Customer Reviews

When Santa Fell to Earth

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ben is just beginning to get excited about the forthcoming holiday season, when he learns that his parents have decided to forgo the chilly weather, and head to a tropical environment where they can hang out in the sun, and sip fruity drinks. This news instantly sends Ben into a downward spiral, leaving him upset, and wishing that Christmas vacation will never come. But when he encounters a strange young man named Niklas Goodfellow, all of Ben's cynical emotions fly out the window. Niklas has seemingly appeared on Ben's street out of nowhere, his colorful caravan sitting in a strange spot. On a dare, Ben runs up to the door of the caravan, and meets the peculiar person, and so starts the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Ben soon learns that Niklas is the last real Santa Claus, and that his caravan - pulled by his currently missing, marzipan-loving reindeer, Twinklestar - crashed to earth in the midst of a storm, and is now stuck on this oft-times money-hungry street as he searches for the snow white colored reindeer, and attempts to fix the wheels on his broken caravan. But Niklas is not alone. He has brought two chubby angels with him - Matilda and Emmanuel - who flit around the good-natured man; along with a chest full of little elves who are preparing presents for all of the good little boys and girls. But there is one thing lurking about Niklas that could put him out of business for good. An extreme evil known only as Gerold Geronimus Golynch - a bad Santa who wants nothing more than to take Niklas' boots, and turn him into a bar of chocolate. But now, with the help of Ben, and a bug-eyed girl named Charlotte, along with her dog Mutt, Niklas plans to fight off Gerold, and bring the true spirit of Christmas back to every girl and boy in the world. But if he fails, Christmas may be lost forever.

Cornelia Funke is certainly one of the most intrepid new fantasy writers to hit the scene in years, and the release of her holiday novel, WHEN SANTA FELL TO EARTH, only illustrates that fact even more. Funke's trademark magical scenes, and enchanting moments prevail in this fantastical account of two children looking to help the "real" Santa Claus save Christmas. Funke adds her own little touches regarding the holidays, from making Niklas Goodfellow look quite different from what Santa Claus is known to look like; to giving the elves snippy personalities laced with bad language and fierce tempers. The angels Matilda and Emmanuel are saintly characters, whose good-natured, loving attitudes stay true to the spirit of Christmas; while the marzipan-loving Twinklestar is a supreme trouble maker, who you can't help but love. The friendship that develops between Ben and the unlikely Charlotte is quite a treat to witness; while the snowy world of Yule Land is a beauty all in itself. Coupled with gorgeous illustrations (sometimes full-page ones) by Paul Howard, WHEN SANTA FELL TO EARTH is a wonderful, fantastical joyride into the world of Santa Claus, and the many hardships he encounters each year. An unstoppable holiday thrill ride that will leave everyone in the Christmas spirit!

Erika Sorocco

A 2006 U.S. release, When Santa Fell to Earth is a less than traditional tale told in Funkesque style. The Great Christmas Council, consisting of hundreds of Santas, goes bad under the leadership of Gerold Geronimus Goblynch. After turning all but one of the reindeer into salami, the money-hungry, tradition-crushing Goblynch unjustly bars Niklas Goodfellow from working as a Santa.

Niklas (who is the last true Santa), two pint-sized angels, and a drawerful of hilariously grumpy elves, find themselves stranded on Earth when their invisible, marzipan-loving reindeer panics in a storm.

"Terrified, Twinklestar reared up, broke his reins, and bolted down toward Earth. Niklas Goodfellow's reindeerless caravan swayed from side to side like a boat on a churning sea. Then it toppled forward into the swirling clouds, Niklas tumbled out of bed, hitting his head on the leg of a chair, and rolled helter-skelter under a table" (Page 2).

With Goblynch's band of giant, evil Nutcrackers in hot pursuit and the threat of being turned into a chocolate Santa looming large, the clan joins forces with two neighborhood kids to set Christmas right.

