Santa has landed in a whole lot of trouble! Thanks to Twinklestar, that marzipan-loving but lightning-shy reindeer, Santa and his caravan have come crashing down in a storm just two weeks before Christmas. Luckily he’s (literally!) dropped into a nice neighborhood. But Santa’s not safe. The ruthless Gerold Geronimus Goblynch plans to put an end to children’s wishes and turn the holiday season into his personal moneymaking scheme. Only Santa stands between him and his grinchlike tricks. With the help of kids Charlotte and Ben, Santa will have to face Goblynch and his Nutcracker goons if he’s ever to rescue Christmas!
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"The problem -- Yule Land has been taken over by an evil, mercenary santa. (He gives santas who tow the line snow machines and turns their reindeer into sausage.) What is the last true santa, Niklas, to do? He gets help from two children, Ben and Charlotte. "
— Kelly (4 out of 5 stars)
" Eh, this was alright, but fell a bit short in my opinion. The narration didn't help either - it's neat that Cornelia Funke did it herself, but a professional would have come across better. "
— Sophie, 2/4/2014" This was cute book to kick off my Christmas. I alternated between reading and listening to Christmas music. The plot may have been a bit insubstantial, but it kept me entertained. "
— Tara, 1/26/2014" Cute story .. the kids liked it. We like this author's other books. Not crazy about the cheating in school part .. but otherwise very creative and enjoyable story. "
— Denise, 1/24/2014" This book was a great read and just in time for the holladays. "
— Eris, 1/19/2014" Story for young children. The evil nutcrackers have captured all of the good Santa's and the one real Santa is left. He crashes to earth and spreads holiday love and cheer in one little neighborhood. Cute story, well written. I would say that it is more for grade schooler aged children. Fun ending where good fights evil and wins because they all pull together. "
— Jessie, 1/16/2014" I was reading this one to the kids. It was good, but they lost interest and I had to get it back to the library. Maybe we'll try again next year. "
— Havilah, 1/15/2014" I thought this was a cute Christmas story, definitely different than the norm. Great for kids, families, or classrooms who want to share a holiday story. "
— Jeni, 1/14/2014" Such a cute Christmas book. I read it almost every December since I found it! "
— Sammy, 12/21/2013" A great book to read before Christmas! "
— Mary, 12/20/2013" Did the book on CD and Cornelia Funke was the narrator and didn't really care for her. The story I wasn't a fan of either. "
— Joenna, 10/4/2013" We listened to this in the car. It kept us all involved and we enjoyed it. "
— Launna, 9/21/2013" I do SO love science fiction and I do so love Christmas, so this story is a great mix of both. It'll spoil the book if I tell you anything about the book, but I will drop this hint - the whole Santa thing? He's not quite who you think he is... "
— Juanita, 6/25/2013" It was okay but didn't really grab my attention. Listened to it on audio book. "
— Jenny, 3/15/2013" children's picture book. cute story, but i didn't like the fact that the boy cheated on a test and there was no consequence. "
— Jeri, 8/10/2012" I love her books. Always creative, always entertainning. "
— Gwyneth, 12/13/2011" A little confusing for my brain at the time. But interesting. "
— luhvBOOKS, 12/5/2011" Sweet short tale of a Santa quite different from the one we're familiar with. Plus there are polar glow worms and Christmas elves who swear (G-ratedly, of course)! "
— Catherine, 11/28/2011" Read with Kate (6) before school. We both enjoyed it. "
— iLa, 11/24/2011" I read it out of holiday obligation, but was inspired: if this crap can get published, then... Holiday books by bestsellers is the new obligatory Christmas album? Discuss. "
— Mary, 7/10/2011" This was the best Santa book ever made. Even though I finished last night. Just the way it was written was really good. Also the way she made it so she could make everything up was so cool. "
— E, 4/22/2011" It was a halarious book about Santa and a snow machine. "
— Merrell, 4/20/2011" Even in my resentment to the whole 'Santa' thing, I will always love this book immensely. ;) Ah, the magic of Cornelia Funke. :))) I love you, woman. XD "
— Mel, 4/8/2011" A great book to read before Christmas! "
— Mary, 1/23/2011" beth and i read this during advent this year. great short chapters for my squirrely little girl. good action but nothing too super scary for her. "
— Lisa, 1/4/2011" A fun Christmas story. I used this for a book club and the children loved it. "
— Joan, 12/15/2010" This may not be Cornelia Funke's most well-known book, but it's one of my favorites.... The blend of whimsy and intrigue put me solidly in a holiday mood. "
— Kim, 12/14/2010" Silly story about Santa and the elves. "
— Heather, 12/8/2010" Such a cute Christmas book. I read it almost every December since I found it! "
— Sammy, 11/8/2010" This book is very creative and I love all the characters in it. It's very descpritive and i enjoyed it very much "
— Mary, 10/3/2010" i first tried to do the audio...had a problem with one of the cds so i checked out the book instead...a better experience as a book than as an audio...the author (Cornelia Funke) did the audio and i didn't feel her voice was strong enough to pull it off "
— Terri, 1/23/2010" Ugh. What a weird book. I liked the take she had on the Santa folklore. I didn't like they way the parents were personified, but what can you say. Anything from a kid's perspective shows grown ups in a bad light. "
— Emily, 1/2/2010" A great book for ages 7-10. I read this aloud in my classroom and the students loved it. It explains some of Santa's magic tricks. "
— Judy, 12/24/2009Cornelia Funke is a multiple award–winning German author, best known for writing the Inkworld trilogy as well as The Thief Lord. The Inkworld books, which have won the 2003 Mildred L. Batchelder Award as well as the 2004 and 2006 BookSense Book of the Year Children’s Literature Awards, have gained incredible attention, and Funke has been dubbed the “German J. K. Rowling.” She currently lives in Los Angeles.