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When Santa Fell to Earth

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"When Santa Fell to Earth" by Cornelia Funke follows the story of Ben, a seemingly underachieving child, and Niklas Goodfellow, the last real Santa Claus. The plot revolves around the evil Gerold Geronimus Goblynch who has outlawed the old ways of Christmas magic for children and is turning Santas into chocolate. When Niklas' caravan crashes to Earth, Ben and his friend Charlotte must help Niklas find his missing invisible reindeer, stop Goblynch, and restore the magic of Christmas and snow. The story blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and Christmas spirit as the characters work together to save Christmas.

The writing style of Cornelia Funke in this book is described as clever and suitable for both children and adults. is praised for its ability to keep readers smiling throughout the entire storyline, making it a perfect read, especially during the holiday season. Despite some characters not showing significant development, the book is appreciated for its ability to depict the magic of Christmas and the importance of family bonding in a heartwarming and entertaining manner.

Characters:

Characters include a struggling boy, a noble Santa, and various magical beings, with clear distinctions between heroes and villains.

Writing/Prose:

The author's style is engaging and humorous, appealing to a broad audience.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around a boy and the last Santa Claus fighting against a villain who seeks to destroy Christmas magic.

Setting:

The setting blends contemporary life with whimsical Christmas lore.

Pacing:

The book maintains an engaging pace, though some may find it drags at moments.

Notes:

The main character is Ben, a child who seems to be an underachiever.
Niklas Goodfellow is the last real Santa Claus in the story.
An evil character, Gerold Geronimus Goblynch, is in charge of the Great Christmas Council.
Goblynch has banned magic and replaced Santa's helpers with snowmobiles.
Any Santa who disagrees with Goblynch is turned into chocolate.
Ben and his friend Charlotte help Niklas after he falls to Earth while trying to hide.
The book has a bittersweet ending and some characters don't change throughout the story.
Niklas' friends, like elves and reindeer, have been banned or exterminated.
The story includes themes of neglectful adults but retains the spirit of Christmas.
It has been well-received by children and is popular for reading aloud during Christmas.
Parents and children have bonded over reading the book together, making it a family favorite.

From The Publisher:

What would happen if Santa fell to Earth? Christmas through the eyes of Cornelia Funke: quirky, funny, ultimately heartwarming, and packaged in a collectible format. A new holiday classic!

Scared by a storm, Twinklestar, the least reliable reindeer, bolts-causing Santa and his sleigh to crash-land. And though Santa has dropped into a friendly neighborhood, he's not safe: Jeremiah Goblynch, the ruthless new leader of the Council of Yuleland, is determind to put an end to children's wishes and turn the holiday season into his own personal moneymaking scheme. As the last REAL St. Nick around, only Santa stands between Goblynch and his grinchlike plan. With the help and hope of kids Charlotte and Ben, Santa must face Goblynch and his Nutcracker goons to save Christmas!

 
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