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Mr. Nicholas: A Magical Christmas Tale
A story that helps us see the unique goodness in each person. Every town has its secrets. When it becomes known that Mr. Nicholas, the eccentric owner of the local hardware store, is somehow involved with reindeer, toys, and children, the town becomes more and more suspicious that this man is more than just a clerk on Main Street. JB, a clever, open ten-year-old boy with Down syndrome, is able to figure out the secret from the first time Mr. Nicholas gives him a chocolate deer wrapped in gold foil. JB’s father and mother, both cynical and on the brink of divorce, follow the adventures of JB as he flies on the back of a reindeer, feeds Mister Rogers’s fish, and defines what can be forgotten by those who are too busy to remember the magic of Christmas, cuckoo-clocks, and love.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published September 28, 2021
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152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
August 28, 2021
This is a very quick read, but with a lot of heart, and it takes a little boy and an older man to show the true meaning of Christmas.
The magic of Christmas comes alive with the author's words, and we are gifted with a heartwarming story that will have you page turning for answers.
From Mr. Roger's Neighborhood to a clock with bellows to eight tiny reindeer, you will find yourself pulled into this sweet read.
One you won't want to miss!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Paraclete Press, and was not required to give a positive review.
The magic of Christmas comes alive with the author's words, and we are gifted with a heartwarming story that will have you page turning for answers.
From Mr. Roger's Neighborhood to a clock with bellows to eight tiny reindeer, you will find yourself pulled into this sweet read.
One you won't want to miss!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Paraclete Press, and was not required to give a positive review.
December 16, 2022
Mr. Nicholas is an ordinary Christmas tale, which means it delivers a dose of the extraordinary that the birth of the Christ-child brings. The "magic" accompanies Mr. Nicholas, as you might easily guess, but the story centers on a couple at the brink of divorce and their wonderfully simple son, who has Down syndrome.
Mister Rogers Neighborhood serves as a touchstone in the story, which touched this fan of the show and western Pennsylvania native.
If you're looking for a short Christmas book to help remind you of the true magic of Christmas - the capacity to change, grow, and love - Christopher de Vinck's Mr. Nicholas may be the ticket.
3.5 stars
Mister Rogers Neighborhood serves as a touchstone in the story, which touched this fan of the show and western Pennsylvania native.
If you're looking for a short Christmas book to help remind you of the true magic of Christmas - the capacity to change, grow, and love - Christopher de Vinck's Mr. Nicholas may be the ticket.
3.5 stars
December 19, 2022
If you're looking for a short Christmas book to help remind you of the true magic of Christmas, Mr. Nicholas may be the ticket. I had thought it was going to be children's book, but it is very much a story for adults (...adults who have perhaps lost their imagination and the ability to accept others as they are) ... It's a charming story in which lives and hearts are changed by a sweet boy with Down Syndrome and his unconditional love. A quick and worthy read at Christmastime.
June 25, 2021
3.5 stars
Today, we are six months out from Christmas and I enjoyed Christmas in June with a delightful seasonal novella by Christopher de Vinck, Mr. Nicholas: A Magical Christmas Tale. I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley.
I came across the title on NetGalley and was intrigued by the description, which included a Mister Rogers allusion, and the fact that the book was written by a friend of Fred Rogers. Plus, I do like Christmas stories!
Recommendation
Overall, I enjoyed the plot line and whimsy, and especially the portrayal of make-believe, from an adult perspective. The narrative was sweet and delightful and I appreciated the character development. Hesitant recommendation due to the treatment of Down Syndrome.
General Impression:
The book lived up to my expectations. I was anticipating a heartwarming, wonder-filled story that brought to heart the innocence of childhood, and the book certainly delivered.
Characterization
I enjoyed following the main character’s development and maturation, through a harkening back to the playfulness of childhood. This was a refreshing reversal of the typical “coming of age” story, and reminded me of a stellar classic, Manalive, by G.K. Chesterton.
Jim, the main character, is a reporter for the New York Times. Ambitious, Jim sacrifices family time to his career and is more interested in watching baseball than having a meaningful conversation with his Anna.
J. B., Jim’s ten year-old son, is my favorite character. Imaginative and intuitive, J.B. is an adorable kid who has Down Syndrome. J.B. enjoys watching “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” and refers to his father as “Darth Vader.”
Anna, Jim’s wife, is an artist who feels neglected by her husband. Anna and Jim are going through a separation.
Mr. Nicholas, a subject of local intrigue, owns the hardware store and has an excellent rapport with children.
