When Santa Fell to Earth

Author Cornelia Funke (INKHEART) reads this fantastical Christmas fable capably in her German-accented voice, sounding smoky and confiding (and a little like Lena Olin). One of the last "true" santas, Niklas Goodfellow, crash-lands in a small town, and his invisible, marzipan-loving reindeer, Twinklestar, goes missing. Lonely kids Ben and Charlotte learn his identity, help save him from giant nutcrackers, and discover some real Christmas magic. Funke gives distinguishing voices to many of the characters, particularly Niklas's comical entourage-- plump angels Matilda and Emmanuel and a caravan full of wee grumbly elves. Get out the hot cocoa--this is charming seasonal listening for the whole family. J.M.D. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

September 25, 2006
Funke's (Inkheart
) reinvention of the Santa myth involves foul-mouthed elves, invisible reindeer and angels who sew, bake, cobble boots and collect children's dreams for Niklas Goodfellow, the last real Santa. After Goodfellow's caravan plummets to the earth during a thunderstorm, a kind boy named Ben, with nasty parents and a self-esteem problem, is bullied into knocking on the caravan's door. He learns Goodfellow is in grave danger from Gerold Goblynch, a Santa who's crossed over to the dark side, embracing a commercialized Christmas and sending the reindeer to the meat-packing plant. The wild explanations of Santa's operations and the scatological humor may appeal to kids who no longer believe, but younger children may be horrified at reindeer turned into salami, or frightened by Goblynch's giant Nutcracker henchmen. Ages 9-12.