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Children's Circle Stories #3
Der falsche Bart des Weihnachtsmanns: Storys
Für alle, die den Weihnachtslieder-Braten-Kekse-Trott ein wenig durchbrechen wollen:
Explodierendes Weihnachtsgebäck, abscheuliche Schneemänner, hilfsbereite Rebhühner in Birnbäumen, ein Weihnachtsmann, der im Zoo arbeitet, im Spielwarenladen für Aufruhr sorgt oder gar wegen Einbruchs verhaftet wird.
Mit elf absolut irrwitzigen Geschichten rückt Terry Pratchett Weihnachten in ein gänzlich anderes Licht.
177 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
116 people are currently reading
1260 people want to read
About the author
Terry Pratchett
687 books46.3k followersSir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983–2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
December 18, 2023
Father Christmas’s Fake Beard - 4/5
A homeless person called Nicholas is hired by a big supermarket to be their Father Christmas. Nicholas doesn’t need a fake beard, as he’s already got the required facial hair. He’s supposed to say “ho ho ho” to the children and give them one of the cheap toys. But Nicholas is so friendly, he allows the children to take the present they really want to have.
Just a delightfully sweet Christmas read. Maybe even a bit reminiscent of Miracle on 34th street.
The Blackbury Pie - 4/5
The mayor of Blackbury orders a very big pie that could feed the whole town. Because he doesn’t want anyone in his town to have a hungry Christmas.
I already read another version of this one in Pratchett’s A Stroke of the Pen anthology. This version seems a bit more streamlined but has the same heartwarming Christmas spirit at its core.
Prod-Ye-A’Diddle Oh! – 3,5/5
The best player of an old complicated traditional game is willing to throw the game so he can marry the daughter of someone of the opposite team.
Sweet little love story that shows that real love will overcome all obstacles if you’re willing to power through them together.
A Very Short Ice Age - 3/5
A very short story about a guy having to deal with the elements during a very short ice age.
The Computer Who Wrote To Father Christmas- 3,5/5
Father Christmas is delivering his presents when he realizes one of the letters he received was written by a computer. But a computer can’t go around believing in Father Christmas, that’s just silly.
Another heartwarming Christmas read where a hardworking computer also wants to get a little Christmas present.
Good King Wences-lost - 3/5
A man gets stranded looking for some winter fuel to warm himself against the cold. But everything is closed. So the king goes after him, with some food and fuel. To help the poor man out. But he quickly finds himself lost in the snow.
Christmas is the perfect time to reach out and help the less fortunate. Though when you try to help others, it might not always go as well as you might expect it to go.
The Weatherchick- 3/5
There’s something wrong with the weather, as mini storms are seemingly attacking people. And at the center of those storms is the town library.
Judgment Day for Father Christmas- 3,5/5
Father Christmas is on trial for, among other things, housebreaking charges. Which is necessary to deliver the Christmas presents.
This is just a fun little Christmas treat.
The Abominable Snow-baby - 4/5
A snowstorm brings the abominable snowman to the town of Blackbury. But the townspeople quickly realize it’s only just a baby. Granny intends to keep it as a pet and take care of it as it grows up, while the others just want it gone. But where there’s a baby, there’s usually also a mom.
Amusing and sweet little Christmas story about a mom who worries about her little baby. And about a son who worries about his mom.
The Twelve Gifts of Christmas- 3,5/5
A prince comes across a princess. A little bird tells him he’ll need a very special gift if he intends to woo her. And then the bird tells him a riddle.
Amusing little story with a funny riddle.
Father Christmas Goes to Work at the Zoo - 4/5
The wife of Father Christmas says she’s sick of him only having to work one evening a year. So he gets himself a real job at the zoo.
What a funny and delightful little story to end this Christmas-themed collection. It definitely shows that some people are best suited for a particular line of work.
Overall, nothing must-read. But it’s a very solid collection of amusing Christmas-themed stories to get you in the mood for the holidays.
A homeless person called Nicholas is hired by a big supermarket to be their Father Christmas. Nicholas doesn’t need a fake beard, as he’s already got the required facial hair. He’s supposed to say “ho ho ho” to the children and give them one of the cheap toys. But Nicholas is so friendly, he allows the children to take the present they really want to have.
Just a delightfully sweet Christmas read. Maybe even a bit reminiscent of Miracle on 34th street.
The Blackbury Pie - 4/5
The mayor of Blackbury orders a very big pie that could feed the whole town. Because he doesn’t want anyone in his town to have a hungry Christmas.
I already read another version of this one in Pratchett’s A Stroke of the Pen anthology. This version seems a bit more streamlined but has the same heartwarming Christmas spirit at its core.
Prod-Ye-A’Diddle Oh! – 3,5/5
The best player of an old complicated traditional game is willing to throw the game so he can marry the daughter of someone of the opposite team.
Sweet little love story that shows that real love will overcome all obstacles if you’re willing to power through them together.
A Very Short Ice Age - 3/5
A very short story about a guy having to deal with the elements during a very short ice age.
The Computer Who Wrote To Father Christmas- 3,5/5
Father Christmas is delivering his presents when he realizes one of the letters he received was written by a computer. But a computer can’t go around believing in Father Christmas, that’s just silly.
Another heartwarming Christmas read where a hardworking computer also wants to get a little Christmas present.
Good King Wences-lost - 3/5
A man gets stranded looking for some winter fuel to warm himself against the cold. But everything is closed. So the king goes after him, with some food and fuel. To help the poor man out. But he quickly finds himself lost in the snow.
Christmas is the perfect time to reach out and help the less fortunate. Though when you try to help others, it might not always go as well as you might expect it to go.
The Weatherchick- 3/5
There’s something wrong with the weather, as mini storms are seemingly attacking people. And at the center of those storms is the town library.
Judgment Day for Father Christmas- 3,5/5
Father Christmas is on trial for, among other things, housebreaking charges. Which is necessary to deliver the Christmas presents.
This is just a fun little Christmas treat.
The Abominable Snow-baby - 4/5
A snowstorm brings the abominable snowman to the town of Blackbury. But the townspeople quickly realize it’s only just a baby. Granny intends to keep it as a pet and take care of it as it grows up, while the others just want it gone. But where there’s a baby, there’s usually also a mom.
Amusing and sweet little Christmas story about a mom who worries about her little baby. And about a son who worries about his mom.
The Twelve Gifts of Christmas- 3,5/5
A prince comes across a princess. A little bird tells him he’ll need a very special gift if he intends to woo her. And then the bird tells him a riddle.
Amusing little story with a funny riddle.
Father Christmas Goes to Work at the Zoo - 4/5
The wife of Father Christmas says she’s sick of him only having to work one evening a year. So he gets himself a real job at the zoo.
What a funny and delightful little story to end this Christmas-themed collection. It definitely shows that some people are best suited for a particular line of work.
Overall, nothing must-read. But it’s a very solid collection of amusing Christmas-themed stories to get you in the mood for the holidays.
December 28, 2017
all the fun you'd expect from Pratchett.
December 26, 2019
Не помня дали някога съм вярвала в Дядо Коледа. Имам една снимка от детската градина, на която съм застанала с изключително сериозно личице (такова, каквото само децата могат да докарат) с две нарисувани розови петна на бузите до един пост-социалистически Дядо Коледа (не Дядо Мраз!) в евтин филцов костюм. Стискам лъскавичък подарък, поднесен ми от Дядо Коледа-та, но невеселата ми физиономия според мен показва, че още тогава не съм одобрявала фарса, в който съм участвала.
Известно количество години по-късно, към днешна дата, последните няколко Коледи аз и по-добрата ми половинка се каним да пишем писмо на въпросния добър старец нейде из Лапландия. Не за друго, а за да получим проформа отговор и да се порадваме като деца, каквито отдавна не сме, че някой е направил нещо за нас от другия край на света (който е кръгъл, затова си няма краища, но нейсе). Все още не сме написали това писмо. Може би сме изгубили голяма част от вълшебния прашец, с който децата така обилно са посипани, а може би с всяка изминала година цинизмът, дето възрастните се давят в него, ни задушава все повече. Тъкмо сигурно вече се чудите къде остана „Фалшивата брада на Дядо Коледа“. Появява се точно… ей сега.
Тери Пратчет пише възхитителни небивалици по-добре от всеки друг автор, който ми е известен (аз не познавам чак тъй много писатели, но все пак). Тук забърква димяща чаша с превисоки преспи сняг, уютно сгушени вкъщи люде, но и безстрашно бродещи навън такива, ръсва и любимата си подправка – ненаситния изследователски дух. За къде сме ние, хората, без да се опитаме да открием колко далеч ни се простират човешките възможности дори по Коледа? Дали пък не можем да прислоним някой снежен човек и да си спечелим принцеса?
Винаги съм се радвала на разкошната амалгама от делнично и героично у Пратчет – плетените чорапи и топлият чай се редуват с дръзновени походи из снега за спасяване на баби и случайни непознати, а изпичането на гигантски пайове за изхранването на цял град си е напълно в реда на нещата. Защото какво е Коледа, ако не хубаво хапване с добри хора?
„Хапни си пуйка – покани го кралят. – Мога ли настоятелно да ти препоръчам пудинга със сливи? Кларънс, а налей едно вино на моя приятел.
[…] Слънцето вече изгряваше, когато тримата се измъкнаха от снега и тръгнаха обратно през преспите към замъка. Водеше Абел. Той всъщност вече беше Сър Абел – кралят го бе ръкоположил в рицарски сан с едно пуешко бутче и му бе подарил един от по-малките си замъци, та на Абел никога повече да не му се налага да събира гориво за зимата.“
Аз не бих могла да заявя с такава сигурност като Франсис Чърч „Да, Вирджиния, има Дядо Коледа“ . Но съм напълно убедена в нещо друго. Да, имаше Тери Пратчет, и за миниатюрна частица от времето имахме честта да обитаваме тази дребна звездна прашинка Земята заедно с него. И той, също като Дядо Коледа, за мнозина от нас остана невидим, но ни донесе много мъдрост, състрадание и вяра в доброто. Защото „най-хубавото се вижда само със сърцето. Най-същественото е невидимо за очите“. Честита ви Прасоколеда!
Известно количество години по-късно, към днешна дата, последните няколко Коледи аз и по-добрата ми половинка се каним да пишем писмо на въпросния добър старец нейде из Лапландия. Не за друго, а за да получим проформа отговор и да се порадваме като деца, каквито отдавна не сме, че някой е направил нещо за нас от другия край на света (който е кръгъл, затова си няма краища, но нейсе). Все още не сме написали това писмо. Може би сме изгубили голяма част от вълшебния прашец, с който децата така обилно са посипани, а може би с всяка изминала година цинизмът, дето възрастните се давят в него, ни задушава все повече. Тъкмо сигурно вече се чудите къде остана „Фалшивата брада на Дядо Коледа“. Появява се точно… ей сега.
Тери Пратчет пише възхитителни небивалици по-добре от всеки друг автор, който ми е известен (аз не познавам чак тъй много писатели, но все пак). Тук забърква димяща чаша с превисоки преспи сняг, уютно сгушени вкъщи люде, но и безстрашно бродещи навън такива, ръсва и любимата си подправка – ненаситния изследователски дух. За къде сме ние, хората, без да се опитаме да открием колко далеч ни се простират човешките възможности дори по Коледа? Дали пък не можем да прислоним някой снежен човек и да си спечелим принцеса?
Винаги съм се радвала на разкошната амалгама от делнично и героично у Пратчет – плетените чорапи и топлият чай се редуват с дръзновени походи из снега за спасяване на баби и случайни непознати, а изпичането на гигантски пайове за изхранването на цял град си е напълно в реда на нещата. Защото какво е Коледа, ако не хубаво хапване с добри хора?
„Хапни си пуйка – покани го кралят. – Мога ли настоятелно да ти препоръчам пудинга със сливи? Кларънс, а налей едно вино на моя приятел.
[…] Слънцето вече изгряваше, когато тримата се измъкнаха от снега и тръгнаха обратно през преспите към замъка. Водеше Абел. Той всъщност вече беше Сър Абел – кралят го бе ръкоположил в рицарски сан с едно пуешко бутче и му бе подарил един от по-малките си замъци, та на Абел никога повече да не му се налага да събира гориво за зимата.“
Аз не бих могла да заявя с такава сигурност като Франсис Чърч „Да, Вирджиния, има Дядо Коледа“ . Но съм напълно убедена в нещо друго. Да, имаше Тери Пратчет, и за миниатюрна частица от времето имахме честта да обитаваме тази дребна звездна прашинка Земята заедно с него. И той, също като Дядо Коледа, за мнозина от нас остана невидим, но ни донесе много мъдрост, състрадание и вяра в доброто. Защото „най-хубавото се вижда само със сърцето. Най-същественото е невидимо за очите“. Честита ви Прасоколеда!
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January 17, 2018
A collection of short stories, all (loosely) on the theme of Christmas. I say loosely, because snow isn't exactly Christmas, but you get the drift (pun intended and you'd better laugh).
Standard PTerry of his youth. Some of these stories are available in other short story collections, in similar or different names. (See The Mega-byte Drive to Believe in Father Christmas.) The illustrations, however, absolutely make this book, though. They're utterly wonderful and really emphasise the imagination.
Obviously, PTerry wasn't the best short story writer-something he readily admitted himself-but for any Discworld or PTerry fan, this collection is just that little parcel of joy that is needed.
Standard PTerry of his youth. Some of these stories are available in other short story collections, in similar or different names. (See The Mega-byte Drive to Believe in Father Christmas.) The illustrations, however, absolutely make this book, though. They're utterly wonderful and really emphasise the imagination.
Obviously, PTerry wasn't the best short story writer-something he readily admitted himself-but for any Discworld or PTerry fan, this collection is just that little parcel of joy that is needed.
January 14, 2018
My second 'delayed' review from last year's Holiday season and another sure thing to recommend for a charming pastime around some eggnog and mistletoe [sometime around next December). With a small qualification: Terry Pratchett is as charming as always but this particular collection is targeted at very young children, with language, illustrations and subject chosen accordingly. The best way to read it I think is out loud to said children, at bedtime or in the morning, with appropriate sound effects and enough time to survey the pictures**
** pictures that are actually responsible in my case for the deduction of one star. As a personal preference I am not a big fan of jagged, sloppy, rushed artwork, even if it does capture the spirit of the illustrated story. but, after all, I'm just a grouchy old Grinch out of synch with the modern world, and real children probably would enjoy the sketches, based on what I see recently on Cartoon Network.
December 5, 2025
Short winter holiday stories with illustrations, published posthumously. Granny and the abominable snow-baby, Santa visits the zoo, Brussel sprouts harvested in the snow, and an exploding blackberry pie. The illustrations are delightful!
December 27, 2017
A funny collection of short festive Christmas stories with wonderful illustrations that really made this book.
I much prefer Pratchett's humour when it's for adults it seems to work much better and if I had been reading this to my Son when he was younger I'm not sure it would of raised many laughs but the Pratchett wackiness that I love is still there.
An entertaining quick read.
I much prefer Pratchett's humour when it's for adults it seems to work much better and if I had been reading this to my Son when he was younger I'm not sure it would of raised many laughs but the Pratchett wackiness that I love is still there.
An entertaining quick read.
December 23, 2023
Das einzige Weihnachtsbuch, das ich mir für dieses Jahr vorgenommen habe - und auch noch von einem meiner Lieblingsautoren. Im Vorwort wird erwähnt, das Pratchett schon in seiner Jugend Geschichten geschrieben hat und diese Sammlung an Weihnachtsgeschichten richtet sich auch eher an Kinder. Zusammen mit den witzigen Illustrationen von Mark Beech haben sie definitiv einen humorvollen und lustigen Grundton, der in total unterschiedlichen Geschichten zum Tragen kommt.
