Tag: Folk Tales

Krampus by Billy McLaughlin

Krampus
Author: Billy McLaughlin
Published: December 15, 2017
52 Pages

Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: November 29, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars

Short Story Description:

Krampus is a festive short that tells the story of two brothers, Kramp and Kris who have been placed on opposite sides of Christmas folklore. For one hundred years they’ve been separated. Now they must come together to save Christmas.

Jessica’s Review:

Today is Krampusnacht, also known as Krampus Night. According to folklore, on the evening of December 5th, Krampus tags along with St. Nicholas. He visits houses all night with his saintly pal. While St. Nick is on hand to put candy in the shoes of good kids and birch twigs in the shoes of the bad, Krampus’ particular specialty is punishing naughty children. Legend has it that throughout the Christmas season, misbehaved kids are beaten with birch branches or can disappear, stuffed into Krampus’ sack and hauled off to his lair to be tortured or eaten.

Billy McLaughlin’s take on Krampus is a bit different from the original folktale.  Instead of being evil, Kramp is innately good and comes to be with his brother Kris who has lost his faith in humanity. Kramp must show Kris that not all hope is lost with humanity in the form of a little boy and his Christmas wish. 

This is a pleasant little Christmas story that needs to be read by all! 

Read more about the actual Krampus folktale here.

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK