Grandfather Christmas Series is Sure to Become a Holiday Book Tradition
With the holidays upon us, families will be delighted by the debut book from Michigan author Joe Guthrie, The Journey, the first in the Grandfather Christmas: The Secret Scrolls Collection from Mission Point Press in Traverse City.
The Journey explores the origins of Santa Claus, tracing his story back thousands of years before he became the beloved figure we know today. It begins with Saint Nicholas’s parents being told by the North Wind that they are destined to create something legendary but to do so, they must leave everything behind as they follow the Star of the North to an unknown destination. Everything, they realize with heavy hearts, means their teenage son Nicholas who would be left to fend for himself. In the years and challenges that follow, readers will discover the fascinating origins of Santa’s reindeer, the hardworking elves, the mystical North Pole, and cherished traditions that reveal the mysteries and wonders of Christmas.
Guthrie, the youngest of four children growing up on a Michigan farm, was inspired by the joy he experienced at Christmas.
“We grew our own food, pasteurized our milk, and raised our meat. I was driving farm equipment by the age of seven and summer workdays lasted twelve to fifteen hours,” he said. “We’d cut down our tree and decorate it with strung popcorn, icicle tinsel, big screw-in bulb tree lights, and our treetop angel. We all had our own special ornaments Mom bought each of us every year from birth until we turned eighteen; they mean so much now.”
While Christmas provided much joy to Guthrie as a child, it was becoming a father that truly led him to the truest meaning of the season.
“When my daughter Lillia was eight or so she started asking questions like ‘where did the reindeer and elves come from?’ and I didn’t have answers. About that time, she brought home a school project where she explained the meaning of Christmas. There wasn’t a single mention of gifts; instead she wrote about the importance of family, friends, giving, cheer, happiness, and love,” Guthrie said.
Her questions and that simple project led Guthrie to ponder why Santa is often referred to as Father Christmas, and if he was a Father, was there a Grandfather Christmas? He walked into his home office and emerged ten hours later with his first draft of the story of Grandfather Christmas.
“I read it to my daughter and she loved it. The following year she’d tell others that it was her ‘favorite Christmas story’ but it wasn’t finished yet. Her enthusiasm led me to pick it back up, finish it, and consider ways to expand the story to explain the celebrations and traditions we enjoy today, as well as their importance.”
With The Journey ready to become a favorite Christmas story for readers of all ages, Guthrie has developed additional books for the collection. “They go deeper into what took place before Santa came to be, when he was simply Nicholas, a young boy with his mother and father,” he said. “Books 1-3 tell the story of their journey, fifty-year separation, and travels through challenging conditions that led to early interpretations of present-day Christmas traditions. Books 4-6 go deeper into the origins of the elves and reindeer and the scrolls that live on so the story can be shared.”
Just sixteen years old, Shay Gall, illustrator for all books in The Secret Scrolls Collection, was a delightful discovery for Guthrie.
“A friend of mine heard me talk about needing an illustrator, ideally a watercolor artist, and suggested I meet Shay,” said Guthrie. “It was a perfect fit. He’s so open and easy to work with and his ability to capture my intent and put it onto paper is unbelievable. He’s an amazing young man. I can’t wait for readers to see his debut in Book 1, and his continued achievements as additional books are published.”
As the 2024 holidays quickly approach, Guthrie recalls December 2019, when he sat down and created his original draft, inspired by the power of the Christmas spirit. “The sparkle in Lillia’s eyes as she waited for Santa—a man she had never met yet who was so real, so special—the excitement of that magic was what I wanted to capture.”
About the author:
Joseph Guthrie has been deeply connected to the Christmas Spirit since childhood. His early experiences with the holiday inspired the stories in this collection. Now a devoted father, Joseph has witnessed the power of the Christmas Spirit within his own family and feels compelled to share it with the world.
About the illustrator:
Shay Gall is a gifted young artist from Northern Michigan. His artistic journey began early, influenced by his parents, who were both artists. His work involved meticulous study of the text and the secret scrolls, and he embraces the challenge of bringing these enchanting tales to life.
About the book:
Grandfather Christmas: The Journey, The Secret Scrolls Collection: Book 1 written by Joe Guthrie
32 pages; 8.5 x 11 inches; B/W; color illustrations; illustrated by Shay Gall
Juvenile Fiction/Christmas Books
ISBN: 978-1-961302-82-2
$22.95 (Hardcover)
For more information, to purchase copies of the book, or to arrange for signings and events, visit the author’s website: www.grandfatherchristmas.com.