For centuries, the frozen North Pole has been wrapped in mystery and wonder. Parents tell their children stories of Santa Claus, of reindeer that fly through snowy skies, and of elves who help Father Christmas prepare for the busiest night of the year. Yet, despite the tales we pass down from one generation to the next, no one has ever truly known how the story began. Where did Santa Claus come from? What first sparked the Christmas Spirit? And who were the magical companions who stood beside him as he grew into the most beloved figure in festive history?
At long last, readers in the UK can discover the answers. The Rise of Nicholas the Noble is a brand-new children’s fantasy novel for ages 8–12, written by Chanda Bell, co-creator of The Elf on the Shelf®. This book does more than simply tell a tale: it unveils the hidden origins of Father Christmas within the enchanted world of the Santaverse™, combining adventure, myth, and the enduring message of hope at the heart of the season.
“Honestly, the answers are varied and
fantastical, if I do say so myself. But I will
answer them for you just the same, and then
you can decide for yourself what to believe.
I, for one, BELIEVE.“
—Fisbee, Narrator
Every epic story needs a voice to carry it forward, and in The Rise of Nicholas the Noble, that voice belongs to Fisbee. Fisbee is Santa’s very first reporting Scout Elf, one of the most trusted helpers to come from the North Pole. Fisbee bridges the tradition children treasure today with the larger lore of the Santaverse.
Through Fisbee’s eyes, readers learn that Santa’s journey did not begin with reindeer, sleigh bells, or even Christmas magic. Instead, it started with a boy, shipwrecked, vulnerable, and lost in the frozen Arctic wilderness. Rescued by magical creatures thought only to exist in legend, Nicholas of Lycia begins a transformation that will eventually turn him into Father Christmas himself. This is the tale of how a boy became a hero, and how that hero became the world’s most enduring legend.
The Boy Who Became Santa Claus
Nicholas of Lycia was born nearly two thousand years ago, in the year 270 AD. The novel begins with a storm, an unforgiving force of nature that leaves Nicholas shipwrecked, clinging to survival on the icy edges of the Arctic. For children who may be learning about history in school, this timeline provides a fascinating entry point: Santa Claus’s beginnings are not set in a modern world of fairy lights, but in the distant past, where myth and history entwine.
Stranded in this strange new land, Nicholas quickly discovers that his arrival is not mere chance. He encounters magical beings, some kind and wise, others cunning, and a few intent on darkness. As Nicholas learns more about his new surroundings, he begins to unravel a prophecy. This ancient revelation speaks of a noble soul, one destined to protect the Spirit of Christmas itself.
Yet Nicholas is uncertain. Can he truly be the one foretold? His doubts deepen when his loyal dog, Barry, goes missing. Nicholas’s desperate search for Barry draws him further into One True North, a mysterious world of magical creatures and looming dangers.
A World of Wonder… and Danger
The Rise of Nicholas the Noble doesn’t present the North Pole as the sugary, candy-cane wonderland often pictured in children’s Christmas stories. Instead, it paints a far more complex and captivating picture: One True North.
This is a world of beauty and danger in equal measure. Towering mountains shimmer with ice, their peaks glistening under pale Arctic light. Beneath the surface lie underground caves filled with ancient secrets. Across the land roam enchanted creatures, some fierce and terrifying, others noble and protective. For children who enjoy rich fantasy settings like The Chronicles of Narnia or Percy Jackson, the world-building in this book will feel immersive and thrilling.
“It was an unforgiving landscape—
nothing but white snow and ice as far as the eye could see,
and behind them nothing but the black waves
of a freezing and empty ocean.”
One True North mirrors Nicholas’s own inner journey. Just as the frozen landscapes are harsh and unforgiving, so too are the challenges Nicholas must overcome, loss, fear, and the heavy weight of responsibility. Yet within this stark wilderness lies beauty and wonder, symbols of the hope and courage Nicholas must embrace if he is to fulfill his destiny.
The Origins of Christmas Spirit
“Listen closely, for this is the very heart of every elf:
We protect the Spirit of Christmas. And the fate of the world hangs
within that. If the Spirit of Christmas fails, we are all lost. Everything is lost.
To us, that spirit—that love—is everything good in the world.
And as we studied the Lumistella Stone, with all its strengths and weaknesses,
we realized the importance of the task we had been chosen for.”
At the centre of this story lies a powerful relic: the Lumistella Stone. Long before Nicholas arrived, a shard of the great Lumistella Star, what many now call the Christmas Star, fell to earth in a blaze of light, landing in what would become the Kingdom of the One True North. From that moment on, the world was forever changed.
The Lumistella Stone became the wellspring of Christmas Spirit. It is this magic that empowers Santa’s Scout Elves to fly back and forth each night. It grants Noorah her ability to pause time, enabling Santa to deliver gifts to children across the globe in a single night. It is also the force that stirs kindness, hope, and generosity in the hearts of people everywhere.
But such extraordinary power cannot exist without drawing attention. Dark forces seek the stone, hoping to extinguish its light and end the Spirit of Christmas forever. In The Rise of Nicholas the Noble, readers witness the battle to protect this celestial spark as the Luminicents, elves sworn to guard the light, stand against an army of ice giants and those who would spread darkness. It is this struggle that calls Nicholas into action and begins his transformation from boy to legend.
Why Kids Will Love it (and Parents Will Too!)
At its heart, The Rise of Nicholas the Noble is much more than just a Christmas adventure. It’s a book that speaks to children and adults alike, weaving together themes of bravery, friendship, sacrifice, and belief.
For children aged 8–12, it is an exciting, page-turning fantasy filled with magical creatures, quests, and a relatable young hero. Many children in the UK, in this age group are beginning to read longer, more complex books independently, and this novel offers both challenge and delight.
For parents, teachers, and grandparents, the book reinforces timeless values: that true strength lies not in power but in courage, that generosity is worth defending, and that belief, whether in magic, in goodness, or in each other, is what keeps the Spirit of Christmas alive.
Families who already cherish The Elf on the Shelf® tradition will find this novel a natural extension of their holiday celebrations. Just as the Scout Elves encourage joy, imagination, and good behaviour in the run-up to Christmas, The Rise of Nicholas the Noble invites readers into the broader Santaverse™, deepening the magic of the season with an epic backstory that explains why Santa Claus, his elves, and his companions are so important.