Der falsche Bart des Weihnachtsmanns
In einem Briefwechsel der Abteilungen für einen großen Supermarkt entpuppt sich der stellverstretende Weihnachtsmann als ohne falschen Bart :)
Die Blackburry-Pastete
Um an Weihnachten alle Menschen einer Stadt satt zu machen, hat der Bürgermeister eine aberwitzige Idee
Drankriegen
Das Ergebnis eines kuriosen Spiels wird zur Liebeserklärung zwischen zwei verfeindeten Städten
Eine sehr kurze Eiszeit
Wie Rasmussen beim Wintereinbruch zum Arktisbewohner wird, um sich auf die neue Eiszeit einzustellen
Der Computer, der dem Weihnachtsmann schrieb
Über die Kraft des Glaubens und den (Un)Sinn von Geschenken - eine schöne Botschaft über die Entwicklung des Konsums
Ein König im Schnee
Wie ein König sich besinnt und wie sich Hilfe positiv auswirkt
Das Wetterküken
Zurück in der Stadt Blackburry entwickelt sich ein ganz besonderes Wetterphänomen - nicht wirklich weihnachtlich und für mich die schwächste Geschichte
Der Weihnachtsmann vor Gericht
Eine witzige Gerichtsverhandlung mit keinen Spitzen gegen die Gesellschaft und eine bestechende Verteidigung für den Wert der Fantasie
Nun, in den Neunzigerjahren glauben wir an vieles, das nicht unbedingt real ist. Der ... äh ... Weihnachtsmann ist so real wie zahlreiche andere Phänomene, von denen ich täglich in der Zeitung lese, und deshalb unterliegt er wie alle anderen der Rechtssprechung.
Zitat Seite 112
Das Yeti-Baby
Die Stadt Blackburry versinkt wortwörtlich im Schnee und die agile Oma von Albert findet ein ungewöhnliches Findelkind
Die zwölf Weihnachtsgeschenke
Es war einmal ... in Anlehnung an die vielen Märchen über Prinzen und Prinzessinnen hat Pratchett hier sein ganz eigenes daraus gemacht :D
Der Weihnachtsmann arbeitet im Zoo
Um den Rest des Jahres nicht zu viel zu faulenzen, sucht sich der Weihnachtsmann einen anderen Job - und das gestaltet sich schwieriger als gedacht
Man sieht, es ist sehr abwechslungsreich und mit vielen originellen Ideen, wie man es von Pratchett kennt! Ich mochte eigentlich alle Geschichten recht gerne, auch wenn mir jetzt keine so ganz besonders hervorgestochen hat. Es war auf jeden Fall eine unterhaltsame und kurzweilige Lektüre für die Adventszeit :)
Weltenwanderer
Der falsche Bart des Weihnachtsmanns
In einem Briefwechsel der Abteilungen für einen großen Supermarkt entpuppt sich der stellverstretende Weihnachtsmann als ohne falschen Bart :)
Die Blackburry-Pastete
Um an Weihnachten alle Menschen einer Stadt satt zu machen, hat der Bürgermeister eine aberwitzige Idee
Drankriegen
Das Ergebnis eines kuriosen Spiels wird zur Liebeserklärung zwischen zwei verfeindeten Städten
Eine sehr kurze Eiszeit
Wie Rasmussen beim Wintereinbruch zum Arktisbewohner wird, um sich auf die neue Eiszeit einzustellen
Der Computer, der dem Weihnachtsmann schrieb
Über die Kraft des Glaubens und den (Un)Sinn von Geschenken - eine schöne Botschaft über die Entwicklung des Konsums
Ein König im Schnee
Wie ein König sich besinnt und wie sich Hilfe positiv auswirkt
Das Wetterküken
Zurück in der Stadt Blackburry entwickelt sich ein ganz besonderes Wetterphänomen - nicht wirklich weihnachtlich und für mich die schwächste Geschichte
Der Weihnachtsmann vor Gericht
Eine witzige Gerichtsverhandlung mit keinen Spitzen gegen die Gesellschaft und eine bestechende Verteidigung für den Wert der Fantasie
Nun, in den Neunzigerjahren glauben wir an vieles, das nicht unbedingt real ist. Der ... äh ... Weihnachtsmann ist so real wie zahlreiche andere Phänomene, von denen ich täglich in der Zeitung lese, und deshalb unterliegt er wie alle anderen der Rechtssprechung.
Zitat Seite 112
Das Yeti-Baby
Die Stadt Blackburry versinkt wortwörtlich im Schnee und die agile Oma von Albert findet ein ungewöhnliches Findelkind
Die zwölf Weihnachtsgeschenke
Es war einmal ... in Anlehnung an die vielen Märchen über Prinzen und Prinzessinnen hat Pratchett hier sein ganz eigenes daraus gemacht :D
Der Weihnachtsmann arbeitet im Zoo
Um den Rest des Jahres nicht zu viel zu faulenzen, sucht sich der Weihnachtsmann einen anderen Job - und das gestaltet sich schwieriger als gedacht
Man sieht, es ist sehr abwechslungsreich und mit vielen originellen Ideen, wie man es von Pratchett kennt! Ich mochte eigentlich alle Geschichten recht gerne, auch wenn mir jetzt keine so ganz besonders hervorgestochen hat. Es war auf jeden Fall eine unterhaltsame und kurzweilige Lektüre für die Adventszeit :)
Weltenwanderer
December 24, 2020
Lekka, zabawna antologia złożona z jedenastu opowiadań o tematyce bożonarodzeniowej lub po prostu zimowej. Teksty okraszone zostały cudnymi ilustracjami (kreska "z jajem"), a samo wydanie to kwintesencja Świąt. Porządne, w twardej oprawie i pozłacane, ale też pozytywnie kiczowate i bijące po oczach intensywną zielenią oraz czerwienią.
Doskonały pomysł na prezent choinkowy - zarówno dla małych, jak i troszkę większych odbiorców. Można łyknąć "na raz", chociażby w ramach relaksu po intensywnej kolacji wigilijnej, ale warto sięgnąć do książki jeszcze wcześniej, jeśli jest taka możliwość. Poszczególne opowiadania doskonale sprawdzą się bowiem jako przerywniki pomiędzy kolejnymi przedświątecznymi obowiązkami i z łatwością wprowadzą czytelnika w odpowiedni nastrój.
Doskonały pomysł na prezent choinkowy - zarówno dla małych, jak i troszkę większych odbiorców. Można łyknąć "na raz", chociażby w ramach relaksu po intensywnej kolacji wigilijnej, ale warto sięgnąć do książki jeszcze wcześniej, jeśli jest taka możliwość. Poszczególne opowiadania doskonale sprawdzą się bowiem jako przerywniki pomiędzy kolejnymi przedświątecznymi obowiązkami i z łatwością wprowadzą czytelnika w odpowiedni nastrój.
December 1, 2017
I don't usually like reading short stories but those ones definitely helped set the Christmas mood 🎄
December 14, 2017
***Actual rating: 3,75***
December 21, 2018
Some really funny stories in this collection as well as some vaguely Disc figures. Love the commentary about people and snowstorms.
December 30, 2021
Коледно забавление и чувал пълен с небивалици по пратчетски! Може и да съм поостаряла за захаросаните коледни романтики, но никога няма да порасна за това! 😁
October 26, 2022
This book is a collection of ten short but sweet stories all to do with Christmas (some touching on Christmas). A book filled with lots of Christmas fun. Lots of humour, funny, quirky characters and good illustrations. I loved the one about the exploding mince pie. Although this book is aimed at children, it is great for adults too. Lots of laughs. A must for any Terry Pratchett fan.
December 10, 2022
Krótkie i zabawne historie z Mikołajem w tle. Idealna lektura na świąteczny czas. Jeśli szukacie magii, to łapcie za tę książkę - nie ważne ile macie lat 😊
November 17, 2018
Read it. Liked it to some extent. I still prefer the Discworld books.
February 3, 2018
O.K. so it's a bit late but...
More fun and giggles from the late, great Terry Pratchett and with colour illustrations too!
More fun and giggles from the late, great Terry Pratchett and with colour illustrations too!