Treatment of Down Syndrome
Jim is painfully honest in his descriptions of his experience of having a child with Down Syndrome. In his narration, Jim matter-of-factly refers to J.B. as “ugly” (at least as an infant) and “useless.”
While I think that the term “useless” is meant to contrast with J.B’s inherent value— he is not lovable because of the things he does, but because of who he is— I don’t think this point really comes across in the text. While Jim’s attitude changes over time, he doesn’t seem to regret his previous mentality. There’s definitely s turning point, but I think it should have been more pronounced.
This makes for an upbeat story, but I’m uncomfortable with the treatment of Down Syndrome.
Today, we are six months out from Christmas and I enjoyed Christmas in June with a delightful seasonal novella by Christopher de Vinck, Mr. Nicholas: A Magical Christmas Tale. I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley.
I came across the title on NetGalley and was intrigued by the description, which included a Mister Rogers allusion, and the fact that the book was written by a friend of Fred Rogers. Plus, I do like Christmas stories!
Recommendation
Overall, I enjoyed the plot line and whimsy, and especially the portrayal of make-believe, from an adult perspective. The narrative was sweet and delightful and I appreciated the character development. Hesitant recommendation due to the treatment of Down Syndrome.
General Impression:
The book lived up to my expectations. I was anticipating a heartwarming, wonder-filled story that brought to heart the innocence of childhood, and the book certainly delivered.
Characterization
I enjoyed following the main character’s development and maturation, through a harkening back to the playfulness of childhood. This was a refreshing reversal of the typical “coming of age” story, and reminded me of a stellar classic, Manalive, by G.K. Chesterton.
Jim, the main character, is a reporter for the New York Times. Ambitious, Jim sacrifices family time to his career and is more interested in watching baseball than having a meaningful conversation with his Anna.
J. B., Jim’s ten year-old son, is my favorite character. Imaginative and intuitive, J.B. is an adorable kid who has Down Syndrome. J.B. enjoys watching “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” and refers to his father as “Darth Vader.”
Anna, Jim’s wife, is an artist who feels neglected by her husband. Anna and Jim are going through a separation.
Mr. Nicholas, a subject of local intrigue, owns the hardware store and has an excellent rapport with children.
Treatment of Down Syndrome
Jim is painfully honest in his descriptions of his experience of having a child with Down Syndrome. In his narration, Jim matter-of-factly refers to J.B. as “ugly” (at least as an infant) and “useless.”
While I think that the term “useless” is meant to contrast with J.B’s inherent value— he is not lovable because of the things he does, but because of who he is— I don’t think this point really comes across in the text. While Jim’s attitude changes over time, he doesn’t seem to regret his previous mentality. There’s definitely s turning point, but I think it should have been more pronounced.
This makes for an upbeat story, but I’m uncomfortable with the treatment of Down Syndrome.
November 28, 2022
This is an interesting story and a cute concept. The prose-like style is very easy to read (I read this one in 1 sitting!). I really loved the character JB and his perspective.
This is marketed in the inspirational genre and set during the Christmas season, and as such, I expected at least 1 outright mention of the nativity/Christ as reason for celebration instead of the total focus on a Santa-like figure.
This is marketed in the inspirational genre and set during the Christmas season, and as such, I expected at least 1 outright mention of the nativity/Christ as reason for celebration instead of the total focus on a Santa-like figure.
July 8, 2021
I absolutely loved this cute little Christmas story about a boy with down syndrome, his parents and Mr. Nicholas. This was a great story about faith and opening your eyes to the wonders of the world and seeing things differently then everyone else. Definitely recommend!
June 30, 2021
I read this as a Netgalley ARC and I really, really wanted to like it. I usually love a good Santa Claus story. Unfortunately, while the Santa Claus portion of the story was cute, the rest of it was decidedly Not Cute™
My discomfort started with the poorly worded foreword from Joanne Rogers, wife of famed Fred Rogers. In it she referred to children with Down's Syndrome as "seemingly useless" which got my hackles up.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Rogers appears to have been quoting the main character of the story who has a son with Down's Syndrome. The entire story is told through his ugly, mean, self-centred eyes and then poof! One day he meets Santa Claus and after a decade of hateful neglect, he learns to appreciate his son. This character uses a great many very insulting, ugly words to describe his special needs son. It's uncomfortable and unpleasant to read.
This being a rather short novella, there is not enough time given to the character's turn around and redemption to make it believable. Zero time or effort is put into showing how this man has finally come to love and appreciate his wife and I was left assuming that by the following Christmas this couple would be on divorce's doorstep once again. No time was given to the wife's very sympathetic side of the story and the author basically turned her into a shrew near the end.
If this story had simply begun when the wife presented her husband with the divorce papers, and then told the story of a man finally learning to bond with his unique son with the help of a quirky old toy maker and some reindeer, it could have been very cute. Unfortunately the first half outweighs the second and not in a good way.
My discomfort started with the poorly worded foreword from Joanne Rogers, wife of famed Fred Rogers. In it she referred to children with Down's Syndrome as "seemingly useless" which got my hackles up.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Rogers appears to have been quoting the main character of the story who has a son with Down's Syndrome. The entire story is told through his ugly, mean, self-centred eyes and then poof! One day he meets Santa Claus and after a decade of hateful neglect, he learns to appreciate his son. This character uses a great many very insulting, ugly words to describe his special needs son. It's uncomfortable and unpleasant to read.
This being a rather short novella, there is not enough time given to the character's turn around and redemption to make it believable. Zero time or effort is put into showing how this man has finally come to love and appreciate his wife and I was left assuming that by the following Christmas this couple would be on divorce's doorstep once again. No time was given to the wife's very sympathetic side of the story and the author basically turned her into a shrew near the end.
If this story had simply begun when the wife presented her husband with the divorce papers, and then told the story of a man finally learning to bond with his unique son with the help of a quirky old toy maker and some reindeer, it could have been very cute. Unfortunately the first half outweighs the second and not in a good way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2022
Don’t think that this is children’s book; it is not. Parable-like in its telling, it is the story of a couple on the verge of divorce and of their special son. Anna and Jim married without either of them really knowing the other, but they were in love, so what did it matter? Well, it did matter, and Anna was the first to realize that it did, after the birth of their Down syndrome son, JB. She filed for separation when JB was ten, with Jim having weekend visitation rights. Only after Jim had JB for the weekends did he realize how special his son truly was. The credit for Jim’s epiphany goes partly to Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood which JB watches with rapt attention, and to an unusual hardware store owner, Mr. Nicolas, who was really more than he seemed to be at first glance. This is a delightful and magical Christmas story, told simply and eloquently, about a family who fell apart, but then came back together. This charming tale reminds us that everyone is special in his or her own way, that it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and that, as it first began with the birth of a child in Bethlehem, love is indeed a special gift.
December 21, 2021
I picked this book up in an airport recently. I was expecting a fluffy, feel-good Christmas read. It sort-of delivered. I just wasn't wowed. In fact, I was pretty annoyed with the early chapters. The main character is a less-than-stellar father and husband. So much so, that I really wasn't invested in whether or not he could change his ways. I was almost thinking that the happy ending should be, "His family realized they were better off without him and built a happy life together in another state."
Spoiler alert: That's not what happens.
I did enjoy Mr. Nicholas and JB. They might make it worth the read.
Spoiler alert: That's not what happens.
I did enjoy Mr. Nicholas and JB. They might make it worth the read.
December 4, 2021
A delightful magical book that was heartwarming while reading by the Chritmas tree. Sometimes we need gentle reminders to find joy and wonder through a child's eye...
I am also reminded of the joy Mr. Roger's brought to so many children with his words to help each child feel good ...just as they are!!
I am also reminded of the joy Mr. Roger's brought to so many children with his words to help each child feel good ...just as they are!!
December 20, 2021
Jim has never quite understood how his wife saw things or what the problem was with just following his own interests. What he really has never quite understood or tried to understand was his son born with Down syndrome. He didn't try to really understand until pushed into it. This is a charming, sweet story for Christmas. It isn't the Hallmark movie romance, but it is a romance of a sort - of a man falling in love with his son, his wife, life and possibilities.
January 8, 2023
This was an absolutely adorable story about real people, Santa, Mr. Rogers, and love. Highly recommend!
January 5, 2022
Sweet story with a nice message. If you like happy endings this is for you!
December 13, 2025
Such a sweet short story.
September 21, 2021
Wasn't it C.S. Lewis who believed a good children's story would also appeal to adults? This tale is of that caliber. Besides the mystery surrounding the odd Mr. Nicholas, the story stirs the heart on several levels. There's JB, the Down Syndrome child who figures it out; who introduces his own type of magic, yet is a catalyst to tension between his journalist, baseball fanatic Dad and his painter-driven Mom. Can this marriage be salvaged and reconciled? Add in the village folk who find Mr. Nicholas keeps them off keel. Will they ever figure out what that niggling aura of oddity is about him?
