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Father Christmas #1
Father Christmas
Raymond Briggs, creator of The Snowman, tells a magical Christmas story that will appeal to everyone who wants to believe in Santa Claus. Meet Father Christmas: a very human gift-giver with a tough job to do. You'll find out that he sometimes gets a little grumpy living at the icy North Pole and squeezing down chimneys, but he more than makes up for it in heart and humour. Raymond Briggs brings this endearing character to life in over 100 wonderfully illustrated vignettes that follow the adventures of Father Christmas on his big night of the year.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1973
5 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
About the author
Raymond Briggs
164 books241 followersRaymond Redvers Briggs was an English illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist, and author who had achieved critical and popular success among adults and children. He was best known for his story "The Snowman", which is shown every Christmas on British television in cartoon form and on the stage as a musical.
His first three major works, Father Christmas, Father Christmas Goes on Holiday (both featuring a curmudgeonly Father Christmas who complains incessantly about the "blooming snow"), and Fungus the Bogeyman, were in the form of comics rather than the typical children's-book format of separate text and illustrations. The Snowman (1978) was entirely wordless, and illustrated with only pencil crayons. The Snowman became Briggs' best-known work when in 1982 it was made into an Oscar nominated animated cartoon, that has been shown every year since on British television.
Briggs continued to work in a similar format, but with more adult content, in Gentleman Jim (1980), a sombre look at the working class trials of Jim and Hilda Bloggs, closely based on his parents. When the Wind Blows (1982) confronted the trusting, optimistic Bloggs couple with the horror of nuclear war, and was praised in the British House of Commons for its timeliness and originality. The topic was inspired after Briggs watched a Panorama documentary on nuclear contingency planning, and the dense format of the page was inspired by a Swiss publisher's miniature version of Father Christmas. This book was turned into a two-handed radio play with Peter Sallis in the male lead role, and subsequently an animated film, featuring John Mills and Peggy Ashcroft. The Tin-Pot Foreign General and the Old Iron Woman (1984) was a scathing denunciation of the Falklands War. However, Briggs continued to produce humour for children, in works such as the Unlucky Wally series and The Bear.
He was recognized as The Children's Author of the Year in 1993 by the British Book Awards. His graphic novel Ethel and Ernest, which portrayed his parents' 41-year marriage, won Best Illustrated Book in the 1999 British Book Awards.
His first three major works, Father Christmas, Father Christmas Goes on Holiday (both featuring a curmudgeonly Father Christmas who complains incessantly about the "blooming snow"), and Fungus the Bogeyman, were in the form of comics rather than the typical children's-book format of separate text and illustrations. The Snowman (1978) was entirely wordless, and illustrated with only pencil crayons. The Snowman became Briggs' best-known work when in 1982 it was made into an Oscar nominated animated cartoon, that has been shown every year since on British television.
Briggs continued to work in a similar format, but with more adult content, in Gentleman Jim (1980), a sombre look at the working class trials of Jim and Hilda Bloggs, closely based on his parents. When the Wind Blows (1982) confronted the trusting, optimistic Bloggs couple with the horror of nuclear war, and was praised in the British House of Commons for its timeliness and originality. The topic was inspired after Briggs watched a Panorama documentary on nuclear contingency planning, and the dense format of the page was inspired by a Swiss publisher's miniature version of Father Christmas. This book was turned into a two-handed radio play with Peter Sallis in the male lead role, and subsequently an animated film, featuring John Mills and Peggy Ashcroft. The Tin-Pot Foreign General and the Old Iron Woman (1984) was a scathing denunciation of the Falklands War. However, Briggs continued to produce humour for children, in works such as the Unlucky Wally series and The Bear.
He was recognized as The Children's Author of the Year in 1993 by the British Book Awards. His graphic novel Ethel and Ernest, which portrayed his parents' 41-year marriage, won Best Illustrated Book in the 1999 British Book Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
December 20, 2023
RIP, Raymond Briggs, August 9, 2022.
Charming, whimsical, slightly irreverent, Father Christmas, who in Raymond Brigg's way of thinking lives in northern England, is somewhat tired and grumpy at the realization that yet another Christmas has come around: "Blooming Christmas is here again!" (1973 publishing standards for children being what they were, the word "blooming" we might imagine is a replacement for another, harsher verb?).
This book appears to be a picture book but the tale is told in comics fashion, via panels, and all different size panels, depending on the page. Some pages are packed with (small) panels, so you have to lean in to appreciate the details, which I do, imagining an oversized edition where the illustrations can better breathe. But there are many wordless pages (recalling his wordless picture book and subsequent film, The Snowman) I love, and there are few words, so we can get charmed by the adorable FC as he lightly complains: "Blooming snow!" "Blooming cold!" Okay, he does allude to FC's saying something harsher at one point: "@!!!xxx%*@ weather!"
No Mother Christmas in this one. He's a singleton. A couple of reindeer, that he feeds and cares for, as he does his cat and dog. Sweet!
"Happy blooming Christmas to you, too!?" Father Christmas snaps at us at the end.
Charming, whimsical, slightly irreverent, Father Christmas, who in Raymond Brigg's way of thinking lives in northern England, is somewhat tired and grumpy at the realization that yet another Christmas has come around: "Blooming Christmas is here again!" (1973 publishing standards for children being what they were, the word "blooming" we might imagine is a replacement for another, harsher verb?).
This book appears to be a picture book but the tale is told in comics fashion, via panels, and all different size panels, depending on the page. Some pages are packed with (small) panels, so you have to lean in to appreciate the details, which I do, imagining an oversized edition where the illustrations can better breathe. But there are many wordless pages (recalling his wordless picture book and subsequent film, The Snowman) I love, and there are few words, so we can get charmed by the adorable FC as he lightly complains: "Blooming snow!" "Blooming cold!" Okay, he does allude to FC's saying something harsher at one point: "@!!!xxx%*@ weather!"
No Mother Christmas in this one. He's a singleton. A couple of reindeer, that he feeds and cares for, as he does his cat and dog. Sweet!
"Happy blooming Christmas to you, too!?" Father Christmas snaps at us at the end.
December 26, 2022
We always read this on Christmas eve. It is a wonderful story and all the more realistic for father Christmas living in a terraced house up north somewhere. We loved the details of the preparation. We (as parents) think we have to start early/ have enough to do but this makes you appreciate the sheer list of requests this man has. We love the details of the 24th, making the flask of tea and sandwiches, making sure the dog and cat are fed and the getting the reindeers ready. The journey itself is wonderful, we love the cross sections of houses and ending up with an igloo and an overlooked present for an important London address.
We also really enjoy the getting home part, putting on his Christmas dinner, unwrapping his own presents and having some down time dreaming of the summer.
We also really enjoy the getting home part, putting on his Christmas dinner, unwrapping his own presents and having some down time dreaming of the summer.
September 28, 2021
I've got such strong memories of watching both this and The Snowman as a kid that I've always seen them as the perfect double bill and enjoy both equally.
This has such a fun take on Father Christmas as his job routine is more akin to adult life.
From bemoaning that his alarm has gone off to his dislike of working in the cold weather, there's something just instantly funny seeing Santa having a full English breakfast before doing his rounds.
This has such a fun take on Father Christmas as his job routine is more akin to adult life.
From bemoaning that his alarm has gone off to his dislike of working in the cold weather, there's something just instantly funny seeing Santa having a full English breakfast before doing his rounds.
June 7, 2019
A very down-to-earth Father Christmas, grumbling his way through Christmas Eve deliveries. Adorable.
One of the books in my daughter's Christmas collection.
5 Stars = For sentimental reasons.
One of the books in my daughter's Christmas collection.
5 Stars = For sentimental reasons.
December 28, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2011
In this very funny graphic novel, which appeals to adults and children alike, we discover that Father Christmas lives in Northern England - I can't help wondering whether he knows Wallace and Gromit. The video follows the book fairly closely. Some of my favourite sequences:
[Father Christmas, visiting France, is ordering in a posh restaurant]
FATHER CHRISTMAS: Any ketchup?
SNOOTY WAITER: [horrible fake laugh] Vous plaisantez, Monsieur?
FATHER CHRISTMAS: H.P. sauce?
SNOOTY WAITER: *%!!!
FATHER CHRISTMAS: [sotto voce] I think that means no H.P. sauce.
[After an unpleasant bout of diarrhea, he's now arrived in Scotland]
FATHER CHRISTMAS: Best water in the world! After all, they make whiskey out of it!
[He's just come down the chimney and found himself in the middle of a fancy dress party]
SOPHISTICATED WOMAN: [looking him up and down and shaking head] NOT very original...
[Father Christmas, visiting France, is ordering in a posh restaurant]
FATHER CHRISTMAS: Any ketchup?
SNOOTY WAITER: [horrible fake laugh] Vous plaisantez, Monsieur?
FATHER CHRISTMAS: H.P. sauce?
SNOOTY WAITER: *%!!!
FATHER CHRISTMAS: [sotto voce] I think that means no H.P. sauce.
[After an unpleasant bout of diarrhea, he's now arrived in Scotland]
FATHER CHRISTMAS: Best water in the world! After all, they make whiskey out of it!
[He's just come down the chimney and found himself in the middle of a fancy dress party]
SOPHISTICATED WOMAN: [looking him up and down and shaking head] NOT very original...
April 25, 2023
A brilliant short comic of a grumpy British Santa on Christmas Eve being a bit bitter about snow and winter and having to do his job.
Told with Raymond Briggs's beautiful illustrations, it's one of his better books - although a tad short.
Told with Raymond Briggs's beautiful illustrations, it's one of his better books - although a tad short.
November 15, 2007
I got this book as a Christmas gift, and I vaguely recall my mother being concerned that it would destroy my image of Santa Claus, whom I still very much believed in. While I can understand her concern, she couldn't have been more wrong. This book made me love Santa even more! Before I was introduced to Raymond Briggs's version, Santa was a fairly amorphous concept, but after reading Father Christmas he was a grumpy old man who lived alone and who hated getting socks and ties as gifts, but said "Good old Fred" when he opened a bottle of brandy. He also talked to himself, cursed, used the toilet, and cared very much for his four reindeer. Best mythical figure ever!
December 29, 2023
89/1001 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up
'That's that done for another year.'
'That's that done for another year.'
November 20, 2018
Presented in comic-book form, this delightfully humorous holiday tale features a grouchy Father Christmas, one who struggles out of bed on the important day, trudges through his morning chores and his breakfast, and then sets out - complaining all the way, ha ha! - on his annual trek around the world. From the difficulties of letting himself into various homes - sooty chimneys, too-thin chimneys, no chimneys - to the challenges of weather - "blooming snow! - this Father Christmas has plenty to keep him kvetching, until (finally!) he reaches home again...
Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1973, Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas is quite a treat, visually speaking, with a suitably rosy-cheeked, chubby hero, one whose "sweet" appearance is hilariously contrasted with his somewhat curmudgeonly attitude. Mileage will probably vary with this one, but I enjoyed its prickly sense of humor, appreciated many of the little details - Father Christmas telling his reindeer to "Keep still you silly deers," or complaining of getting socks and ties as gifts - and finished it with a distinct sense of regret, that I never encountered it as a child.
Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1973, Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas is quite a treat, visually speaking, with a suitably rosy-cheeked, chubby hero, one whose "sweet" appearance is hilariously contrasted with his somewhat curmudgeonly attitude. Mileage will probably vary with this one, but I enjoyed its prickly sense of humor, appreciated many of the little details - Father Christmas telling his reindeer to "Keep still you silly deers," or complaining of getting socks and ties as gifts - and finished it with a distinct sense of regret, that I never encountered it as a child.
September 7, 2017
Not Raymond Briggs at his best (see 'Fungus the Bogeyman' and 'When the Wind Blows') this is still a lovely book - with Briggs usual wit and lovely illustrations throughout.
February 5, 2014
This book made some kids very upset when I read this to them. It actually left one child adamant that Santa must be fake as 'he cannot possibly be angry and have a potty-mouth!"
This can be amusing for adults but not very child appropriate. Santa is weather resenting, cursing and is found drinking alcohol on every page! Horrible portrayal of Santa for the kids! Read for yourself for some holiday irony but be warned it may kill a child's Christmas Spirit.
This can be amusing for adults but not very child appropriate. Santa is weather resenting, cursing and is found drinking alcohol on every page! Horrible portrayal of Santa for the kids! Read for yourself for some holiday irony but be warned it may kill a child's Christmas Spirit.
February 17, 2023
Me, too, Santa; I also wish I were on vacation somewhere warm!
July 27, 2011
I just love this book. I came across it just the other day when I was in the attic and it instantly put a smile on my face. Father Christmas is a wonderful cartoon strip story of that magical December night when all the children of the world are visited by that special man. Although first published in 1973, this is another untimely classic that will never date. I still love the image of Father Christmas having to use a wheel barrow to fill up his sleigh with presents. By allowing the readers to see inside the houses as Father Christmas battles with aerials and squeezes his way down chimneys to deliver the presents, Briggs ignites the anticipation and delight in all who are patiently awaiting his arrival. So in tune with children Briggs was in the writing of this book, that he manages to include all the things that children wonder about Father Christmas, like does he like the food we leave him to eat? Where does he land in his sleigh? How does he get into houses that don’t have chimneys?
His refrain of “blooming” this and “blooming” that, makes this book unique and unforgettable. I hope to pass my copy of this book onto my children and I will definitely be using it in the classroom too. “Blooming Christmas here again!”
His refrain of “blooming” this and “blooming” that, makes this book unique and unforgettable. I hope to pass my copy of this book onto my children and I will definitely be using it in the classroom too. “Blooming Christmas here again!”
October 12, 2021
Gorgeous! If you feel uncomfortable talking to young kids about Santa and misleading them, read this comic. You will have no qualms sharing this with younger readers. There are no elves, no mention of the North pole, and none of the capitalist hoopla surrounding the figure of Santa Claus. Briggs creates a believable, hardworking, grumpy and working-class Santa, with just a dash of magic sprinkled over the pages of this comic. A beautiful silent comic with very few dialogues that I would recommend to everyone.
December 16, 2024
Brilliant. Wonderfully illustrated, funny and original. A+++!
May 3, 2020
A Brilliant book of great pictures.
December 2, 2020
This is cute if you don't mind a grumpy Santa.
August 16, 2022
This is one of my favourite books now onwards! Such an interesting take on our Santa Claus 🎅
Read
December 31, 2024My family encouraged me to read this bc I wanted to get 40 books before 2025 😭
December 24, 2024
Just a grumpy Santa, whinging and cursing the night away, illustrated in a series of adorable drawings
March 24, 2022
INTERVIEWER: Do you even like children?
RAYMOND BRIGGS: Not as a species, no.
RAYMOND BRIGGS: Not as a species, no.
October 30, 2013
I absolutely love this book about your not so stereotypical Father Christmas!!
The story is told in a graphic novel form with detailed and very descriptive pictures which can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. The story is about a rather grumpy and 'blooming' cold Father Christmas and what he has to do on Christmas Eve. It really makes Father Christmas seem more real and in some ways more loveable as a consequence.
The story is great to use to introduce children to a different types of novels and could get children telling their own stories through pictures. This could be particularly useful for children who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Furthermore, it could be linked to some great art work for children to be inspired and create their own comic strips. As the story has very little text it could also be used to get children constructing their own sentences, speech and thought bubbles to accompany the pictures. Father Christmas is such a powerful book that could be used in so many ways and would make a great addition to everyone's book shelf.
The story is told in a graphic novel form with detailed and very descriptive pictures which can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. The story is about a rather grumpy and 'blooming' cold Father Christmas and what he has to do on Christmas Eve. It really makes Father Christmas seem more real and in some ways more loveable as a consequence.
The story is great to use to introduce children to a different types of novels and could get children telling their own stories through pictures. This could be particularly useful for children who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Furthermore, it could be linked to some great art work for children to be inspired and create their own comic strips. As the story has very little text it could also be used to get children constructing their own sentences, speech and thought bubbles to accompany the pictures. Father Christmas is such a powerful book that could be used in so many ways and would make a great addition to everyone's book shelf.
December 25, 2021
Join Father Christmas on his sometimes less than jolly trip around the world, then snuggle in with him as he rests up from his journey, and celebrates his own Christmas. (Yes, kiddies, even Santa sometimes gets socks as a gift.)
Briggs' imagination and lovely art offer up a unique insider perspective on a familiar tale.
Briggs' imagination and lovely art offer up a unique insider perspective on a familiar tale.
December 31, 2015
Turns out I am not a fan of a crotchety Santa who complains about every aspect of his job and only seems content when drinking wine, ale or cognac. Other than seeing Santa sitting on the toilet, I can't imagine most kids would enjoy this tale.
April 19, 2024
Found this and its companion volume at a charity book sale. Best 2 Euros that I've spent in a long time. Wonderfully illustrated and written with Briggs' trademark curmudgeonly charm.
November 10, 2020
Raymond Briggs portrays Santa as a cranky old bitch and I 👏 am 👏 here 👏 for 👏 it! 👏
December 28, 2023
Father Christmas, if he was born and bred in East Lancs and eternally ready for a beer and a kip. What's not to love?
November 23, 2018
Valkoinen parta, punainen nuttu ja lentävät porot ovat tuttua juttua, mutta muutoin viiletetään vähän tavallisesta poikkeavalla linjalla. Vai mitä sanotte joulupukista, joka vihaa talvea, ei varsinaisesti rakasta myöskään työtään, joka mielellään latkii konjakkia ja polttaa aterian päälle sikarin ja jolla palaa käpy kurjan sään takia? Kerrassaan hupaisa joulukirja, hihii!
Nappasin tämän mukaan kirjaston lastenosastolta, mutta itse vinkkaisin mieluummin aikuisille.
Nappasin tämän mukaan kirjaston lastenosastolta, mutta itse vinkkaisin mieluummin aikuisille.
December 23, 2022
Tra le pagine di questo libro sono racchiusi i Natali della mia infanzia. E sarò di parte perchè lo leggo ogni anno da quando ho sei anni, ma non trovo libro di Natale più bello di questo.
Le illustrazioni sono incredibili, e questa è una versione di Babbo Natale così diversa, divertente e quasi più concreta delle altre, da essere una delle più speciali che ci siano.
Bellissimo ❤️
Le illustrazioni sono incredibili, e questa è una versione di Babbo Natale così diversa, divertente e quasi più concreta delle altre, da essere una delle più speciali che ci siano.
Bellissimo ❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews