Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Worth a million stars! July 6, 2008
S. Schofield
This is such a fabulous story!
It is about a man whose wife and baby died many years ago, but he has been unable to come to terms with his loss. He still works as a woodcarver, so, one December, a widow and her young son ask him to carve some Christmas figures for them.
I first heard this story as a little girl at school and, thinking about it, I can see similarities between this and another of my favourite stories; Goodnight Mister Tom, by Michelle Magorian.
As I have already said, this is a fabulous story about coming to terms with the loss of a loved one (which, believe me, is difficult), especially the part of the story when Mr Toomey is trying to carve the last two figures; Mary and baby Jesus. It is just so.................. magical, as, each time I read it (I try not to read it that often, so that when I do read it, it will still be as magical as it was last time), I am able to feel just how emotional the character is at that point in the story. I won't say anymore.
7 out of 9 children who expressed an opinion prefered it.... March 29, 2006
C. McGregor-Davidson (Hampshire, UK)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I have nine children. I bought this book for the oldest two - probably over ten years ago. It is a beautiful book, wonderfully illustrated, with a great Christmas story. I dislike sugary sentimentalism and one of the problems I have buying childrens books (particularly Xmas ones) is that the market is so over-loaded with 'sugar' that it's verging on a serious case of diabetes! This book is not sugary, nor even particularly sentimental. It tells a fine story, quietly and with dignity. Our copy is now so well thumbed I think I may have to buy another. It has been a favourite book of all our children (those able to give an opinion), and between them they cover a large range of tastes, opinions and ideas. I think it would be safe to say that pretty much any child that likes books will like this.
A moving, beautifully illustrated story October 17, 2002
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
This has been a family favourite in our house for nearly two years - and not just at Christmas time either. It's rare to find a children's book that deals with the serious matter of bereavement and this one gets it just right. No matter how often you are asked to read it, you will always be touched as Jonathan Toomey's lonely existence is gradually and convincingly transformed through his friendship with a little boy and his widowed mother.
The illustrations are quite beautiful and harmonise perfectly with the text.
Beautifully drawn and written, what more could you ask for? October 29, 2000
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Beautifully drawn and written, this moving tale tells the story of a widowed Mr Toomey. He lives for his work so when a single Mother asks him to make a wooden nativity scene, how can he resist? He doesn't realise that with this job brings a young child who shows him not only how to make his nativity scene more special but how to enjoy the Holiday season. A must read for all ages
This book made me cry September 8, 2000
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I read this to my children as a bedtime story and cried my way all the way through it.This story is so special that it speaks directly to the heart.It is tender and beautiful and the illustrations are exceptional.This is the best book i have read in years. Oh and my children loved it too!
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