"The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch" is a children's fantasy book written by Tom Fletcher. It is a sequel to the popular book "The Christmasaurus" and continues the delightful adventures of the Christmasaurus and his friends. In this enchanting story, we are transported to the North Pole, where it's almost time for Christmas. The Christmasaurus, a lovable and magical dinosaur, is preparing for another festive celebration. However, their holiday cheer is threatened by the arrival of the Winter Witch, who seeks to spoil Christmas for everyone. The Winter Witch is a formidable and mysterious character who has the power to freeze anything in her path.
That’s when William noticed something else a little fishy, a little out of the ordinary, a little. magical. Through the kitchen window, a flock of pigeons that had just taken flight were floating absolutely still in mid-air, as if they’d been stunned by a freeze-ray that had glued them to the air itself.
And, if Christmas with your dad really is as bad as you think, then it will be over in the blink of an eye, it always is, and then we can start looking forward to next year when we ll all be together. It also touches on consumerism and corporations, and how their money-making ploys stop children from believing in Santa and all the festive traditions that children should believe in, because they can just get their toys from big shops instead.
The Winter Witch is a formidable and mysterious character who has the power to freeze anything in her path. As she makes her way to the North Pole, she spreads chaos and coldness, turning everything she touches into ice. It is up to the Christmasaurus and his companions to find a way to stop her and save Christmas.
The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch by Tom Fletcher – Book Review
Now, William is about to be swept back to the North Pole, and meet the icy, mysterious and magical Winter Witch, whose power to control time allows Santa to travel all around the world on Christmas Eve.
And when William learns that the fate of Christmas hangs in the balance, he and the Christmasaurus must risk everything to save it…
Title: The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch
Author: Tom Fletcher
Publisher: Puffin
Date: October 3, 2019
Genre: MG Fantasy
A couple of years ago, I read The Christmasaurus and completely adored it. I read it in a couple of days, gave it 5 stars, and vowed to read it every year at Christmas because it made me feel so festive and jolly. I don’t often review children’s or MG books, but these are an exception!
(Then when I went to YALC last year, Tom Fletcher signed the book and wrote “Merry Christmas”, so that made it even more special! This year I completely forgot it was signed, so it was like a nice surprise when I opened the book.)
When Tom announced the second book would be coming out, I was so excited. I love to read a good festive book at Christmastime, and what’s better than a fun story of a boy traveling to the North Pole to see his new best friend, a dinosaur called the Christmasaurus?!
The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch
In this second installment in the Christmasaurus series (I hope there will be more than two!), we’re reunited with William Trundle and his family, which has grown since the first book: there’s now the addition of his dad’s new girlfriend and her daughter, and they’re all living together in the same wonky house that I loved so much from the first book.
Bringing two more people into the Trundle family added a great dynamic to the story, especially when you remember the conflict between the characters in book one. (I won’t tell you anything more in case you haven’t read it yet!)
The story begins with a prologue, just like the first book, but with a twist. The Christmasaurus began by going way into the past to tell us where the Christmasuaurus came from, but The Winter Witch flies us way into the future to give us a glimpse at what’s to come later on in the story: a world with no Christmas!
The whole world seems to have been taken over by a corporate company who have sucked Christmas from the world entirely. It really sets the story up well and makes you want to race through the book to find out how the world got so bleak.
There was one prominent thing I noticed in this book compared to the previous one: at times, it feels so much darker. The story takes some dramatic turns and the adventure the Trundles go on feels so much more complex and dangerous than their previous journey to the North Pole. This time, they’re faced with issues that, as we got a glimpse of in the prologue, could end Christmas forever…
It also touches on consumerism and corporations, and how their money-making ploys stop children from believing in Santa and all the festive traditions that children should believe in, because they can just get their toys from big shops instead. It’s a clever way to make sure that children reading this book hold on to their belief of Santa and all things magical.
There’s also a time-travel element in this book, and we see William go back in time to try and save Christmas. There’s a poignant moment where he sees his mum, who died in a crash when William was a baby (the same crash that made William have to use a wheelchair), and he has a brief conversation with her before having to leave her behind again.
Why you and/or your child might like this book
You’ll love The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch if…
- You like fun, fantastical stories set at Christmastime
- You want to read something that will make you feel festive and cheerful
- You love a quick read that you can fly through in a few days
- You have a child whose belief in Santa is wavering, and you want a story that will encourage them to hold onto their belief
- You like stories with dinosaurs, Christmas, elves, magic Christmas beans, and with great character development and complex story arcs (even in a children’s book)
TL;DR
The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch is a perfect follow-up to a magical first book, and explores slightly deeper themes while keeping its innocence and festive cheer. Perfect for adults and children alike, it’s a heartwarming story that is guaranteed to make you feel the Christmas spirit!
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‘Dad’s place it is!’ Brenda sighed.
Through a series of whimsical and heartwarming events, the Christmasaurus and his friends embark on a thrilling journey to defeat the Winter Witch. Along the way, they encounter new magical creatures, face daring challenges, and discover the power of friendship and bravery. Tom Fletcher's storytelling is filled with magic and wonder, captivating readers of all ages. The book is filled with delightful characters, from the brave Christmasaurus to the mischievous elves and other mythical creatures. Each character brings their own unique qualities and contributes to the memorable and exciting plotline. "The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch" is not just a story about Christmas; it also explores themes of hope, acceptance, and the importance of appreciating the magic of the season. It reminds us of the joy and wonder that can be found in the simplest of things and encourages readers to embrace the spirit of Christmas. Overall, "The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch" is a heartwarming and magical tale that will captivate readers and fill them with Christmas cheer. With its beautifully written prose and enchanting illustrations, it is a perfect book to read during the holiday season. Whether you are a child or an adult, this delightful story will transport you to a world of imagination and leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling..
Reviews for "The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch: An adventure like no other"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I was really disappointed with "The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch". While I loved the first book in this series, this one just felt rushed and lacking in depth. The plot felt disjointed and confusing at times, and I struggled to connect with the characters. The introduction of the Winter Witch felt forced and unnecessary, adding an additional layer of confusion to an already convoluted story. Overall, I found this sequel to be a letdown and not nearly as magical as the first book.
2. Mark - 3/5 stars
As a fan of "The Christmasaurus", I was excited to delve back into the world Tom Fletcher had created. However, "The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch" failed to live up to my expectations. The story felt repetitive and lacked the same charm and creativity that made the first book so enjoyable. The Winter Witch character, while interesting in theory, felt underdeveloped and didn't add much to the plot. Additionally, the pacing felt off, with some parts dragging while others felt rushed. Overall, while it wasn't a terrible book, it didn't capture the same magic as its predecessor.
3. Emma - 2/5 stars
I found "The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch" to be a disappointing sequel. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear focus. It seemed to try and tackle too many ideas and themes without fully exploring any of them. The character development was weak, and the new characters introduced didn't add much to the narrative. There were also several plot holes and inconsistencies that left me feeling frustrated. I wanted to love this book as much as the first one, but sadly, it fell short of my expectations.
4. Ben - 2/5 stars
"The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch" left me feeling underwhelmed. The writing style, which I loved in the first book, felt forced and contrived in this sequel. The humor felt forced, and the emotional moments fell flat. The plot was predictable and lacked the same sense of wonder that made the first book so delightful. The Winter Witch, while an interesting concept, was poorly executed and felt out of place in the story. Overall, I was disappointed with this sequel and would recommend sticking to the original "Christmasaurus".