The poetic style, dazzling imagery and timeless themes Funke is famous for are certainly present in this book, and exquisite pencil drawings by Paul Howard brilliantly complement the richness of her writing. The main question that weighs in my mind is whether a middle grader will buy into the concept of Santa. If so, this book is sure to please.

It's also important to keep in mind that When Santa Fell to Earth is not part of the Inkheart trilogy. With far less sub-plotting, emotion and conflict, this book is shorter and simpler in every way. That's not to say it's less in anyway. It's simply for the youngest end of the 9 to 12-year old range.

Cornelia Funke writes the perfect holiday book for both children and adults! The storyline is clever and makes you smile practically the entire way through!

The story is centered on Ben, a child that appears to be an underachiever, and Niklas Goodfellow, the last real Santa Clause. The evil Gerold Geronimus Goblynch is in charge of the Great Christmas Council and has outlawed the old ways magic was once used for children. Niklas Goodfellow's remaining friends, which consists of elves, angels, and a reindeer, have been banned and/or exterminated. Instead of utilizing these magical creatures, snowmobiles are replacing them forever. Any Santa who disagrees with the new rules is turned into Chocolate. While Niklas was supposed to be in hiding, his reindeer escapes while flying one night; thus, Santa falls to Earth! Now, it's up to Ben and his new friend Charlotte to help the last Santa.

While this is an excellent story, Funke concludes with almost a bittersweet ending. Funke's character, Ben, doesn't seem to develop as the story progresses. Readers will assume Ben is maturing, but as the story continues, he seems to fall into old habits that classify him as the underachiever. It's quite unfortunate that Funke portrays almost every adult as being neglectful of their children yet somehow keeps the spirit of Christmas anticipatory for children! It's a wonderfully hilarious book but be warned that some characters never change (even with the spirit of Christmas).

This looked so intriguing that I purchased it, despite not liking Funke's much-ballyhooed INKSPELL. The description alone made it sound like fun: "The leader of the Great Christmas Council, one Gerold Geronimus Goblynch, has outlawed all of the old, magical ways. Snowmobiles have replaced reindeer, elves and angels are banned, and noncompliant Santas are turned into chocolate. Niklas Goodfellow is the last real Santa. He and his ramshackle companions--two fat angels named Matilda and Emmanuel, an invisible reindeer, and a bunch of foulmouthed elves (steaming reindeer poo!)--are hiding from the Council. Luckily, local children Ben and Charlotte and Charlotte's dog, Mutt, join forces to save Niklas from a chocolatey fate."

While I didn't find this as magical as THE LEGEND OF HOLLY CLAUS or as humorous and endearing as CHRISTINE KRINGLE, this was an imaginative tale with memorable characters, down to Ben's downbeat parents who want to go to tropical climes for Christmas. The text is set within charming black-and-white art and Niklas is the type of Santa we'd all love to have visit our homes. Parental note: the elves don't actually use any *really* bad language, but those with small children who love to parrot "dirty words" might be a bit taken aback by Niklas' rowdy elves. Also, Ben is allowed to cheat in school without any repercussions, which might sit badly with some.

Santa Clause related Fantasy Fiction is not as prolific as mainstream fantasy, understandably so, considering mot people dig it out only during the related holiday, but it makes an interesting comparison with other genres if you ever look into it. It is more often explored in film than in books. This book being only the second one of it's genre I've read, it does have a parallel with other non seasonal fantasy which might recommend it.

For fans of Harry Potter, or even the original Mary Poppins Stories, the magic has some slight similarities. The most obvious of these that occured to me was the use of wizarding space, or what I like to call BITO Space. (Bigger Inside than Outside.)This type of space is part of several classic series, Mary Poppins' Carpet Bag, The TARDIS, the flying Ford Anglia, and Hermionee's Handbag and Bookbag are all examples of it's use. Nikalas Goodfellows' caravan has some signs of it. The usual supposition is that the inside of given object is in a separate sub dimension from the outside of the same object, which is little more than a portal extending from that dimension.

