Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle – Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien and a recipe for Christmas cake #bookreview #recipe #Christmas
Posted: December 11, 2024 Filed under: Books, Read and Cook, Recipes, Review | Tags: Christmas, Christmas fiction, J.R.R.Tolkien, Letters From Father Christmas, Read and Cook, Robbie Cheadle, Writing to be Read 43 Comments
My review
Letters to Father Christmas is Tolkien at his absolute best. A series of letters written to his own children and featuring Father Christmas as a very real and relatable person who experiences lots of setbacks, both small and large. Set over an extended period, the letters also run through World War II and explains how the war and its deprivations impact on the folk at the North Pole. Although WWII is a long time past, this messaging of resilience and making the best of things is still relevant in our modern time of uncertainty and warfare.
Father Christmas relies on his number one helper, Polar Bear, to help him in his work. As time passes and more and more children are born, Father Christmas also gets help from the elves. His elven secretary also starts assisting him with his letter writing. Polar Bear is a delightful character, full of fun and very naughty, he is always getting into trouble and creating mishaps. Father Christmas has to move house after Polar Bear tries to rescue his hat from blowing away in a wind and falls through the room and into the family room.
Father Christmas also faces adversity in the form of the hostile goblins who keep attacking his home every couple of hundred years. The goblins are mean and treacherous creatures and the folk at the North Pole have to call upon the red dwarves for assistances from their attack. An interesting way of explaining war and its meaning to young children.
A delightful book for children and adults and one I highly recommend.
You can purchase Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618512659
Quotes from Letters from Father Christmas
“if you remember him, is still fast asleep, and quite thin after so much fasting. He will soon cure that. I shall tickle his ribs and wake him up soon; and then he will eat several months’ breakfast all in one). More love, your loving Father Christmas There is audio content at this location that is not currently supported for your device. The caption for this content is displayed below. Christmas Eve 1934”
“I hope you will like the little things I have sent you. You seem to be most interested in Railways just now, so I am sending you mostly things of that sort. I send as much love as ever, in fact more. We have both, the old Polar Bear and I, enjoyed having so many nice letters from you and your pets. If you think we have not read them you are wrong; but if you find that not many of the things you asked for have come, and not perhaps quite as many as sometimes, remember that this Christmas all over the world there are a terrible number of poor and starving people. I (and also my Green Brother) have had to do some collecting of food and clothes, and toys too, for the children whose fathers and mothers and friends cannot give them anything, sometimes not even dinner. I know yours won’t forget you. So, my dears, I hope you will be happy this Christmas and not quarrel, and will have some good games with your Railway all together. Don’t forget old Father Christmas, when you light your tree.”
Christmas cake recipe
Ingredients for Christmas cake
250 grams currants
240 grams sultana
200 grams mixed berries
240 grams raisins
120 grams mixed peel
180 grams chopped cherries
300 grams plain white cake flour
pinch salt
2.5 ml mixed spice
2.5 ml cinnamon
300 grams softened butter
300 grams sticky brown sugar
30 ml lemon zest
6 eggs, lightly beaten
45 ml brandy
Method for Christmas cake
Preheat the oven to 140 degrees Celsius. Double line the cake tin with thick baking paper.
Beat the sugar and butter in an electric mixer. Add the lemon zest. Add the eggs, beating in one at a time.
In a separate bowl mix the dried fruit, spices, salt cherries and flour. Add the egg mixture and mix well. Lastly, pour in the brandy and combine.
Scoop the mixture into the baking tin and level with the back of a spoon. Wrap a layer of tin foil around the base of the baking tin and place in the oven. Bake for +- 3 hours.
Last year’s Christmas cakes had a roses theme:
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About Robbie Cheadle
South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/
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This post is sponsored by the My Backyard Friends Kid’s Book Series and WordCrafter Press.
The My Backyard Friends kid’s book series is inspired by the birds and animals that visit the author Kaye Lynne Booth’s mountain home. Beautiful illustrations by children’s author, poet, and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, bring the unique voices of the animal characters to life.
