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The Butterfly Christmas
You don't have to believe. You just have to believe it's possible.
Two letters to Santa Claus from a child in Erie, Pennsylvania send the old saint on a humbling, sometimes treacherous, sometimes hopeless, sometimes impossible journey of self-discovery that could affect millions of people around the world and forever change the lives of one Pennsylvania family.
From the North Pole to heaven's door, to Erie, to a fishing village in Norway and back, The Butterfly Christmas takes you on a journey like no other.
Two letters to Santa Claus from a child in Erie, Pennsylvania send the old saint on a humbling, sometimes treacherous, sometimes hopeless, sometimes impossible journey of self-discovery that could affect millions of people around the world and forever change the lives of one Pennsylvania family.
From the North Pole to heaven's door, to Erie, to a fishing village in Norway and back, The Butterfly Christmas takes you on a journey like no other.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 5, 2022
34 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 18, 2022
Delightful story. I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. Very satisfying for a Christmas story.
December 20, 2022
A sweet story of miracles.
December 16, 2022
Uplifting
A wonderfully written Christmas novel. It evoked tears and smiles. It was truly a heaven-sent gift to read trying to enjoy my first Christmas since my Mom’s passing. To me it reflected the good and evil in the world.
A wonderfully written Christmas novel. It evoked tears and smiles. It was truly a heaven-sent gift to read trying to enjoy my first Christmas since my Mom’s passing. To me it reflected the good and evil in the world.
December 16, 2022
Read it you will be glad you did
Worth every minute I spent reading it. I suggest you read it too!
Will refill hope in your heart and bring tears to your eyes
Worth every minute I spent reading it. I suggest you read it too!
Will refill hope in your heart and bring tears to your eyes
December 12, 2022
A Different kind of Christmas Story
A sweet story that addresses several sad situations of people hurting at Christmas time. It also shows people how to believe in their selves, and that there is goodness in everyone.
A sweet story that addresses several sad situations of people hurting at Christmas time. It also shows people how to believe in their selves, and that there is goodness in everyone.
December 14, 2022
Beautiful book!
I hope everyone makes time to read this book. It is full of love, hope, and miracles. The book is perfect for the holiday season!
I hope everyone makes time to read this book. It is full of love, hope, and miracles. The book is perfect for the holiday season!
December 11, 2022
Bring on the tissue
A story of love, loss and survival! It touches even the most non-believers heart but for a believer such as I, it reaffirms my faith, hope and reminds me of the love that has been given us!
A story of love, loss and survival! It touches even the most non-believers heart but for a believer such as I, it reaffirms my faith, hope and reminds me of the love that has been given us!
November 17, 2023
I really enjoyed being reminded to share the joy.
Read
December 27, 2022This book, written by William McDonald, takes place in my home town, Erie, Pennsylvania,. One of its settings is St. Patrick’s Haven, a homeless shelter in Erie which definitely exists, and to which McDonald donates his profits. Another setting is The North Pole, and a main character is Santa Claus.
The Sisters of St. Joseph, many who taught and inspired me since the mid-1950s, featured this book in their annual Christmas greetings and request for donations.
The story of hope, kindness, and miracles is indeed inspiring itself, and is based on two letters that really were written to Santa Claus, and that Mr. McDonald happened upon. Many of the events in the story could truly happen—in Erie and elsewhere—and by the end of this touching book, I found myself wishing that all of them could.
December 15, 2023
A beautiful fantasy, a fairy story of faith and hope. Do you believe? This is a lovely read and actually makes you stop and think. Never lose hope.
***************************************
You don't have to believe. You just have to believe it's possible.
Two letters to Santa Claus from a child in Erie, Pennsylvania send the old saint on a humbling, sometimes treacherous, sometimes hopeless, sometimes impossible journey of self-discovery that could affect millions of people around the world and forever change the lives of one Pennsylvania family.
From the North Pole to heaven's door, to Erie, to a fishing village in Norway and back, The Butterfly Christmas takes you on a journey like no other.
***************************************
You don't have to believe. You just have to believe it's possible.
Two letters to Santa Claus from a child in Erie, Pennsylvania send the old saint on a humbling, sometimes treacherous, sometimes hopeless, sometimes impossible journey of self-discovery that could affect millions of people around the world and forever change the lives of one Pennsylvania family.
From the North Pole to heaven's door, to Erie, to a fishing village in Norway and back, The Butterfly Christmas takes you on a journey like no other.
December 2, 2022
When I read the description, I knew I'd like this book. So I got it and knew from the first chapter that this was a very special book. One that I'll reread every year at Christmas. It's sad, and yet it's inspiring and I found myself in tears by the end. It's a sweet, soul-searching, beautiful story that will make someone question the reality of Santa being just a myth. Or maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part.
December 27, 2024
One of the best books I've read all year: positive, uplifting and with a lot of festive magic. It requires you to set aside cynicism and simply enjoy the story. Well written with strong characters, a good dose of humour and a light touch on the setting and atmosphere so you get just enough to create your own landscapes. Finished it in two gulps; loved it.
December 25, 2022
This review first appeared on my blog - https://nsfordwriter.com - on 23rd December 2022.
A beautifully-written novel about grief, hope and miracles. It had the feel of a Christmas movie but on the right side of sentimental.
Book cover of The Butterfly Christmas by William McDonald showing a snow angel.
Set in the town of Erie, Pennsylvania, the story centres on a family – appropriately their surname is Worthy – and how the real Santa Claus decides to help them. It all started when a little girl wrote letters to Santa about her sister, who had a disease which made her skin as fragile as butterfly wings. Santa felt guilty that he wasn’t able to prevent the sister’s death, so, after a conversation with God, Santa becomes an ordinary guy on Earth for a while. He ends up at a homeless shelter, makes friends and even gets arrested.
I found this a very absorbing read, with a strong sense of place, the tone sad and yet warm-hearted. There was a side-plot about a virus which I think could have been cut from the story to make it simpler. Although the book mentions heaven and God, the spiritual approach has a broad appeal.
A beautifully-written novel about grief, hope and miracles. It had the feel of a Christmas movie but on the right side of sentimental.
Book cover of The Butterfly Christmas by William McDonald showing a snow angel.
Set in the town of Erie, Pennsylvania, the story centres on a family – appropriately their surname is Worthy – and how the real Santa Claus decides to help them. It all started when a little girl wrote letters to Santa about her sister, who had a disease which made her skin as fragile as butterfly wings. Santa felt guilty that he wasn’t able to prevent the sister’s death, so, after a conversation with God, Santa becomes an ordinary guy on Earth for a while. He ends up at a homeless shelter, makes friends and even gets arrested.
I found this a very absorbing read, with a strong sense of place, the tone sad and yet warm-hearted. There was a side-plot about a virus which I think could have been cut from the story to make it simpler. Although the book mentions heaven and God, the spiritual approach has a broad appeal.
December 9, 2022
William McDonald touched my heart with The Butterfly Christmas. Such a wonderful tale of faith, hope and love along with the miracles of Christmas.
December 20, 2023
Interesting story set in my home town. Decent character development. I would give it truly 3.5 but round up. A good holiday read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews