A sumptuous gift book originated from the beautiful letters and drawings Tolkien, in the guise of Father Christmas, sent his children over a twenty year period. The letters tell the story of life at the North Pole, the mischievous North Polar Bear, the helpful Ilbereth the elf, and the adventures they shared between the Christmases. As well as beautifully reproduced pictures, the book also features 10 envelopes containing 10 pull-out letters and pictures for children to read, hold and enjoy. The pull-outs are facsimile extracts of the original letters, with simple 'translation' on the back of each to help those who have trouble deciphering Father Christmas's shaky handwriting.
This was a great little book I received for Christmas. I like that these letters were kept and preserved over the years, then put into print years after Tolkien's passing so that they could be enjoyed by many others. They give an insight into the love and interest that Tolkien had for his children. A lot of thought, imagination, and effort went into these annual letters, and you get an idea of the life his four children had as they grew up.
