British author Raymond Briggs has written two Christmas classics: The Snowman and Father Christmas. The latter of those novels, Father Christmas, was originally published in 1973 by a small publishing house called Hamish Hamilton. It is, according to the author and publisher, a modern reinterpretation of Santa Claus. In Briggs' version of the story, Santa Claus (called Father Christmas in the book) is a humble but flawed man who enjoys giving gifts to people but often struggles to do so. However, Father Christmas is a man of tremendous character and a man with quite a bit of heart and wit. The book chronicles 100 separate vignettes of what Father Christmas' life is like during Christmas, the night he gives presents to kids all across the world.
Briggs' reinterpretation of the Santa Claus story was based in part on his father, who also was a delivery man. Briggs' personal connection to the material was reflected in the book's quality. When it was released, the novel was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal. The group that awarded Father Christmas said in 2005 for the 50th anniversary of the medal that Briggs' book was one of the top ten works ever to be given the prize.
