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The Winterman
Late one snowy Christmas Eve, ten-year-old Penny is wide awake, worrying if Santa will come. The house is silent and still, but something miraculous is about to happen. A sleigh crash lands in a cove by the cottage and Penny meets a mysterious being known as the Winterman.
This is the true Father of Christmas, an ancient and magical Gift-Giver, and he has a special present to give to a young boy in the nearby village and needs Penny’s help to deliver it. So begins the most wondrous night of Penny's life.
This is a story for the believers in magic and miracles. A story for the child in us all.
A festive fantasy for readers aged 8 and up.
In the spirit of the ancient and magical Gift-Giver, half of all profits of this paperback with go to MAKE-A-WISH UK, a wonderful charity who grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
This is the true Father of Christmas, an ancient and magical Gift-Giver, and he has a special present to give to a young boy in the nearby village and needs Penny’s help to deliver it. So begins the most wondrous night of Penny's life.
This is a story for the believers in magic and miracles. A story for the child in us all.
A festive fantasy for readers aged 8 and up.
In the spirit of the ancient and magical Gift-Giver, half of all profits of this paperback with go to MAKE-A-WISH UK, a wonderful charity who grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
106 pages, Paperback
Published December 22, 2020
4 people want to read
About the author
Andrew David Barker
9 books37 followersAndrew David Barker is an author and filmmaker. Born in Derby, England in 1975, Barker has had pretty much every job going. In his time he has worked as a window fitter, a rail track worker, a factory worker, a carpet salesman, a car cleaner, a delivery driver, a bricklayers' labourer, a shop assistant, and a care worker, among others. None of them stuck.
In the late 90s he played lead guitar in a rock band. They got signed, made a single, played London, thought they were famous, and, subsequently, imploded.
As a filmmaker, he wrote and directed the little-seen opus, A Reckoning – a last man on earth tale which won acclaim from many who saw it - and has made several award-winning short films, inculding Shining Tor and Laura Living Backwards, which he co-wrote.
He is the author of The Electric, Dead Leaves, The Winterman, and Society Place, and is an Arts Council Grant recipient for his writing.
He is also the co-screenwriter of the upcoming feature, The Wilding, and the writer/director of the micro-horror, The House on Lidderman Street.
He now lives in Warwickshire with his wife and daughters, trying to be a grown up.
In the late 90s he played lead guitar in a rock band. They got signed, made a single, played London, thought they were famous, and, subsequently, imploded.
As a filmmaker, he wrote and directed the little-seen opus, A Reckoning – a last man on earth tale which won acclaim from many who saw it - and has made several award-winning short films, inculding Shining Tor and Laura Living Backwards, which he co-wrote.
He is the author of The Electric, Dead Leaves, The Winterman, and Society Place, and is an Arts Council Grant recipient for his writing.
He is also the co-screenwriter of the upcoming feature, The Wilding, and the writer/director of the micro-horror, The House on Lidderman Street.
He now lives in Warwickshire with his wife and daughters, trying to be a grown up.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 22, 2021
Until listening to The Winterman (yes, the audiobook version), I didn’t consciously think how tired I am of Santa being the mascot of consumerism, bringing us what we deserve. The Winterman sidesteps those trappings while keeping the sleigh and reindeer. This Nicholas only visits the children who most need hope and wonder. He’s from old and ancient magic. He wears green, and his cloak is like a living thing. And the listener, like ten year old Penny, gets to accompany him for one special Christmas as they go to deliver a present. Their journey together includes dancing to a record by the Beatles, walking through a forest, stopping at a pub where Nicholas sings with a band, and a snowball fight. If this combination sounds atypical of Christmas, it’s all part of Nicholas’ definition of mystery and wonder and, for me, it rings true.
The story is set off the North Yorkshire coast, and I loved listening to @sarahjaneroseuk Sarah Jane Rose’s accent. Be prepared she won’t speak at Hollywood-story speed; it’s a pace that encourages imagining wonderful details–such as individual snowmen Penny has made in the garden, and the array of animals in the forest that walk beside Nicholas and Penny. And the pace helps the meaning in the story resonate, especially with the gift Penny helps Nicholas give to Arthur. Sarah Jane’s warm voice is so easy to follow and the story is always clear, whether she speaks as the narrator or Penny or Arthur. @ssphanie_clarisse and I particularly admire that Penny’s voice feels young without being pushed or cartoonish. Ian Pringle’s resonant Nicholas sounds like he’d wrap you a great big bear hug. And the tenderness and hopefulness with which Nichols says to Penny –”your heart is filled with promise: live it well”--that stays with me.
It is about two hours long and you can find the audiobook at @thelisteningshelf.
The story is set off the North Yorkshire coast, and I loved listening to @sarahjaneroseuk Sarah Jane Rose’s accent. Be prepared she won’t speak at Hollywood-story speed; it’s a pace that encourages imagining wonderful details–such as individual snowmen Penny has made in the garden, and the array of animals in the forest that walk beside Nicholas and Penny. And the pace helps the meaning in the story resonate, especially with the gift Penny helps Nicholas give to Arthur. Sarah Jane’s warm voice is so easy to follow and the story is always clear, whether she speaks as the narrator or Penny or Arthur. @ssphanie_clarisse and I particularly admire that Penny’s voice feels young without being pushed or cartoonish. Ian Pringle’s resonant Nicholas sounds like he’d wrap you a great big bear hug. And the tenderness and hopefulness with which Nichols says to Penny –”your heart is filled with promise: live it well”--that stays with me.
It is about two hours long and you can find the audiobook at @thelisteningshelf.
December 19, 2020
If you’re a fan of books that have their own magick within the pages, if you’re looking for the true meaning of this season, if you just want to believe again, then quite simply you NEED to buy this book!
I’ve followed the author’s work for some time now, and whilst I really enjoyed Dead Leaves, The Electric left me spellbound. The Winterman, I’m pleased to say, is no different! It reminded me of John Masefield’s The Box Of Delights in many ways. with a normal child coming into contact with a timeless stranger with a purpose. I took my time with it, even though it’s easy enough to read in one sitting, I just didn’t want it to be over too quickly!
The tale itself is mesmerising, with characters that feel like they’re people you might know and a story that makes you want to know what will happen next, with a wonderful ending that we all need right now. What adds to this, however, are the beautiful illustrations from Tabitha Marsh. They bring an added depth and feel to the spirit of this book and once you’ve seen them, you can’t imagine the it without them.
One last thing, if you do intend to buy this book (and you absolutely should), then I would urge you to ditch the digital for once and buy the paperback. The author is generously giving half of all the profits from its sales to the Make A Wish charity, so you’ll also be helping bring a little magic to the lives of children with critical illnesses. If that’s not the true spirit of Christmas, I don’t know what is.
I’ve followed the author’s work for some time now, and whilst I really enjoyed Dead Leaves, The Electric left me spellbound. The Winterman, I’m pleased to say, is no different! It reminded me of John Masefield’s The Box Of Delights in many ways. with a normal child coming into contact with a timeless stranger with a purpose. I took my time with it, even though it’s easy enough to read in one sitting, I just didn’t want it to be over too quickly!
The tale itself is mesmerising, with characters that feel like they’re people you might know and a story that makes you want to know what will happen next, with a wonderful ending that we all need right now. What adds to this, however, are the beautiful illustrations from Tabitha Marsh. They bring an added depth and feel to the spirit of this book and once you’ve seen them, you can’t imagine the it without them.
One last thing, if you do intend to buy this book (and you absolutely should), then I would urge you to ditch the digital for once and buy the paperback. The author is generously giving half of all the profits from its sales to the Make A Wish charity, so you’ll also be helping bring a little magic to the lives of children with critical illnesses. If that’s not the true spirit of Christmas, I don’t know what is.
December 14, 2020
A beautiful Christmas tale full of atmosphere, folklore and emotion. Like in his other works, Andrew David Barker has created an authentic protagonist and reality- with evocative descriptions of childhood, snowscapes and Christmastime- while introducing a magical realm and blending the two seamlessly and believably. Overall, a lovely yarn to cosy in and enjoy on a cold December night, for children and adults alike. Highly recommend.
November 30, 2025
This felt like a lecture on the history of Father Christmas. Not uninteresting but maybe not exciting enough for most children. It’s a very slow paced book that makes you think and gives you opportunities to discuss with children what Christmas is about. Definitely not a book for when you want to look forward to Christmas. Warning, themes include grief.
December 15, 2021
What a warm story. Curl up by the fireplace and listen to the narrated version. The author brings to life a heart filled, feel good energy. A little girl and her new acquaintance, Nicholas will bring joy to someone. She learns that there is always hope and some magic in the world.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews