Juniper's Christmas by Eoin Colfer

I am exactly the right person to review this book, because like the central character Juniper, I too was a Christmas baby, and I read this book on the same day as Santa came to town in all his pageantry in Adelaide. This is a book where magical and serendipitous moments happen, and Christmas may even be the winner. Sadly though, the book begins with the sad revelation that Santa is no longer at work and that the hope and joy of Christmas has been missing for some time. There is  a lingering, historical hankering for Santa’s return, and it is Juniper’s family that has managed to cling to the manner of generosity that Christmas was known for (in the time of Santa). Working hard to maintain a Santa vigil and to help the homeless in their local park, Juniper and her Park Manager mother, Jennifer, are together maintaining a brave face, even though they have known their own loss – the death of Briar (Juniper’s father). When Jennifer goes missing, Juniper connects with Duchess (a local and ailing homeless woman) and eventually Niko (a somewhat mysterious helper in the background) to find her mother, to solve the mystery of Niko, restore Duchess to health, and bring the community together. Throw in some magical elves, reindeer and magic sacks and spangles of magic, a potential romance, and mix them with some cruel thieves, an unscrupulous official and it is a recipe for Christmas mayhem. However, the magic of Christmas changes mayhem into the mystery of the season, and the return of hope for all.

This is an Eion Colfer spectacular! It is full of whimsey and quirkiness, and yet there is a magical logic underpinning the strange world where Santa has ceased operation. Initially I was worried that it may cause concern for some die-hard Santa devotees (note: I am not one of those), but the gentle and magical tale is charming and imaginative, and the story is endearing. Black and white illustrations are naive and scattered through the pages. This book may still be a step-too-far for those who are too young to have given up the fantasy of Santa’s arrival and his foreknowledge and role on Christmas Eve journey’s around the world, but Colfer does an amazing job of providing an explanation (and even science) of some of these mysteries. The story incorporates family love and care for others as an ethic to be valued, and the ‘bad guys’ do not win in their attempt to seize power. This is not just a book to be read at Christmas time, and readers aged 9-12 will enjoy it.

Note: there is no mention of the Christian basis of Christmas, Santa is the sole ‘Christmas’ character.

Themes: Christmas, Santa Claus, Homeless people, Kindness, Magic, Fantasy.

Carolyn Hull