The tweaks and twists of the author's ingenious skill, lend to a thoroughly enjoyable read as he intricately weaves his story. This definitely should earn him a prestigious award or two. for he can certainly stoke a story and have it resonate for both children and adults.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
August 2021
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by the publisher.
The tweaks and twists of the author's ingenious skill, lend to a thoroughly enjoyable read as he intricately weaves his story. This definitely should earn him a prestigious award or two. for he can certainly stoke a story and have it resonate for both children and adults.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
August 2021
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by the publisher.
January 9, 2022
Mr. Nicholas is a holiday novella with a universal message. Written by one of Mr. Rogers' closest friends, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood has a strong presence throughout this incredible story. JB is a young, sweet, boy with Down Syndrome who has incredible insight and perspective. His father, a writer, struggles to connect with JB after his birth and subsequently is facing a divorce from JB's mom Anna.
Enter Mr. Nicholas. In a Pennsylvania town with a Main Street like so many others, the hardware store remains shrouded in mystery. Mr. Nicholas seemingly can fulfill any request given-even in a tiny store. JB catches on right away while the town becomes more and more concerned with Mr. Nicholas and rumors take off. Can a cynical father find the magic of Christmas and become a believer? Pick up this one today. It will warm your heart. I loved the simple prose, the universal message and the faith this story carries throughout.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Enter Mr. Nicholas. In a Pennsylvania town with a Main Street like so many others, the hardware store remains shrouded in mystery. Mr. Nicholas seemingly can fulfill any request given-even in a tiny store. JB catches on right away while the town becomes more and more concerned with Mr. Nicholas and rumors take off. Can a cynical father find the magic of Christmas and become a believer? Pick up this one today. It will warm your heart. I loved the simple prose, the universal message and the faith this story carries throughout.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
September 21, 2021
Mr. Nicholas: A Magical Christmas Tale by Christopher de Vinck is a sweet story of a disjointed family that needs to give forgiveness and love to each other. I had thought from this story that this was going to be a children’s book but it is very much a story for adults. Adults who have perhaps lost their imagination, sense of wonder and the ability to accept others as they are.
At the heart of the story is Mr. Nicholas but it is more in how he is seen by others especially the ten-year old boy, JD. Instead of the usual limits that are thought of when a Down syndrome child is involved. JD has certain skills and insights that we can all learn from in this story. Not your usual Christmas story making it even more of a marvelous read because of that fact.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.
At the heart of the story is Mr. Nicholas but it is more in how he is seen by others especially the ten-year old boy, JD. Instead of the usual limits that are thought of when a Down syndrome child is involved. JD has certain skills and insights that we can all learn from in this story. Not your usual Christmas story making it even more of a marvelous read because of that fact.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.
June 27, 2021
A sweet Christmas related story to warm your heart. It's about opening your eyes to the wonders of the world, believing, having faith and trust. Kelly a reporter is on the verge of a divorce, he doesn't understand why his wife wants him to look at life and enjoy all aspects of it and why does she feel that he doesn't have any dream. It takes his son, affected by down syndrome, and his towns hardware owner,a suspicious character of his own, to in a series of short incident makes him start exploring and creating his own imaginations and start living his dreams.
At 160 pages this is an enjoyable book which can be finished in one happy session. Recommended just because no matter ones age it's never too late to learn to believe or dream.
My thanks to Netgalley who provided me an advance copy of this book for my unbiased feedback.
At 160 pages this is an enjoyable book which can be finished in one happy session. Recommended just because no matter ones age it's never too late to learn to believe or dream.
My thanks to Netgalley who provided me an advance copy of this book for my unbiased feedback.
July 3, 2021
Mr. Nicholas
By Christopher de Vinck
This is a Christmas story that children will enjoy, but it is really a story for adults who have lost their childish sense of wonder and a child's ability to see the world as it really is and to love it.
It is a short book, simply written. And yet, it contains some great truths about what we see and how we perceive it. It is a beautiful story, well told. I would recommend this to everyone – we can all stand to have our eyes – both physical and emotional – opened to the beauty in all of creation. Just because a creation seems imperfect to the naked eye, we often miss the perfect beauty it contains.
Thank you for this gem, Mr. de Vinck.
By Christopher de Vinck
This is a Christmas story that children will enjoy, but it is really a story for adults who have lost their childish sense of wonder and a child's ability to see the world as it really is and to love it.
It is a short book, simply written. And yet, it contains some great truths about what we see and how we perceive it. It is a beautiful story, well told. I would recommend this to everyone – we can all stand to have our eyes – both physical and emotional – opened to the beauty in all of creation. Just because a creation seems imperfect to the naked eye, we often miss the perfect beauty it contains.
