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Good Intentions
Glee the Christmas Goblin follows a group of mischievous goblins who set out to save Christmas after Santa’s elves hide the children’s presents, discovering the joy of giving along the way. What draws you to write children’s literature?
Jones: Children’s stories are often where our earliest ideas about courage, kindness, and identity begin. Before children can explain those values, they can already recognize them in the characters they love.
Olivo: We wanted to create a story that encourages positive behavior without using threats, shame, or fear. Glee is mischievous, imperfect, and still learning, which makes his growth more meaningful. Children do not need perfect heroes. They need heroes who show them that making a mistake does not define you, but what you choose to do next can.
The elves hide the presents because they’re tired of watching children receive gifts. What inspired this unusual twist on the traditional Christmas story?
Olivo: We began with a question: What if the people responsible for giving Christmas presents became convinced that children had forgotten how to give? That allowed us to reverse the traditional roles. The elves, usually seen as Christmas heroes, create the problem because their disappointment leads them to make the wrong choice. Meanwhile, the goblins, who are expected to take and cause trouble, become the unlikely characters capable of putting things right. That reversal reflects something we deeply believe: people are more complex than the labels placed on them. Good intentions can still lead to poor decisions, and someone with an imperfect past can choose to do something extraordinary. In our story, Christmas is not saved by the characters who appear to be the best. It is saved by those willing to change.
How did you develop the personalities and relationships among Glee and the other goblins?
Jones: We approached the goblins as a group of imperfect friends rather than as a collection of moral examples. They have different instincts, fears, strengths, and definitions of what it means to do the right thing. Those differences naturally create humor and conflict, but they also make the group stronger. Glee became the emotional center because he is caught between the goblin he has always been and the person he is discovering he can become. His friends challenge that transformation in different ways. Some encourage him, some question him, and others would be perfectly happy returning to ordinary goblin mischief. Their relationships reflect a lesson we wanted to explore honestly: change rarely happens in isolation. The people around us can resist our growth, complicate it, or help make it possible. Friendship does not require everyone to be the same. It asks them to keep choosing one another while they learn how to become better.
If Glee could return for another adventure, what kind of Christmas or holiday trouble might he find himself in?
Olivo: Glee would probably learn the right lesson and then apply it in the most spectacularly wrong way. Perhaps he decides that if giving brings joy, the answer is to give everyone everything they could possibly want.
Jones: Soon, the workshop is empty, the sleigh is dangerously overloaded, and Christmas has become complete chaos. Glee would then have to discover that generosity is not measured by how much we give, but by how carefully we understand what another person truly needs. That feels like the heart of any future Glee adventure: a well-intentioned mistake, plenty of goblin-sized chaos, and a deeper lesson hidden somewhere inside the trouble.
Author Links: Facebook | Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Glee the Christmas Goblin
Glee the Christmas Goblin, by Emily Jones and Fernando Olivo, gives the familiar Christmas Eve rescue story a playful twist. When Santa’s elves hide the presents because they’re tired of watching children receive gifts, Santa turns to Glee and his fellow goblins for help. The goblins initially eye the toys as treasure for themselves, but reading about the children on the Nice List changes their thinking. It’s an easy-to-follow setup with enough mischief to make this children’s book feel lively from the start.
The story’s real appeal is Glee’s change of heart. Generosity becomes something he experiences, and the other goblins make that discovery alongside him. Their delight in building toys, fulfilling wishes, and traveling with Santa gives the message a cheerful sense of momentum. Young readers can see how doing something kind creates its own kind of happiness, while the goblins’ impulsive personalities keep the lesson lighthearted.
The rhyming text is simple and direct, with short passages that should work well when read aloud. Santa’s worried reindeer, the rebellious elves, and the arrival of whole hordes of goblins give the plot an entertaining storybook bustle. The language places the theme front and center, particularly in the closing idea that taking fills pockets while giving fills hearts. That’s a memorable way to sum up the book’s view of generosity.
Rodrigo Magella’s illustrations make this picture book bright, busy, and warmly comic. Saturated reds, greens, and blues create a strong Christmas atmosphere, while the characters’ enormous shining eyes and exaggerated expressions make every emotion immediately clear. Fun background details, including scattered presents, toy-making goblins, cookie jars, and reindeer wearing name collars, reward a closer look. The parchment-style text panels also keep the rhymes readable without separating them from the action, giving the whole book the feel of an animated holiday special.
Guided By Grace
It’s Christmas Tonight: Santa’s Visit follows a curious young girl who, in the stillness of a snowy evening, has a delightful encounter with Santa Claus himself and finds out the true meaning of the holiday. What was the inspiration for your story?
In a way, that’s a difficult question because inspiration just is. It comes from God. I wanted to write a Christmas verse and began playing with it. I remembered my own childhood when I was sitting by the window, looking at the dark garden with old trees covered in snow, and hoping for something amazing to happen.
And then, when I was working on the poem, I simply started writing and came up with some rhymes. And then, when the story reached Santa’s reply to the girl’s question, I had a feeling that I was writing it down while someone was dictating. Looking back at it, it was an experience guided by grace.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Chloé Nyíri?
Chloé is a very talented artist. She does something very few book illustrators do these days – draws and paints by hand on paper, with real watercolors. Her technique is beautiful and her art is a true reflection of her soul. Chloé is a lovely person. Also, she has a little daughter who is her inspiration, and she can truly relate to a child’s curiosity on a Christmas Eve.
Working with Chloé was a breeze. I simply shared the poem and told her to draw and paint as if it were her own. In the end, there were only one or two tiny revisions. The artworks were perfect.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
If we talk about the fun part, it was the bit where the girl is humming a tune she made up about Santa flying to the moon. That reminded me of myself and of my children who make up silly songs all the time.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
Chloé and I are now working on a children’s story about a Border Collie dog who liked playing handball with his best friends – three boys. They play every day but then the boys grow up and move out.
Another project we’re working on together is a book about pregnancy and motherhood. So, hopefully, we’ll soon have plenty to share with our readers even though we don’t have a release date planned yet!
Author Links: Eliza’s Website | Chloé’s Website | Book Review
Santa, with his twinkling eyes and hearty laughter, sits down with the girl in her warm living room, sharing a magical revelation about the essence of Christmas, illuminating the profound significance of this holiday.
Beautifully illustrated by a traditional watercolor artist from Hungary, Chloé Nyíri, this picture book makes the perfect Christmas gift.
It’s Christmas Tonight: Santa’s Visit
It’s Christmas Tonight is a heartwarming and enchanting picture book that invites readers into a magical Christmas Eve. The story follows a curious young girl who, in the stillness of a snowy evening, has a delightful encounter with Santa Claus himself. She bravely asks the question every child has wondered: “Santa, what makes Christmas truly unique?” As they sit together in the cozy warmth of her home, Santa shares a heartfelt revelation about the true meaning of the holiday, adding a special layer of wonder to this timeless tradition.
One of the things I loved most about this book is the way it combines the magic of Christmas with a deeper message. The rhyming narrative flows beautifully, making it an enjoyable read-aloud experience for both kids and parents. Santa’s response to the girl’s question doesn’t focus on presents or decorations, but rather on the joy of togetherness and the spirit of giving, which gives the story a meaningful and wholesome touch. It’s a reminder that Christmas is about more than just the material side of things, and that’s a message that resonates deeply. The illustrations by Chloé Nyíri are absolutely stunning and add so much charm to the story. The traditional watercolor dotillism style creates a cozy, dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly complements the gentle snow and the warmth of the girl’s home. Each page feels like a piece of art, with soft colors and intricate details that bring the magic of the season to life. The illustrations not only capture the spirit of Christmas but also evoke the wonder and excitement that children feel during the holiday season.
The story is simple yet profound, with a message that will touch the hearts of readers both young and old. The combination of rhythmic storytelling and beautiful artwork makes It’s Christmas Tonight a truly special book. It’s the perfect addition to any family’s holiday tradition, whether you’re reading it by the fire on Christmas Eve or gifting it to a loved one. I’d recommend it for families with young children, or anyone looking to recapture the magic of Christmas through a story that emphasizes love, joy, and the beauty of togetherness.
Pages: 42 | ASIN: B0CLM3VPRP
The Christmas Lesson: Unwrapping Love and Family
In The Christmas Lesson: Unwrapping Love and Family, author Dedrick Moone weaves a delightful narrative around Lamar, a young boy brimming with curiosity and a penchant for playful mischief. Set against the backdrop of the festive Christmas season, this children’s picture book captures the essence of a child’s excitement and eagerness to uncover hidden holiday gifts. The story takes a meaningful turn when Lamar’s grandmother observes his quest and decides to impart the true essence of the holiday.
Moone’s tale is beautifully complemented by vivid illustrations, making it an engaging read for young audiences. The book’s charm lies in its ability to resonate with the childlike wonder surrounding Christmas. The narrative is further enriched by Moone’s skillful depiction of the holiday atmosphere in Lamar’s home, from the cheerful Christmas tunes to the eye-catching decorations and the enticing aroma of freshly baked cookies. The character of Lamar’s grandmother is particularly noteworthy. She embodies wisdom and gently guides Lamar, teaching him a valuable lesson about the significance of love and family during the festive season. This aspect of the story provides a heartwarming portrayal of intergenerational bonding and the passing down of important values.
The Christmas Lesson stands out as an ideal read for young children, especially during the holiday season. It not only entertains but also educates, subtly instilling the true spirit of Christmas—focusing on love, togetherness, and the joy of giving. This book is a wonderful tool for parents and educators to engage children in a meaningful conversation about the deeper aspects of holiday celebrations.
Pages: 27 | ASIN : B0CNL2B9SF
