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An adherent to the creed of the Unification Church might be sent over the moon with a visit from Sun Myung Moon and a Christian likewise should Jesus of Nazareth drop by and I suppose it goes without saying that if Father Christmas came to Toyland the ecstasy would be sheer. Santa is pretty well a God of the toys and as the book title infers — Noddy does have the Pleasure. Noddy wasn't manufactured by Santa or his helpers because as, as we know, he was brought into the world by an old wood-carver but Father Christmas is dear to every toy's heart and Noddy's is filled to overflowing.

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Little-Ears, who is Big-Ears' brother, used to live at Santa's castle where he packed toys. He was an excellent packer and could get literally thousands of Christmas gifts into Santa's big sack for delivery to children all round the world. Every year Father Christmas needs to appraise the toys and decide which ones he'll need for the Christmas stockings and seeing that a visit to Toyland is imminent he's decided to stay the night at his former packer's house which is reasonably handy to Noddy's territory. Toyland is buzzing with excitement and Big-Ears calls on Noddy to inform him of the news then over cocoa and biscuits he makes a suggestion that thrills his little friend. Noddy might be able to catch a close-up glimpse of Father Christmas because Big-Ears is invited to tea with Little-Ears on the night that Santa visits so why shouldn't Noddy drive him there?

What an exciting proposal!

Big-Ears orders himself a brand new suit with a cloak from Miss Thimble Doll who measures him up very carefully. Whiskers, who is Big-Ears' cat, will be given a new ribbon and perhaps a bow for her tail. Noddy gives his car a fresh coat of paint and a good polish and whilst he's doing that he breaks into a melody. Mrs. Tubby Bear comes out to listen because it's a tune all about the Most Important Person who's coming to visit the town and it's such a good song that Noddy has to sing it again for the Wobbly-Man, Miss Fluffy , Mr. Jumbo, Mr. Noah and Sally Skittle who also happen to come by. They love it and then Noddy has to sing it yet again because Big Ears arrives and he feels that Noddy should croon his little tune to Father Christmas. Could something like that ever happen?

Wednesday — The Day, arrives and the excitement is at fever pitch. The roadway is cleared. Big-Ears has on his new suit minus the cloak — that'll be donned in the evening. I wonder if it's the first time we've ever seen Big-Ears in different clothing because his new outfit is bright red. Very smart! Very chic! The crowds are lining the streets and they can hear jingling. Is it ... is it really ... yes it is ... it's the Man Himself — Father Christmas racing along in his sleigh drawn by four of his reindeer. I believe Santa has eight of them so we can call these ones by the first names that roll off the tongue — Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen. The policemen have their work cut out trying to hold back the crowds and everyone cheers the famous man as he passes by. Even Noddy's little car PARP-PARPS with excitement.

He's gone! Noddy sighs, "I like him. I do, do like him."

"You may get a peep at him tonight," says Big-Ears. Well, Noddy's already had a "peep" but now he may obtain the chance to get really close-up to Santa if he's lucky.

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That evening little Noddy sets off in his car to collect Big-Ears from his home in the woods. Strictly speaking, Big-Ears lives in Brownie Town so maybe the woods are in that vicinity. Noddy thinks his friend looks resplendent in his red suit and lovely cloak with its yellow edging. Whiskers has her ribbons although I can't see that she accompanies them to Little-Ears' house but it doesn't really matter. Apart from having a little trouble with his cloak snagging on things and billowing out in the wind, Big-Ears is safely delivered to his brother's spacious toad-stool house. Santa's already there and his reindeer are waiting patiently outside. Noddy learns that several of the villagers are arriving at 8.30pm to sing his song for Father Christmas and then Little-Ears opens the door and greets his two visitors and it can now be confirmed that Little-Ears' ears are not quite as large as Big-Ears' ears because Enid Blyton says so. Noddy is left outside to wait for the songsters to arrive and when they do everyone lines up to warble the latest song with the composer himself conducting. What a wonderful performance and at the end of it — guess who comes out to greet them? He's described as The Most Important Person and he smiles around at everyone with his twinkling eyes. O.M.G — it's Father Christmas himself right up close to Noddy ... greeting him and admiring his little car which is so clean and polished. What happens then is quite astonishing — Santa would like to travel more smoothly through Toyland because his sleigh is rather bumpy and what could be better than to be driven around by the local taxi-driver? Santa pats Noddy on the shoulder and goes back into Little-Ears' house whilst our little friend sits down suddenly feeling as if he's in a dream. Chapter Six arrives and gives us an account of what happens the next day on a trip to Bouncing Ball Village and Golliwog Town — the pictures tell it all. Santa and Noddy sleep the night at Humming-Top Village and there are visits to other towns and a big surprise as well because their last stop is at N. & B. Works. I'd heard of the Bavarian Motor Works but I hadn't come up against the former and it's amazing to see what toys are manufactured there — en masse!

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This wonderful episode in Noddy's life finishes with something which is very appropriate. Many of the Enid Blyton books have ended with a great big party and what better excuse is there than to hold one with Father Christmas as the guest of honour? Noddy proudly sits next to Santa who, when he makes a speech, heaps praise upon the little man who is so full of happiness that he trembles when asked to reciprocate. However, he's able to fall back on his immense repertoire of lilting lyrics and create a special song full of love for everyone but now we have to creep away and leave little Noddy with all his pleasant memories which have been immortalised in the book — Noddy Meets Father Christmas!

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I can't see an artist's name but as usual, the Enid Blyton Society website supplies the information — and any other details that might be required. This is Mary Brooks' second Noddy book — the first she illustrated was Noddy Gets into Trouble.

Santa's reindeer have at least a 200 year history and the four not mentioned are Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Rudolph's an outsider and doesn't really fit into the general theme.

Father Christmas is shown driving his sleigh through the village street which could well be a little bumpy and might justify his preference for automobile transport but it has to be remembered that the reindeer are able to shoot up into the sky and race through the air over the tallest buildings and mountains with Santa, sleigh and all in tow. Would that mode of transport be bumpier than a car?

As usual, Noddy creates at least one song and the example in this book is particularly glorified because it's the song that Father Christmas heard and liked very much so, for the time being at least, the Little Nodding Man must hold his place at the top of the list. Bom's a pretty dab hand when it comes to creating original songs although his efforts might be considered a little short and unimaginative but he can get them to rhyme most of the time