The Girl Who Saved Christmas

Supposedly this stands alone, but I recommend that you read the first one first.

I hate to give it only three stars, but even though it's creative and fun, there are too many flaws. I won't fuss about the ones in the text, though. There's a lot of like in Haig's writing and his ideas, so I don't want to discourage you too much from reading this. For example, you don't want to miss "Mr. Creeper, like all bullies, was deep down a very scared kind of person."

Illustrations similarly frustrating. For example, the tables in the elves' workshop are sized for humans. The only human around is, of course, Father Christmas. And Amelia is still wearing her chimney sweeper clothes after a year in the workhouse, though she was issued a sack dress when brought there.

I'm really annoyed at the book design: there's a two-page spread, with the focal point of the image bound right in the middle.

Recommended if you liked "A Boy Called Christmas."

Second part of the book about the boy who saved Christmas. It could be read practically without reading the first one, although it makes references. Personally, I liked it a lot and wouldn't hesitate to read it again later and recommend it. Perfect for Christmas readers. (Translated from Spanish)

Audiobook. These little Christmas fables are so enjoyable.

Amelia was the first girl to believe in magic when she wrote her letter to Santa Claus, and that is why Christmas began to be celebrated. But some evil trolls destroyed Elfthem, Santa's kingdom, along with his sleigh, and because of that, Christmas had to be canceled. Amelia's wish went unfulfilled, and her situation became complicated. A year later, she lives in a cold orphanage run by Mr. Terror, a cold, bitter, and cruel man. For Christmas to be celebrated again, it is vital for Amelia to regain hope so that magic can be restored. And that is precisely what Santa Claus will try to do: reach out to Amelia to save Christmas before it is too late and magic disappears forever. It is a highly entertaining children's book that beautifully conveys the Christmas spirit. (Translated from Spanish)

This was the only one I have read out of this series, and maybe that was a mistake as maybe the characters would have been familiar. I read this to my 9yo son, and we both found the opening very confusing.

There were too many characters presented with all the different elves, pixies, and trolls, which made it difficult to remember who was who. There was not enough time to build any solid characters in our minds as it built up to an event with the trolls, and then these characters were left hanging while another story took over.

The interjection of the story with Amelia Wishhart in the early part of the story sort of interrupted the flow, but it was intriguing and we waited for them to join together, but it was a long wait. It made this initial story less enjoyable, because it was unclear why it had happened and not believable how Father Christmas had stopped it and then ignored until the end.

We really enjoyed the Amelia Wishhart storyline: the characters were developed and well presented, and we loved the play on Charles Dicken's - not only as he was brought in as a character - but because his novel, Oliver Twist, was reflected in the storyline.

The two stories were then brought together at the end and sort of sown together. I felt they could have been written as two separate books really.

Having really enjoyed How to Become A Cat, I felt a little let down by this book, which felt as disjointed as this review.

This is an entertaining, juvenile aged holiday book. I love the spirit and story. I recommend this book for your holiday collection.

An entertaining follow up to A Boy Called Christmas. Amelia Wishart is the only reason Father Christmas was able to access enough magic to stop time and deliver presents to children around the world a year ago. Now, Amelia could use some magic of her own. Her mother is ill and Mr. Creeper is eager to put Amelia into his workhouse, a place more bleak and dire than even Charles Dickens would have you believe. Father Christmas wants to help but is thwarted by an inexplicable interference. Will he be too late to restore hope in Amelia? Another story by Haig that deals with terribly depressing situations and life-threatening events with clever humor, creative characters (humans, elves, trolls, and pixies!), and magical adventure. Good holiday fare for all ages.