The Key to Christmas

Robert Hedges Rhedges@senseindy.org 3664000188570

ACTION ADVENTURE CHILDREN'S OTHER MYSTERY FAMILY

1960s & '70s

Robert Ross

TaleFlick Top Pick!

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Submision Type

book

Logline

A young boy named Toby is perplexed with the question: How does Santa get into houses on Christmas Eve? Luckily! He stumbles upon a shape-shifting artifact while playing football with his friends. His quest to find out more about his discovery ends up taking him on an adventure of a lifetime.

Genre

Action,Adventure,Children's,Other,Mystery,Family

Short Summary

One snowy Christmas Eve night, Santa's magical shape-shifting key that opens all the houses falls through a hole in his pocket. Toby makes it his mission to find out more about this mysterious object by asking relatives, classmates, and his teacher only to find out that it's Santa's key.

Setting

In the Midwest during the holiday season of the late 1970s

Based on a True Story

No

Plot - Premise

Quest

Plot - Other Elements

Happy Ending

Mature Audience Themes

Information not completed

Main Character Details

Name: Toby

Age: 12

Gender: Male

Role: Skeptic

Key Traits: Adventurous,Selfless,Leader,Heroic,Desperate,Confident

Additional Character Details

Name: Lila

Age: 9

Gender: Female

Role: Emotional

Key Traits: Adventurous,Confident,Outspoken,Sarcastic

Additional Character Details

Name: Lila

Age: 9

Gender: Female

Role: sidekick

Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Outspoken,Funny

Additional Character Details

Name: Lila

Age: 9

Gender: Female

Role: sidekick

Key Traits: Adventurous,Lone Wolf,Underdog,Aggressive,Charming

About The Author

Robert Ross is the book's author, "The Key to Christmas." He lives near Indianapolis with his wife and two kids, where he loves to write and teach. Robert enjoys visiting schools and talking to kids about the book and encouraging students to use their talents in the book writing world. He enjoys writing different genres of books. He is in the process of finishing his 3rd book, "Rude Awakenings." A book of short stories like the old "Twilight Zone," T.V. series. Hedges.a@sbcglobal.net

Target Audiences

Age: 13-17,7-12,35-54,55+,18-34

Target Gender: Universal,Female Leaning

Group Specific

Information not completed

Publishing Details

Status: Yes: self-published

Publisher: Robert Ross

Year Published: 2018

Hard Copy Available

Yes

ISBN

9780692115787

Genre

COMEDY, SUSPENSE, FANTASY

Brief

A young boy discovers a magic key. It is literally the "Key To Christmas" - the special key Santa uses to enter homes and apartments. The boy must discover the key's true meaning and get it back to Santa in time for Christmas.

Overall Rating

GOOD

Point of View

THIRD PERSON

Narrative Elements

Authors Writing Style: GOOD

Characterization: EXCELLENT

Commerciality: EXCELLENT

Franchise Potential: GOOD

Pace: EXCELLENT

Premise: EXCELLENT

Structure: GOOD

Theme: EXCELLENT

Accuracy of Book Profile

Yes, the profile depicts the book properly.

Draw of Story

The idea of the magic key lured me in.

Possible Drawbacks

No - it was a very easy and fast read.

Use of Special Effects

THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

Primary Hook of Story

Can a young boy return the key to Santa's Christmas magic in time to save Christmas?

Fanbase Potential

Yes - if done right this has the potential to become a holiday favorite.

Awards Potential

Not that kind of film

Envisioned Budget

MEDIUM BUDGET

Similar Films/TV Series

THE SANTA CLAUSE, THE FAMILY GUY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

What’s New About the Story

The idea that Santa needs a key to enter people's homes is a fresh take on the mythology of Christmas eve. Maybe it could use a "useful villain" to give the story more suspense

Lead Characters

They are young and innocent.

Uniqueness of Story

I think this really could have the potential to be a holiday staple.

Possible Formats

Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, Film - Indie, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series

Analyst Recommendation

RECOMMEND

Justification

With a tiny bit more action and maybe a minor villain, this could be a holiday classic. It also hold potential as a once a year recurring network holiday special.