Imagine that a father makes sure that his children get a letter from Santa Claus (or Father Christmas, as he's often known in the UK) every year. Heartwarming thought, isn't it? Now imagine that that father is the highly-educated and incredibly talented J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the internationally-acclaimed classics "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings," among many other works.

Tolkien had four children and always encouraged them to write letters to Father Christmas when the holiday season approached, and with his help, Father Christmas wrote back – not to mention other characters, such as his bumbling but lovable assistant the North Polar Bear and his elf secretary Ilbereth. Each letter is lovingly handwritten, with each character having their own special lettering style, and often in multiple colors – this book reproduces the letters' colors.

But that's not all. The letters often included illustrations of the goings-on at the North Pole. Tolkien often illustrated the envelope as well, drawing a special "North Pole" stamp and sometimes other graphics. These are all included in this book. As the years went by, the fanciful world of Father Christmas at the North Pole grew, and he had to contend with the Man in the Moon dropping by for unannounced visits or even with attacks by the mischievous Goblins who lived in the caverns below his home.

To make reading easier, the text of the letters is also printed on pages opposite the reproductions of the letters, but you'll want to look at both, to see the illustrations and graphical additions that Tolkien included as he let his fantastic imagination expand the world of Father Christmas. This material was first published in 1976, but this is the centenary edition, published in 2020, as the first letter was "sent" in 1920, when Tolkien's first child was three years old. He kept writing these until the final poignant letter of 1943, when his youngest child was on the verge of being too old for Father Christmas. But still, Father Christmas always looks forward to the time when they will have children of their own, and to bringing gifts and sending letters to them.

Heartwarming and relentlessly creative holiday cheer for all ages from a master, in a beautiful hardcover edition with a bookmark ribbon. I heartily recommend this book if you have children, know any children, or ever were a child. Edited by Baillie Tolkien, second wife of J.R.R.'s son Christopher.

Oh, I wish I could give this book 100 stars! I would do it! The letters from J. R. R. Tolkien - “Father Christmas” - to his children over the years 1920 to 1943 are touching, funny, and poignant. The artwork from the letters is so beautiful. I can imagine his children, overcome with delight, when they received these letters. Sometimes whimsical (with corrections by PB - Polar Bear), and sometimes sentimental, these letters reach the heart. In the later years, references to the war and short supplies give context and heartfelt sympathy for the children of the world. The book itself is beautiful, filled with color illustrations from “Father Christmas.” Letters from Father Christmas is treasure.

What a delightful book! My parents made our Christmases magical but imagine what it would be like to receive letters from Father Christmas written by the author who created the hobbits?

Tolkien created the letters and drawings for his children; he did not intend for them to be published. But I’m grateful we have them.

They provide insights into the Tolkien family life and the times when they lived.

Since Father Christmas often answered their questions and remarked on the children’s drawings they sent, it would seem the children corresponded with Father Christmas throughout the year.

Father Christmas spoke to their needs and their requests, often reminding the children as they aged when not to expect a stocking.

Father Christmas shared the highlights and troubles of the year at the North Pole, with stories of Polar Bear and the goblin wars. He related the events of the real world to what was happening in the North Pole in a way the children could relate to.

Amid the delights of the North Pole, I believe this could be a parenting manual on sharing the joys of magical belief.

Very cool book. Gave new insight into Tolkein's personality. But not really a children's book, as we thought.

My son is an adult Tolkien fan….He has loved Christmas since childhood, and I call him Mr. Christmas. I was hoping he did not have this book, and he didn’t. He said it was his best Christmas gift. A real win for a Mom who is unsure what to buy him when you want to give more than a gift card.

The book is lovely with full color original illustrations by JRR Tolkien on nearly every page. The stories he wrote for his children, especially through the years of WW2, are incredibly inventive and at times, served to be the real Christmas gift for them, when resources for purchased presents were nil.

If you love Christmas, children's books and illustrated works, you will love this edition.

The ONLY disappointment was in the shipping. The book was simply placed inside a slightly padded shipping envelope with no protective bubble wrap. The corners were dinged up a bit and one edge was bent. I suppose it's fortunate it wasn't more damaged. This is a beautiful hardcover book which deserved better packaging.

This is a great addition to our holiday collection!

This collection of letters that Professor Tolkien (of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fame) wrote over a series of years to his children at Christmas time. He primarily wrote in the voice of Father Christmas, but there are occasional interjections from other characters, as they prepare for Christmas each year and respond to the requests of the various children at various ages.

The hard bound book has both the original letters, which he wrote in a disguised hand and self-illustrated, as well as clean transcripts. I had a paperback version, which unfortunately did not hold up to years of seasonal re-reads, and I am delighted to see that the hardback version opens fully, which puts little stress on the binding as the book is read.

This is a wonderful collection for both fans of Tolkien and fans of Christmas.

Condition: Wasn't exactly "like new", as it had been described (some marks on the corners, see photo).

This edition: Definitely recommend it. It is comprehensive in the collection of letters, and also has the text typed besides them, so we can more easily read it (Tolkien's handwriting was beautiful, but can be hard to go through). There is no index?! The cover and edition are just lovely, and I think this makes for a great early-winter coffee table book or a gift to young (or less young) Tolkien fans!

Literature: This is an amazing compilation and Tolkien's creativity, humour, and love for his children comes through in every letter. Definitely recommend it!

Recieved promptly, great packaging, perfect quality. Book looks amazing but as I just received I haven't read.

A family read. Best for kids.

I loved the illustrations most.

Tolkein is the best among all, writing letters as Father Christmas to his children.

Best book, go for it. (centenary edition)

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Great book. Highly recommended.