This book also shows Santa Magic being used to alter sizes of toys.
A further quirk is the depiction of the magical races, and the choice of "angels" as one of those races.

It is written with a wry sense of humor and a simple but believable set of characters. Only the Father and the major villain flatten slightly, but as this is what an audience brought up on J.K. Rowling and similar authors expects, I do not blame the author. She is German, and I have only read her in translation as I do not speak German, but her nation almost created the pre-American Christmas that the modern celebration is largely built on, and one detects more than a touch of disgust at what Americans have done with the holiday.
In general, if you want a short amusing read and you have a taste for fantasy, this book makes a neat little snack-er-read.

This was not the best book that we have ever read, and not the best Cornelia Funke book, but it was certainly worth the time. She had a lot of interesting ideas about how Santa fits the toys into his sack, makes it snow, etc. I read it to my 7 year-old twins and their favorite part was the elves, who had a habit of "cursing", saying things like, "steaming reindeer poo" when they got angry. My 11 year-old said that he was too old for it, but he was mysteriously within hearing distance whenever I was reading. Worth the read.

I purchased this audio book for my seven year old after she fell in love with Igraine The Brave and Dragon Ryder also by Cornelia Funke. This audio book (unabridged) did not let down my expectations and neither, more importantly, my seven year old. This is a quirky story beautifully read by Cornelia Funke herself and will entertain the listener. While it is not a classic Santa story, the plot of the book thanks to the great imagination of the author shies away from usual Santa stereotypes, I highly recommend both the book and the audio book version. My daughter has listened to this CD at least ten times since we purchased and still gets hooked on to the story. The quality of the audio book is great like, I might add, all of the Listening Library series. Worth the money!

The book arrived on time and in good condition and is intended as a Gift.

I recommend this book to everyone who loves Christmas and hates to say good-bye to it. When Santa Fell to Earth written by Cornelia Funke is certainly not the typical Christmas story. I found the book to be addicting and I did not want to put it down. The author spins a tale about a world where there are many Santas, each Santa has a reindeer, and instead of pulling a sleigh that Santa rides in, the reindeer pulls a caravan. Angels, elves, an evil Santa that wants to change Christmas so there is no magic and just corporate greed, scary nutcrackers, and one really good Santa all help to make this book addictive right to the last page. Believe me, if you were reading the book right now, you would not be able to put it down.

Even though the story is exciting and explains lots of Christmas mysteries, the main character is just an ordinary kid like you and me. He has some problems with math at school, not many friends, and his parents want to go someplace warm during Christmas instead of staying home. Ben becomes part of the tale when he dares to knock on the door of a strange caravan that appears on his street. In the caravan, which magically is bigger inside than what it looks from the outside, Ben meets the last real Santa, Niklas Goodfellow. He also meets two angel helpers, and a group of elves who like to swear. Santa's reindeer, Twinklestar, ran off during the storm that brought the caravan to earth. Luckily, after Ben hears Niklas' story, he and a girl named Charlotte and her dog Mutt are able to find Twinklestar. He had been hiding out in a department store where they had lots of marzipan, his favorite food. Finding an invisible reindeer isn't easy, and Niklas rewards Ben and Charlotte by showing them the elves' workshop inside the caravan. How could you not want to read a book that explains how Santa is able to carry all those presents in one sack? Just hearing Niklas, the angels and elves tell Ben and Charlotte how one bad Santa has tried to take over Christmas makes me want to read the book again.

If you want to find out what happens to Goblynch (the bad Santa), how the elves bring snow from Yule Land to the earth, why Niklas can't remove his boots, how Ben and his family become closer and discover the magic of Christmas, and what happens at the end of the story, then make sure you read When Santa Fell to Earth. If your library does not have a copy, you can borrow mine as long as you promise to return it. Even though the story is not traditional, it will fill you with good spirit and Christmas cheer.

This book took a few chapters to "get into it" but turned out to be a good holiday read.