KRINGLE: A Santa Claus Tale

“Deep in the land of ghosts and frost, back in the days of long ago, when elves and goblins still roamed the earth, there was a boy name Kringle. He lived a quiet, solitary existence…until his twelfth winter, when goblins attacked his home and cast the boy out into the wilderness.

“Now Kringle finds himself adrift in a strange and frightening world. But fate soon intervenes. Through encounters with elves, pirates, the ancient magic of time, and the dark threat of goblins massing for an epic battle, Kringle begins to realize that he has a destiny to fill—and that even a lone boy can wield the power to change the world forever.”

KRINGLE, by Tony Abbott, is another Santa Claus-origin story I came across in my local library over seven years ago now. But it’s unlike any origin story I’d read before (or since), and it so captivated my imagination, I eventually bought a copy for myself. First released in 2005, it is now out of print, but I’m sure most libraries will have this gem of a book on their shelves. (You may also score under the “used” section on Amazon.) Though written for middle-school readers, KRINGLE can’t help but charm those teens and adults who enjoy a whimsical tale (*raises hand*), as it’s a full-fledged fantasy novel at 317 pages, with an engrossing plot and three-dimensional characters.

Here’s a sneak-peek at the Prologue:

About the mystery of the boy, his early years, and how he came to be what he became, I suppose everyone everywhere has heard nearly every kind of story.

Such mistruths and makings-up! Such fantasies!

Only a few remain who were with him from the start, and fewer still who could tell you the tale properly.

So many lies! And for so many years!

Finally, there was nothing left to do but take up the pen myself, which I had little expected to do at my age, and set down the facts from the very beginning.

That the boy hada beginning, and that I was there for most of it, is all you need to know right now.

So, gather around. Light the lamp. Settle yourselves into a comfortable place. Pity those who come in late, for once the story starts, it doesn’t slow down much.

You might say it hasn’t slowed down even now.

You might say it’s still happening.But never mind. There’s time enough before we get to that. For now, shhh. Let me begin.

Ready to grab yourself a copy of KRINGLE? Click here for the link to its Amazon page or head to your local library. Then cuddle up with a warm blanket and favorite hot drink and escape for an afternoon or two into a unique Christmas fantasy.