Skip to Main Content

About The Book

‘A sheer delight for all kids both big AND small’ Ruth Jones

'Bubbles with warmth and mischievous humour . . . irresistible'
Alexander Armstrong

'Wonderful, funny, magical' Chris Evans on How I Became a Dog Called Midnight

Find out where it all began and meet Father Christmas himself in the classic Christmas story from million-copy bestselling children's author, actor and comedian, Ben Miller. Give the perfect gift for all the family, with a brand-new picture book companion illustrated by Elisa Paganelli also available and OUT NOW!

Jackson knows all about the flying reindeer, he knows about the elves and the secret North Pole workshop, he knows about the magic that allows Father Christmas to deliver presents around the world in just one night, but there's one thing he doesn't know . . . how did Father Christmas become Father Christmas?

That all changes when, one Christmas Eve, Jackson meets Father Christmas and hears his incredible story.

So begins an enchanting fairy-tale into a magical snowy landscape, where Torvil, a mean-spirited and miserly elf, is about to discover the true meaning of Christmas. This might not have been the story Jackson was expecting but, as Father Christmas tells him, no good story ever is...

With beautiful illustrations throughout from Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini and warm, funny words from Ben Miller, this book will remind everyone of the true spirit of Christmas and prove once and for all that Father Christmas really does exist!

Praise for Ben Miller
'A magical adventure' Sunday Express on The Day I Fell Into a Fairytale
'Great for reading aloud' The Week Junior on The Day I Fell Into a Fairytale
'A fire-side gem of a story' Abi Elphinstone on The Night I Met Father Christmas
'Fabulous' Sunday Express on The Boy Who Made the World Disappear
'Enchanting, funny and intriguing in equal measure' Philip Ardagh on The Night I Met Father Christmas
'Each of [Ben’s] five books is joyous and thoughtful' Red Magazine

About The Author

David Reiss

Ben Miller is the bestselling author of magical stories for the whole family: The Night I Met Father Christmas, The Boy Who Made the World Disappear, The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale, How I Became a Dog Called Midnight, Diary of a Christmas Elf, and The Night We Got Stuck in a Story. He is an actor, director, and comedian best known for The Armstrong & Miller Show, the Johnny English and Paddington films, BBC’s Death in Paradise, and recent Netflix smash Bridgerton.

About The Illustrator

Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini is an illustrator whose work has appeared in galleries worldwide. She studied fine arts in Milan before moving to London to study photography. Daniela’s contemporary take on classic style allows her to take on some very challenging picture books; The Seeing Stick by Jane Yolen and Animals Marco Polo Saw by Sandra Markle attracted much industry acclaim.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK (November 1, 2019)
  • Length: 304 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781471171543
  • Ages: 8 - 99

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

'Enchanting, funny and intriguing in equal measure'

– Philip Ardagh, bestselling author

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Ben Miller

More books from this illustrator: Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini