The Legend of the Christmas Witch

Christmas Witch #1

by Dan Murphy, Aubrey Plaza, Julia Iredale (Illustrator)

From Parks and Recreation star Aubrey Plaza and creative partner Dan Murphy comes the long lost tale of the Christmas Witch, Santa Claus's much misunderstood twin sister.

Gather 'round the fire to hear a Christmas legend that has never been told before...until now. Each year a mysterious figure sweeps into town, leaving behind strange gifts in the night. No, not Santa Claus, but his sister...

The Christmas Witch.

Her story begins many, many years ago when her brother was torn away from her as a child. Raised alone by a witch of the woods, Kristtōrn's powers of magic grew, as did her temper. Determined to find her long lost twin, she set out on a perilous journey across oceans to find him. But what she found instead was a deep-seated fear of her powers and a confrontation that would leave the fate of Christmas hanging in the balance.

From award-winning producer and actress Aubrey Plaza and her creative partner Dan Murphy comes a holiday story unlike any told before. With all the richness of classic folklore, they've woven a tale of bravery, love and magic. Whatever you thought you knew about Christmas...think again.

Genres: Christmas, Fantasy, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Audiobook

56 pages, Hardcover

First published November 16, 2021

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to need an animated movie of the Christmas Witch, and then a sequel, The Rise of the Christmas Witch.

And I hope she goes for Santa himself first. He's been naughty and not so nice.

[Miya (severe pain struggles, slower at the moment) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! The illustrations are gorgeous! The earthy nature loving witchy vibe is amazing. There is so much to this story if you pay attention. I would say this might not be for those who like super super traditional Christmas stories. I just loved it though. Definitely keeping my fingers crossed that Aubrey Plaza does a film for this one.

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was under an hour in audio, the long forgotten tale of Kris Kringle's sister, known as the Christmas Witch. Written by and read by Aubrey Plaza.

[Sage Sager-Romano · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I saw this book at my local B&N, immediately I was drawn in by the beautiful illustrations that were done. Just gorgeous! This is an aesthetically pleasing book that any person would be drawn in by. However, I will be returning it because of the messaging it gives children.

The authors did seem to do some research on Paganism and witchcraft and the character for the Christmas Witch is very reminiscing of La Befana, the folkloric Italian witch of Christmas who loved children and gave back during the holidays on her journey to give her gift to baby Jesus. However, what I thought looked like a possible merging of holiday traditions between the Pagan Yule and Christianity’s Christmas (both are very historically linked) as I browsed through the pages, I was baffled at the end. The book starts out demonstrating beautiful traditions they both learn from being raised in two different upbringings, yet at the end, Krisstorn (the Christmas Witch) is portrayed as a villain and ends up being forever locked into a block of ice when she clearly wanted to be able to be with her brother and help with her natural talents as well. She was rejected by others, then by him, where the very words by her brother say “you are too different for them to accept. There is no place for you out there. Stay here where you are safe. Someday, I am certain things will change” and leaves her. Both my sister and I read it before considering giving it to my daughter and both concluded a hard “no” because of what it’s teaching. We were just left with an overarching feeling of “what was the point to the story?” and “what is this teaching my child?”.

You’ll like this book of course if you like the imagery, if you’re into the old school fairy tale tellings, and if you’re into the hero versus villain thing. If you are actually Pagan and/or actually a witch and have children, I’d HIGHLY suggest finding some other books as this one still perpetuates the nonsensical divisive narrative of spirituality and that we should reject what is different from us. The narrative itself is just getting old.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent little Xmas story. It certainly tries to sprinkle some female energy into the Xmas spirit, by way of giving the jolly man a twin sister who is ostracized.

But honestly? It’s a story to shame us all, not to share joy. Maybe the sequel brings it full circle? I hope so.


I should mention I mainly read this because it was co-authored by Aubrey Plaza. She’s a special kind of witch irl. lol



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

Arctunn.com

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly unusual! I loved it, and I wanted it to be a novel. (With illustrations!) (Maybe a graphic novel?) There were too many words on each page for it to work as a read aloud, and the story honestly begged for more, more descriptions, more magic, more to the story! But it was still very, very cool and a great addition to the Christmas book collection at Chez Georges.

[taylor ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

not what i was expecting but i really enjoyed! the audiobook for this 🙌🏼🙌🏼 top tier. so wintery i wish i had read it last month😭

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a Friday the 13th (which I always consider great fun) in December (you know, Christmas month) is so ... weird! But! I actually found a book that befitted the occasion. :D

Little Kristtōrn and her twin brother grow up in the woods until they are separated one day. They grow up under quite different circumstances. Let's just say the boy had it easy while the girl gets shunned time and time again. What this leads to and what it has to do with Christmas / Yuletide ... read and find out! ;)

I found this book only because Aubrey Plaza co-authored it. I really like her as an actress and I like stories about witches and Christmas and this combined all of it in one weird little book (two, as I found out only now but who's counting).

For this, she collaborated with Dan Murphy (author) and Julia Iredale, who is a fantastic illustrator if this book's illustrations are anything to go by:





Really cool spin on the age-old origin story of Christmas as we know it now and the transformation from the old faith(s) to the new one. Moreover, very nice second layer that was done in a masterfully subtle way.

I'll definitely hunt down the sequel!

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Overdrive app *

I loved the idea of it but it felt like some stuff was not explored enough and the ending felt abrupt and rushed.. left a bad taste in my mouth.

Maybe a kid would feel differently 🤔 🤷 For me, it was just okay.

Was glad to find a non-romance centered Christmas 🎄 story though (no offense meant, they aren't my cup of tea).


Narration: the author.. she did an okay 👍 job.

[Aj · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a stort of a magical girl with a temper who becomes vilified and the story ends with her frozen in snow after a temper tantrum. I'm sorely dissatisfied and disappointed in a tale that I hoped would incorporate a joyful alternative to Santa but sticks with the trope that witches are tempermental and evil. A terrible way to end a holiday tale. I assume there will be an additional book but the lovely illustrations do not make up for a crappy tale.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook for this was fantastic. It was an interesting little story but the way they did the sound effects and narration really set it apart. I want this as a dark adult novel now!

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first introduction to this particular legend, that of Santa Claus / St. Nick having a sibling who is witchy. . . .will be following up on this read next year with the Return of the . . .and the new Red One movie seems to have sprung from a similar line of legendry. A new line of inquiry has begun.

'Til next year, my friends. Happy reading to you all in 2025.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Like a wondrous phantom who smelled of the sea, she whistled in the darkness a strange melody.."

This beautifully told, dark folkloric tale is bewitchingly melodic and while not your typical Christmas tale it is the perfect read for those who love the magically strange! I so hope for a part two to this one!

[Eileen H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, but a terrible disjointed plot with gaping plot holes and a puzzling non-resolution that left me confused about what I just read. It completely falls flat and doesn’t seem to understand any of the histories or traditions that it’s borrowing from. I’m left wondering what the point of this story was, because I don’t see one.

[Suhasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aubrey Plaza! 😍😍

[Colleen Earle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book as a gift and I positively love it
The illustrations and whimsical and dark
The story is beautiful (and a bit sad)
A delightful book for young and old

[Daniëlle · Rating 5 out of 5]

anything for aubrey

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love LOVED this story! I always enjoy a dive into the "lost" lore and mythology behind a beloved holiday, and this book didn't disappoint. It added a beautiful layer, as well as exciting new characters, to the Christmas story, one that I'd be happy to revisit each year. It's beautifully written, and the illustrations are gorgeous. I'm excited to read its sequel!

[Milton Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the more, non-traditional Christmas story of the long lost twin sister of Kris Kringle, Kristtorn. The twins are abandoned deep in the forest and cared for by the animals there. As they grow they learn how to communicate with the animals and Mother Earth. As they grow up, Kris is adopted by a family unable to have children and Kristtorn finds a home with the local witch. Each learns different skills that form who they ultimately become!

I saw that this book was written by Aubrey Plaza and knew that I had to read it! This book looks like a picture book but it is more just a large book for middle grade students. I found the story to be incredibly creative with an Earthy vibe. It definitely feels like a folk tale, full of magic and transformatins. The illustrations are great and really add to the narrative. This would make a great animated movie!

Find it today: https://ent.sharelibraries.info/clien...

Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very much my aesthetic. I read an e-ARC but will definitely need to get this one in print. 🥰 I was going to give this 4 stars but the art is so good and so cozy that I had to go with 5 in the end.

[Briar 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torn on this book. It’s absolutely beautiful and was a good story until the end. Calling the Christmas Witch “evil” was uncalled for. I was really put off by her ending. Her brother’s response to her also greatly bothered me. I still liked the story but it also made me angry. It is however a good tool for teaching my kids about the world and how people may view and treat them, privilege, sexism, etc. We had a good talk after.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely obsessed. My son and I listened together on audio but I’m going to buy the physical book as well. It’s now going to be part of our annual holiday books. I love how rich and magical this story is. Read “child friendly version of how witches were treated and pagan Yule was stolen” if this ever does become a movie I volunteer as tribute to play the witch, I will literally do it for free.

[Florence Migga · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was 4 stars until I didn't like the ending. The audiobook was a delight to listen to, but I think I missed out by not being able to see the artwork. Overall, a nice fun fantasy read for the holiday season.

[Holden Wunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute holiday read especially if you not only love Santa Claus but good ol witches! Super easy read for the holiday season and the art was stunning. Will keep in my rotation for years to come

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve lost the plot

[court ౨ৎ librarycutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a cute story, i wanted to read it to see if my son would enjoy it but i think it’s a bit too long for him. maybe next christmas.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this! Santy Claus has a sister from whom he was separated due to his greediness. Her name is Kristt Örn, and she's raised by an old witch called Lutzelfrau. Krisst Örn has a strong affinity for nature, and gets along well with a variety of creatures.
She's got a temper, too, and this gets her into trouble, and later leads her to decide to ruin Christmas when her brother rejects her and her help.

It's a cute story, and I love the magical, kinder, prone to angry, animal-loving witch at the centre of this tale.

[Rebecca Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations were gorgeous and I always appreciate it when people take the time to tell new and creative Christmas stories. That said, I felt this story had a mixed and slightly depressing message. And while that is not necessarily a bad thing in itself, my personal preference would have been for the story to have a more hopeful conclusion. I enjoyed the story, but this is probably not one I would add to my Christmas collection.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m with the Christmas Witch. Down with Santa!

Beautiful illustrations.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

   While the tale of Santa Claus - Kristoffer - is well-known throughout the world, the tale of his twin sister Kristtörn is less so. They are both friends of animals and nature and spent their early lives living together in the woods with just friendly animals as company. Until one day, braver Kristoffer approaches a couple in the woods and goes home with them, leaving his sister behind. An old friendly witch finds her and takes her in, and teachers her how to use her magic with the promise that her destiny is to one day find her twin brother again.
   The illustrations by Julia Iredale are absolutely gorgeous, so full of life and color and detail, and really bring out the spirit of nature. The story itself is well written, though take note - it definitely follows in the Grimm tradition, which caught me by surprise especially given how beautifully everything is done, with such deep colors. I would even say it could fit well with lessons about one's own feelings about difficult situations/about being attacked or shunned because of mistaken beliefs/misunderstandings and how we deal with those feelings, and even serve as an opening to talk about climate change. I think it might be a bit scary/unsettling for the younger side of the recommended reading age of 5-8, but with adult/older child guidance, it could still work. It's a fairy tale, and while I didn't read it out loud, I'm sure it would make for good reading together around the Christmas tree. Or rather, the Yuletide tree. And even for kids too young to follow the story, they might still enjoy the imagery (especially all the penguins!).

Typo:
"You must always be careful, when you use magic, to never been seen. - page 18 - "been" should be "be"