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I was not aware of this Tolkien book. It sounds wonderful. Thanks for the great review. Enjoy your trip to Japan!
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Thank you, Darlene. I discovered this book recently and it was delightful 😁
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I just listened to it as an audio book and loved it. Thanks for the recommendation.
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💜
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a lovely pre Christmas post, Robbie, and I love seeing all those lovely roses!
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Thank you, those roses take a whole week to make. I did one colour at a time in three layers. Each layer has to dry be for you do the next layer.
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Definitely a labour of love, Robbie. And worth every minute! 🌸🌼
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🤗💛
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Obviously, Tolkien almost never disappoints. And your creations and their photos, Robbie — wow!!!
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Hi Dave, Tolkien certainly knew how to entertain readers. Christmas is a good time to share cake art.
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Wow and wow on your creations Robbie.
Lovely post for the season.🧑🎄
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Hi Maggie, thank you. Roses are my favourite flowers to make from fondant.
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Hi Robbie they are amazing!
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🌹
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Lovely review of what sounds like a dear book! Your Christmas cake recipe is tempting.
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Hi Annette, this is a love recipe if you like fruit cake. Thanks for visiting.
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I hadn’t heard of these letters. Tolkien retired to Bournemouth, his wife loved being by the sea, but he missed the intellectual stimulation of his friends apparently.
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Hi Janet, I did not know that. He died while still writing so was very passionate.
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Apparently he couldn’t stand ‘hippies’ later in his life when Lord of the Rings had a new wave of popularity and they were seeking him out in Oxford. So he sought a quite life elsewhere.
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I understand and it made me smile. Here in Japan you can’t go to a sauna, spa or swimming pool if you have tattoos.
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There would be a lot of people from this country who would not be able to have a sauna if they ever went to Japan!
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Yes, there are many complaints. I admire the Japanese fit keeping to their values
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I really need to put Letters From Father Christmas on my list to read next Christmas. It does sound wonderful. Your decorating is beautiful Robbie.
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Hi Carla, this is a delightful book 🎅🏻
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Merry Christmas! Wishing everyone a season filled with joy, love, and laughter. May your days be merry and bright, and may the spirit of Christmas bring warmth to your heart. Have yourself a merry little Christmas, surrounded by happiness and the ones you cherish the most. 🎄✨
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I thought I had read all of Tolkien’s writings. This book sounds very special and I am very happy to know about it.
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Lindt chocolate balls are soooo good – which is why I can’t keep them in the house, lol.
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And exactly why I used them for these wreaths.
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Oh my, I have not read these letters, and I must. Thank you, Robbie. Your decorations are marvelous!
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Hi Jennie, these letters are typical Tolkien. I’m delighted you like the cakes 💕
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😀
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Hello, Robbie and all.
I’ve decided to read this on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, since I’ll be on my own.
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A good idea. It is very heart warming.
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I think it will be just what I need.
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A beautiful post and review for the season, Robbie. Your cake is amazing! 💗
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Thank you, Lauren 🩵🌈
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I don’t know this book, but it sounds utterly delightful.
Your cakes are always special, I love the roses. I don’t know if I could ruin the cake by eating it?
Lovely post, thank you, Robbie!
Thank you Kaye Lynne!
🎄🕊🤍🎄
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Hi Resa, this book is typical Tolkien so if you like his writing, you will enjoy this. Roses are my favourite flowers to make 🌹
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… and you make them beautifully! 🌹🕊🎄🤍🌹
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What a delightful post!
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I enjoyed Tolkien’s book too, and those cakes look amazing – especially the one with Lindt balls. 🙂
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Yes, that cake was in demand 😀
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[…] and Robbie’s holiday posts: “Undawntech: An A.I. Yuletide Carol” and “Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle – Letters From Father Christmas, by J.R.R. Tolkien and a rec…“. Both are delightful, and just the thing to put you in a holiday […]
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