Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King: The Guardians
#1 of 5 in The Guardians Series
What’s inside...
Before SANTA was SANTA, he was North, Nicholas St. North—a daredevil swordsman whose prowess with double scimitars was legendary. Like any swashbuckling young warrior, North seeks treasure and adventure, leading him to the fiercely guarded village of Santoff Claussen, said to be home to the greatest treasure in all the East, and to an even greater wizard, Ombric Shalazar. But when North arrives, legends of riches have given way to terrors of epic proportions! North must decide whether to seek his fortune…or save the village. When our rebellious hero gets sucked into the chaos (literally), the fight becomes very personal. The Nightmare King and his evil Fearlings are ruling the night, owning the shadows, and sending waves of fear through all of Santoff Clausen. For North, this is a battle worth fighting...and, he's not alone. There are five other Guardians out there. He only has to find them in time. Discover the origins of St. Nick and follow along as the Guardians start their quest to rid the world of nightmares in the first Guardians chapter book from Academy Award winner William Joyce that inspired the beloved film, The Rise of the Guardians.
Character compass
Nicholas St. North
Katherine
Ombric Shalazar
Pitch (Nightmare King)
Discussion points
What qualities do you admire most about Nicholas St. North and why?
How do the characters in the story work together to overcome challenges? Can you think of a time when teamwork helped you?
What are some differences between the dreams and nightmares in the book? How do they affect the characters?
If you could have any magical power like the characters, what would it be and how would you use it to help others?
Can you think of a time when you had to be brave like Nicholas? What did you learn from that experience?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions to encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story. This promotes critical thinking and personal connection to the book's themes.
Relate the book's situations to real-life scenarios your child might face, such as working together with friends or facing fears, to help them draw parallels and learn from the characters' experiences.
Discuss the importance of courage and kindness as demonstrated by Nicholas St. North, reinforcing these values in a real-world context.
Celebrate your child's responses, whether they're imaginative ideas about magical powers or personal experiences of bravery, to boost their confidence in expressing themselves.
Encourage your child to think about what happens next after the book ends, or how they might change the story, to foster creative thinking and storytelling skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: Nicholas St. North exemplifies bravery as he transitions from a bandit to a hero, standing up against the Nightmare King.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of facing challenges boldly and not letting fear deter them from doing what is right.
Example Lesson: The power of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, Nicholas collaborates with other characters, learning that teamwork often leads to greater success than working alone.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to value collaboration and seek collective efforts in solving problems, whether in school projects or in sports.
Example Lesson: The significance of transformation and growth
Explanation: Nicholas' journey from a notorious bandit to a beloved hero is a powerful portrayal of personal growth and redemption.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to believe in their ability to change and grow positively, regardless of past behaviors.
Example Lesson: Creativity as a tool for problem-solving
Explanation: The characters often use imaginative strategies to defeat the villains, underscoring creativity as a critical skill.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to think creatively when faced with challenges and emphasizes that sometimes unconventional solutions are the most effective.
Example Lesson: Responsibility to protect others
Explanation: Nicholas takes on the responsibility to protect the dreams of children from the Nightmare King, highlighting the theme of guardianship.
Real-World Application: Teaches children about the importance of looking out for others and the impact of their actions on the wellbeing of those around them.