September 5, 2019
Read: September 2019
Father Christmas’s Fake Beard - 3.5/5 stars
The Blackbury Pie - 3/5 stars
Prod-Ye-A’Diddle Oh! - 3.5/5 stars
A Very Short Ice Age - 4/5 stars
The Computer Who Wrote To Father Christmas- 4/5 stars
Good King Wences-lost - 4/5 stars
The Weatherchick- 4/5 stars
Judgment Day for Father Christmas- 4/5 stars
The Abominable Snow-baby - 4/5 stars
The Twelve Gifts of Christmas- 3.5/5 stars
Father Christmas Goes to Work at the Zoo - 4/5 stars
Father Christmas’s Fake Beard - 3.5/5 stars
The Blackbury Pie - 3/5 stars
Prod-Ye-A’Diddle Oh! - 3.5/5 stars
A Very Short Ice Age - 4/5 stars
The Computer Who Wrote To Father Christmas- 4/5 stars
Good King Wences-lost - 4/5 stars
The Weatherchick- 4/5 stars
Judgment Day for Father Christmas- 4/5 stars
The Abominable Snow-baby - 4/5 stars
The Twelve Gifts of Christmas- 3.5/5 stars
Father Christmas Goes to Work at the Zoo - 4/5 stars
December 31, 2019
This short, sweet and amusing collection of children stories from the master that is Terry Pratchett all have a Christmas or winter theme. There are some great little stories too, some are quite funny, some a little subversive and all have that bottomless depth from his imagination.
Not quite as good as his adult books, which have a darker and subtler humour, but huge fun none the less. These do show the vast scope of his imagination though and there are certain details in here that were developed much more in the Discworld series.
Great fun, easy to read and gives children that little opening into the magical worlds that he has created. Have passed it onto my son to read now.
Not quite as good as his adult books, which have a darker and subtler humour, but huge fun none the less. These do show the vast scope of his imagination though and there are certain details in here that were developed much more in the Discworld series.
Great fun, easy to read and gives children that little opening into the magical worlds that he has created. Have passed it onto my son to read now.
December 12, 2022
A delightful book of short stories. All silly, all based around winter and Christmas. Very Terry Pratchett/Roald Dahl. This would make a lovely stocking filler for a child still in love with Christmas.
November 27, 2017
Great fun. Some wonderful kids stories here, swimming in Pratchetts wicked sense of humour and wit.
January 29, 2018
Being a big fan of Terry Pratchett I was looking forward to this collection of Christmas short stories. I read them to my son, and although a couple were funny, overall I didn't think they were Terry's best. I wondered if really his draws had just been emptied as his publishers scrabbled around for new stories. They were not quite up to his usual standard. A few of them could definitely done with a bit of work to make them more coherent, and the endings of most were lacking the usual Terry Pratchett punch. It was a shame.
Now I shall go and re-read one of his classics (The Hogfather) to refresh my memory of the brilliance that Terry Pratchett was.
Now I shall go and re-read one of his classics (The Hogfather) to refresh my memory of the brilliance that Terry Pratchett was.
December 25, 2019
Got the book for the illustrations (and the packaging) as a new dad using the excuse 'for the daughter'. I did resolve to read it for Christmas - and Lo!
Though the book's illustrations couldn't hold my daughter's attention for more than 10 minutes (she is all of 1.5 years old), the book sure did have me engaged. A set of warm, funny short stories around the theme of Christmas (and the season in general) - Tery Pratchett's imagination is awesome!
So we have Father Christmas working in retail section or defending himself for home invasion or working at a zoo. We also read stories set in the town of Burberry on giant pies, abominable snowbaby and active weather cocks.
The stories are light and funny. The spirit of christmas is intact and it's a great book for kids to develop a sense of humor.
Merry Christmas!
Though the book's illustrations couldn't hold my daughter's attention for more than 10 minutes (she is all of 1.5 years old), the book sure did have me engaged. A set of warm, funny short stories around the theme of Christmas (and the season in general) - Tery Pratchett's imagination is awesome!
So we have Father Christmas working in retail section or defending himself for home invasion or working at a zoo. We also read stories set in the town of Burberry on giant pies, abominable snowbaby and active weather cocks.