Thank you for this gem, Mr. de Vinck.
July 19, 2021
Mr. Nicholas is a delightful and heart-warming tale of how a sweet boy helps the people in his life believe in the magic of Christmas. Mr. Nicholas is an eccentric. Jim is a hardened newspaper man. Anna is a disillusioned artist and wife of Jim, and JB, anna and Jim’s son, is a kind-hearted, imaginative boy who opens the eyes of his disenchanted parents. This is a quick and worthy read. Mr. Fred Roger’s wife Joanne wrote the forward. If you enjoy Christmas stories, this is one you don’t want to miss. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 23, 2022
A very quick read but I found that the characters a little 2 dimensional. I disliked Anna from the beginning as one who accuses her husband of not understanding her when she is equally as guilty as he is. Jim seemed to just sleep walk through his life agreeing with Anna rather than express his own opinions and ended up getting married with a child without really understanding how he got there. The couple shouldnt really have got married in the begining! The redeeming character of this book is JB and seeing the world through his eyes kept me engaged with the book. The kid deserved better parents!
October 5, 2021
A sweet Christmas-themed novella. The title character is not the main character in this story of a young dad who doesn't know how to relate to his 10-year-old son with Down syndrome, nor his artistic wife. When his son JB becomes fascinated with Mr. Nicholas, the friendly but mysterious hardware store owner, Jim begins to look at the people around him with new eyes. And as Christmas approaches, some very interesting things start to happen around that hardware store. A fun read! (Advance review copy received from publisher.)
December 23, 2021
A charming book about the uniqueness of every soul, and of the power of love through a Down's syndrome child and people who are, just different. A hint as to Santa Claus's true identity--a wonderfully wise owner of a hardware store in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. An estranged wife comes gradually closer to her husband as he learns how unique and full of love their child is, and how a positive spirit of love as exemplified by Mr Nicholas as Christmas approaches. A quick but very positive read.
December 30, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and Paraclete Press for the gifted book!
A fast paced read full of heart about a man's life being transformed as he faces divorcing his wife and has to finally get to know his 10-year-old down syndrome son. His son opens his eyes to the wonder and ordinary and extraordinary magic of Christmas with the help of the jolly hardware store owner Mr. Nicholas. A feel good read for the whole family.
A fast paced read full of heart about a man's life being transformed as he faces divorcing his wife and has to finally get to know his 10-year-old down syndrome son. His son opens his eyes to the wonder and ordinary and extraordinary magic of Christmas with the help of the jolly hardware store owner Mr. Nicholas. A feel good read for the whole family.
January 2, 2022
A perfect short story that makes this a stocking stuffer for any reader on your list. Young and old will enjoy getting to know JB who suffers from Down's Syndrome. The father starts off as a jerk in the story but with the help of the local hardware store owner he comes around to seeing his son for the miracle he is. The book will endure for years as a Christmas favorite. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 7, 2022
This was a very heartwarming story about love, forgiveness and hope. I loved the concept of JB's pureness as a child with Down's syndrome. He made all of those around him believers. I loved how this story showed how sometimes we learn to love another as we grow with them and make the effort. I also enjoyed how Mr. Nicholas played such a mystical role in the story. I'm so glad I read this novella and recommend it to all. Don't forget to feed the fish !!!
December 27, 2022
This is not your typical Christmas story, and I’m not usually a fan of “Santa Claus is real” type of books, but I did enjoy how the main character evolves and grows as he processes his own life, deals with regrets and comes to love and appreciate his disabled son in a new light. If you can handle the Santa Claus stuff, this is a quiet but beautiful story of redemption.
December 10, 2025
3 ⭐️
Quick but creative and meaningful take on a real neighborhood St. Nick and a little boy who understands the “magic of Christmas” better than the adults around him. I especially liked how the father’s affection for his son grew as he spent more time with him and stopped focusing so much on himself.
Quick but creative and meaningful take on a real neighborhood St. Nick and a little boy who understands the “magic of Christmas” better than the adults around him. I especially liked how the father’s affection for his son grew as he spent more time with him and stopped focusing so much on himself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2021
This short book is quite endearing and worth making time to read this holiday season. Fast read with a sweet sincere quality to make you snicker and tear up at the right time of year.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
December 8, 2021
I wanted to love this book, but it was just missing something. I think it would have been better as a full novel instead of a novella. There just wasn’t enough time to flesh out any characters and the turnaround in the main character seemed unrealistic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews