy for each child. Little do the families know that there really is magic in the production process. Nicky notices children who don't come in the store but simply look in the windows. One day, he follows them and discovers the dark tunnel where the whole group lives. This opens his eyes to more of the world and he decides to do something about it. He enlists his uncles and they create toys for every child in the city. From there, the story unfolds with traveling by sleigh and finding helpers to make all the toys to delivering them all over the world. A magical tale for younger readers and those who still feel the magic of Christmas.
The illustrations are lovely and can be studied for so many details. The use of colors to portray different locations and emotions works well.
Definitely one to add to the family bookcase.
Kid Christmas is a cute story with beautiful art work.
Nicky Claus and his uncles own and work in Claus Brothers Toy Emporium. It seems like a normal toy story expect the door in the back leads to a workshop where Hanz makes the toys, Louis checks them and Levi adds the magic.
Nicky sees a group of children that look through the window but never come in. He decides to follow them and realize they live underground and have no money. This inspires him to want to give every child in the city a toy. The children in Lottie's group help Nicky deliver the toys and now help in the workshop.
Kid Christmas
By David Litchfield
Published by Quarto Publishing PLC
A magical and heartfelt picture book from best-selling author-illustrator David Litchfield, centres on kindness, generosity and looking after others.
A treat for the ears and eyes of anyone excited about the “big man dressed in red” prior to the event!
Nicky Claus works with his three uncles in the Claus Brothers Toy Emporium.
Uncle Hanz makes the toys, Uncle Louis checks them and Uncle Levi adds the magic! Because each toy made at the Emporium has a special sparkle that means it will find the child it is perfect for. Who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle, especially at Christmas?
But when Nicky discovers a young girl living on the streets with lots of other children, he begins to realise that none of them can afford a toy from his Uncles factory.
So Nicky vows for one night only, every child will have the toy of their dreams and - with the help of his uncles and some flying reindeer - the legend of Father Christmas is born.
A share together story full of colour, magic and Christmassy stuff to delight us all.
Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgalley
Kid Christmas is an imaginative version of how Santa Claus came to be. Through thoughtfulness and kindness, Kid Christmas wants to share the magic of a happy heart with all the children. Children will enjoy the colorful illustrations and the sweet story. This would be a great read aloud. I received a free copy, and opinions are my own.
As the wife of a teacher, this book is a definite must add to my husband's classroom shelf.
Giving the origin story of Santa, and his workshop, the book presents dazzling illustrations and heart warming dialogue.
"Nicky realized that sometimes, when all hope seems lost...a friend can help you find light in the darkness."
Without spoiling anything, this quote leads to such a beautiful drawn picture that you have to see it to believe it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story for free and give my honest review.
This is a fantastic Christmas book for children, which would make a wonderful gift for any child! My daughter and I loved the story of how Santa and the elves started, and what they got up to. The images in the book are stunningly beautiful, with a lot of details in them. This is an amazing book, which we recommend highly!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
Kid Christmas of the Claus Brothers Toy Shop is a magical, festive story, perfect for winter. It would make an excellent Christmas Eve reading book.
The book is a new and uplifting tale of where Nick Claus came from and how the tradition of receiving a special gift, on Christmas morning, began.
The story tells the tale of a young boy called Nick Claus, his 3 uncles Hanz, Louis and Levi and their toy shop. After discovering children living in poverty, Nick Claus felt sad and decided all children deserve a toy at Christmas. So, Nick and his uncles set to work to make enough toys to deliver a special gift to every child in the city.
With the toy production complete, Nick's uncles give him the Yule 3000 sleigh and some reindeer to help him deliver all the presents.
We see Nick trying to figure out how to get the gifts into the houses and with the help of Lottie, one of the poor children living in the tunnels and her fireflies, his mission is complete.
After such a successful adventure Nick decided that every Christmas all the children in the world should receive a special toy to wake up with on Christmas morning.
The illustrations throughout the book are beautiful. They really bring out the magic of Christmas with the snow and the twinkling lights.
I would recommend this book for children aged 4-9 years.
Adorable Santa Claus origin story. The illustrations are so incredibly well done, the book is truly beautiful. I would definitely buy this for my niece and nephew. Probably best for ages 4-8.