The stories are light and funny. The spirit of christmas is intact and it's a great book for kids to develop a sense of humor.
Merry Christmas!
December 15, 2020
Read this to the kids, 5 and 8. It's a handful of different stories that are a lot of fun, very silly. A couple of them were over the kids' heads, like one has a punchline that involves pensions. It's published in the UK so I had to explain vocabulary differences, which was good! Now they know not to say trousers and not pants if we go to the UK or Ireland, and what the metric system is.
January 4, 2020
Террі Пратчетт з фірмовими ілюстраціями Роальда Даля то любов. Маленька книжечка, але чудові оповідання, про Різдво і Діда Мороза таким, якими ви їх ще не уявляли. Найс.
December 9, 2017
Another one of Sir Terry Pratchett's delightful books! Can't decide which of these short stories is my favorite. <3
December 3, 2018
The always delightful Pratchett spins snowy, wintry, and Christmasy yarns for the younger set, taking on Father Christmas’s off-season jobs, The Abominible Snowman, Good King Wenceslas, and determined grannies. Charming illustrations by Mark Beech have a very Quentin Blake feel to them. Lovely!
December 24, 2021
Surely all Terry Pratchett's are 5 stars
August 30, 2020
It was as quiet and white as the inside of a ping-pong ball.*
*Though Albert Scruggins had never actually been inside a ping-pong ball, so he did not know if in fact it may have been full of very tiny creatures having a noisy party.
A MUST-HAVE delight for Sir Terry's fans!!!
Father Christmas’s Fake Beard is a collection of short, festive Christmas-ish (I use the extension ish with careful caution here to imply the naughty little twists Sir Terry is known for) stories aimed to delight young and old alike.
Each one of the 11 stories brings warmth with easy humor on the side that leaves you, above all, full of hope and a kinder, more positive view of the world. One can almost hear his chuckle every turn of the page.
I read it rather off-season, aye, but the magic of Sir Terry brought snow and jingle bells to my reading nook in August. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing Father Christmas and merry folk of Blackbury again in few months.
*Though Albert Scruggins had never actually been inside a ping-pong ball, so he did not know if in fact it may have been full of very tiny creatures having a noisy party.
A MUST-HAVE delight for Sir Terry's fans!!!
Father Christmas’s Fake Beard is a collection of short, festive Christmas-ish (I use the extension ish with careful caution here to imply the naughty little twists Sir Terry is known for) stories aimed to delight young and old alike.
Each one of the 11 stories brings warmth with easy humor on the side that leaves you, above all, full of hope and a kinder, more positive view of the world. One can almost hear his chuckle every turn of the page.
I read it rather off-season, aye, but the magic of Sir Terry brought snow and jingle bells to my reading nook in August. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing Father Christmas and merry folk of Blackbury again in few months.
January 1, 2026
3.5 stars
A fun romp and an easy read. I'm not sure it's as laugh-out-loud funny as some of his other works, but it has some good childlike humor without being terribly dumb.
I quite enjoyed a few of them (the absurd fun of The Blackbury Pie; the computer with feelings in The Computer Who Wrote to Father Christmas [personal fave ending, I think]; the riffs on carols in Good King Wences-lost and The Twelve Gifts of Christmas), but others I'm not sure I quite got "the point". I ended up finishing those and questioning whether they were worth the read. Still, in all, it's hard to be too terribly upset about goofy stories with fun illustrations that are a quick read.
A fun romp and an easy read. I'm not sure it's as laugh-out-loud funny as some of his other works, but it has some good childlike humor without being terribly dumb.
I quite enjoyed a few of them (the absurd fun of The Blackbury Pie; the computer with feelings in The Computer Who Wrote to Father Christmas [personal fave ending, I think]; the riffs on carols in Good King Wences-lost and The Twelve Gifts of Christmas), but others I'm not sure I quite got "the point". I ended up finishing those and questioning whether they were worth the read. Still, in all, it's hard to be too terribly upset about goofy stories with fun illustrations that are a quick read.
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