About the Author
B. F. Parajon has been a toy designer and artist for over twenty-five years. As a child, he experienced the holiday season by watching classic animated Christmas stories such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
A father of four, he witnessed his own children experience the wonder and magic of the Christmas season and watched as his kids enjoyed those very same classic Christmas stories that he had watched as a child. In over a quarter century, he noticed, not a single new classic Christmas story had succeeded in capturing the imagination of children the way those classics did...and the newest of those stories was over 50 years old! Without a new, fresh Christmas story, he feared, kids would eventually grow tired of the same old stories year after year and lose interest altogether...and part of the specialness of the Christmas season would be lost to future generations!
With Elphland–The Story of Santa’s Elves, the author set out to rediscover that literary magic, not by creating an entirely new tale, but by completing a story that had never been completely told...the story of the Elphland Elves and how they came to be Santa’s North Pole helpers.
A father of four, he witnessed his own children experience the wonder and magic of the Christmas season and watched as his kids enjoyed those very same classic Christmas stories that he had watched as a child. In over a quarter century, he noticed, not a single new classic Christmas story had succeeded in capturing the imagination of children the way those classics did...and the newest of those stories was over 50 years old! Without a new, fresh Christmas story, he feared, kids would eventually grow tired of the same old stories year after year and lose interest altogether...and part of the specialness of the Christmas season would be lost to future generations!
With Elphland–The Story of Santa’s Elves, the author set out to rediscover that literary magic, not by creating an entirely new tale, but by completing a story that had never been completely told...the story of the Elphland Elves and how they came to be Santa’s North Pole helpers.
5 Questions with Elphland's Author
For starters, why elves?
Because the Christmas Story is incomplete without them! Everyone knows Rudolph and Santa's other reindeer. Most adults can still name all of them. And who doesn't remember how Frosty the Snowman comes to life? But can you tell me why Santa's Elves toil all year long building toys? What's in it for them? What's so special about the North Pole? What are their names? I just found it odd that everyone knows about the Elves, but nobody actually knows the Elves or their story. I set out to "complete" the Christmas story...to tie up all the loose ends. You'll even learn a few things about Santa and Mrs. Claus that will surprise you!
What age group do you think this book is most appropriate for?
At what age did you first believe in Santa Claus? Obviously, I don't expect a 3-year-old to understand every nuance of the story. But any child that age loves to be read to and can understand the basic principals of right and wrong, fear and security, sadness and joy. The message of Elphland is real. And what kids will take away from learning of the Elves' plight will serve them well in life.
Were you always big on Christmas? Or what inspired you to write about the tradition of gift giving?
I can't remember a time when I didn't know who was really putting the toys beneath the Christmas tree in our home. But for me, there was still a magical feeling around the holiday season. It's that same magical feeling I still get now. It's the one time of year when you're thinking of others rather than yourself, whether you're consciously aware of it or not. Whether you're shopping for a gift for someone you love, or for a needy family whose name you drew at random. The entire process is so rewarding.
What's the best Christmas gift you've ever received?
As a child, it had to have been an artist's easel set fully stocked with dozens of jars of finger paints. I can still recall the sweet smell of the paint to this day! As an adult, without a doubt, it was the group portrait that my four children gave my wife and me several years ago when they were in their early teens. It wasn't necessarily the best portrait they've ever sat for. But it was the first time, and the only time since in fact, that they collectively...without any financial help or prodding from either me or their mother...conceived an idea, scheduled the appointment, arranged transportation, split the cost and presented us with their portrait. That gift meant more to me than they could ever imagine.
What kinds of lessons or morals does the Elphland story teach?
That love (in Elphland's case, in the form of gift-giving), can conquer hate and prejudice. The Elves were feared, mistrusted, hated and persecuted because they didn't look like everyone else. Later they learn that by giving of themselves and expecting nothing in return they are able to overcome ignorance and evil and become one of the most special and beloved people in the world.
Because the Christmas Story is incomplete without them! Everyone knows Rudolph and Santa's other reindeer. Most adults can still name all of them. And who doesn't remember how Frosty the Snowman comes to life? But can you tell me why Santa's Elves toil all year long building toys? What's in it for them? What's so special about the North Pole? What are their names? I just found it odd that everyone knows about the Elves, but nobody actually knows the Elves or their story. I set out to "complete" the Christmas story...to tie up all the loose ends. You'll even learn a few things about Santa and Mrs. Claus that will surprise you!
What age group do you think this book is most appropriate for?
At what age did you first believe in Santa Claus? Obviously, I don't expect a 3-year-old to understand every nuance of the story. But any child that age loves to be read to and can understand the basic principals of right and wrong, fear and security, sadness and joy. The message of Elphland is real. And what kids will take away from learning of the Elves' plight will serve them well in life.
Were you always big on Christmas? Or what inspired you to write about the tradition of gift giving?
I can't remember a time when I didn't know who was really putting the toys beneath the Christmas tree in our home. But for me, there was still a magical feeling around the holiday season. It's that same magical feeling I still get now. It's the one time of year when you're thinking of others rather than yourself, whether you're consciously aware of it or not. Whether you're shopping for a gift for someone you love, or for a needy family whose name you drew at random. The entire process is so rewarding.
What's the best Christmas gift you've ever received?
As a child, it had to have been an artist's easel set fully stocked with dozens of jars of finger paints. I can still recall the sweet smell of the paint to this day! As an adult, without a doubt, it was the group portrait that my four children gave my wife and me several years ago when they were in their early teens. It wasn't necessarily the best portrait they've ever sat for. But it was the first time, and the only time since in fact, that they collectively...without any financial help or prodding from either me or their mother...conceived an idea, scheduled the appointment, arranged transportation, split the cost and presented us with their portrait. That gift meant more to me than they could ever imagine.
What kinds of lessons or morals does the Elphland story teach?
That love (in Elphland's case, in the form of gift-giving), can conquer hate and prejudice. The Elves were feared, mistrusted, hated and persecuted because they didn't look like everyone else. Later they learn that by giving of themselves and expecting nothing in return they are able to overcome ignorance and evil and become one of the most special and beloved people in the world.