The Three Wishes: A Christmas Story by Alan Snow

Here is the text from the first page:

"Long, long ago in the very north a group of people lived with the reindeer. In summer they would move as family groups, sleeping in tents and travelling on sledges drawn by their deer. The adults would hunt and forage, while the children would look after the deer, and play."

In winter families retire to lodges which they fill with the provisions needed to survive the dark winter months. As you have read, it is the job of the children to look after the animals. On this particular winter day, when the sun did not rise at all, the young boy discovers the gate to the animal corral is open. The boy heads off into the deep snow to look for the lost animals and finds himself in a mysterious cave. At the back of the cave he steps into another world where he is met by three strange creatures:

"The first was the being who seemed to be made from wood. The second was part fish, and the last was bird-like."

Entering this magical place now means the boy can never return home. The boy is so distressed but he is offered three wishes. He asks for freedom; happiness; and time.

In this strange place the boy adapts to his new life and he learns about nature and the way the seasons work and rest, but he longs to know about his family. On his first visit home he cannot wake the family but he leaves his sister a small carved deer made long ago by his mother. In his second year the boy learns about the underwater world. He gathers some pearls. When he visits his family at the end of the year he again cannot wake them but he leaves the pearls in shells beside their beds. In the third year the boy learns about the creatures of the air - birds and insects and how seeds are carried on the wind. On this visit at the end of the third year he takes four beautiful feathers as gifts for his family. This time he is given a sleigh with feathers tied to the reindeer's harness. The boy rides the sleigh through the air. As he searches for his parents he leaves small gifts at each lodge. When he finally finds his parents' lodge they are asleep as previously but this time he finds they have left him gifts. There is a meal, a warm fire and a set of new clothes. Yes it is a red suit with a fur lined hood.

Are you curious about the origins of our Christmas traditions (non religious) and the origins of the Santa Claus story.  For example:

How did the reindeer get his red nose?  Take a look at The Robin and the Reindeer

The Three Wishes looks at a way of explaining how Santa can deliver gifts to everyone across the globe on just one night. And why his is coat red?

Many reviewers have praised this book. I really appreciate the illustrations and the idea behind the story but I did find the idea of the boy (who represents Santa) being trapped in the underworld a little disturbing. 

In this trailer from the publisher you can see some art from The Three Wishes.  Kirkus award this story a "lump of coal."  In contrast Library Girl and Book Boy say this book is "quiet, thoughtful and magical." I do think this is a book I would add to a library collection as a different way to explore the origins of Santa with children aged 8+. This book might also make you curious to know more about the people of the far north which Kirkus identify as the Sami people.

Alan Snow is also the author of this book first published in 2005. He is clearly fascinated by Santa Claus.

Here is the cover of the UK edition of this book: