The classic Christmas tale in an elegant new vertical trim size, with completely new notes from the author and the illustrator and a CD narrated...
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reviews
Dec 11, 2008
Becky
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Annette told me to read this several times, and yes, you'd have to be pretty hard-hearted not to find it touching. I think I teared up a little at the story of the woodcarver who begins to overcome the loss of his wife and child when asked to carve a Nativity scene by a widow and her young son. It is a believable tale of a Scrooge-like character who is eventually thawed, though this story centers (somewhat lightly) around the idea of Jesus rather than personal demons. Definitely a longer text th
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Jun 12, 2011
Renee
rated it: 
“Christmas is pish-posh,” grumbles Jonathan Toomey. An expression which also sums up his view of life. He’s the best woodcarver in the valley, but all the villagers notice is that he keeps to himself. And he never smiles.
One day in early winter, the Widow McDowell comes to town. Unaware of his reputation, she calls on Jonathan with a request. Would he carve her a new crèche in time for Christmas? The catch: she wants her young son Thomas to observe the process. This simple consignment More...
One day in early winter, the Widow McDowell comes to town. Unaware of his reputation, she calls on Jonathan with a request. Would he carve her a new crèche in time for Christmas? The catch: she wants her young son Thomas to observe the process. This simple consignment More...
Dec 28, 2009
Kathryn
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This is a touching, sweet story about loss, love and healing and is, to my mind, quite an excellent one for the holidays. Some might find it a bit too "sentimental" but I felt that the fine storytelling and warm but realistic illustrations save it from being the least bit cutesy or unbelievable. Woodcarver Jonathan "Gloomy" Toomey lost his wife and baby son to illness some years ago and can find no joy in life until one day a window and her young son come to ask Mr Toomey i
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Dec 17, 2010
Rachel
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A gruff and lonely woodcarver comes to a strange town and sets up his business. Though some say his work is the best in the valley, he never warms up to the people. The children call him Mr. Gloomy. At night he sits alone, staring into the fire.
Not long before Christmas a young widow and her son ask him to carve a manger scene. He agrees, though to him “Christmas is pish-posh”. He soon realizes that he might have gotten more than he anticipated, though, when young Thomas asks to More...
Not long before Christmas a young widow and her son ask him to carve a manger scene. He agrees, though to him “Christmas is pish-posh”. He soon realizes that he might have gotten more than he anticipated, though, when young Thomas asks to More...
Dec 19, 2010
Mary
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We started a tradition of letting the kids pick one wrapped Christmas book per night in December and reading it to them. Matthew bought a bunch of new books and it's been fun to read them together. This one takes the cake, hands down. Both the story and the illustrations are top-notch. The author's objective was to write a story that captures the power of the hope of Christmas illuminating despondency, and the illustrator spent a lot of time researching the period to get all the details righ
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Jun 08, 2008
Erin
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This book has incredible artwork as well as a beautiful story about the redeeming power of love and the magic of Christmas. It's a wonderful children's story that more adults should check out. <3
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Dec 21, 2009
booklady
rated it:
Reread this after watching the film of the same name. Fortunately Bill Clark's film version sticks to same basic story, only filling out the lives of the widow McDowell and Thomas and presenting the story more from their perspective than from Mr. Toomey's. This doesn't detract from the essence of the tale.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a heart-warming, holiday vignette about being helped through helping. I can still recall with fondness the first time I read it to m More...
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a heart-warming, holiday vignette about being helped through helping. I can still recall with fondness the first time I read it to m More...
Oct 02, 2011
Audrey
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Every Christmas I gather all my Christmas picture books and put them on my coffee table. There are 4 huge stacks of them. I put my favorites on top so I am sure to read them during this very busy season. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is always front and center. I'm embarrassed to admit I have never made it all the way through without tearing up. It is truly touching. The fantastic illustrations are top-notch as well. The CHRISTmas spirit changes hearts is the message I take away each
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Dec 08, 2010
Abigail
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Known as "Mr. Gloomy" in his small New England village, woodcarver Jonathan Toomey was a man who had no time for conversation, and no tolerance for the games of children. Enveloped in sorrow, at the death of his wife and son some years before, he had withdrawn from the world, devoting himself to work, and avoiding all human contact. And then one wintry day, the Widow McDowell and her young son, Thomas, knocked at his door, and commissioned a wooden crèche for Christmas. Slowly working
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Dec 06, 2009
Kirei
rated it: 
This is a nice story about a woodcarver who is grumpy because his wife and child died some time earlier. A pretty widow lady and her son show up at his door and ask him to carve a manger scene. Of course, Mr. Toomey becomes a nice guy again and at the end of the story goes to church with the widow lady and her son.
I sort of think this is the sort of story that adults will appreciate more than most children...... unless your kid is into stories that sort of feel like made for tv mo
I sort of think this is the sort of story that adults will appreciate more than most children...... unless your kid is into stories that sort of feel like made for tv mo
Jan 06, 2009
Tracy
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One of my favorite Christmas books! The story is precious, about a mother and son who ask a cranky old man named Jonathan Toomey to build a nativity scene for them. As they befriend him, they come to realize that there is a lot of love and compassion behind the crankiness. It opens your eyes to the lesson that everyone has a story and everyone deserves to be loved. The story is wonderful and the illustrations are divine.
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Jan 02, 2012
Marcelle
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I have loved this gorgeously illustrated story for many years and love to listen to my mom read it to me and my seven grown siblings by the twinkling light of our Christmas tree. I wondered if it would be too old for my kids this year, and I think it was because it's a long story and we only read it through a couple of times. It has all the elements of a great story and includes some of the magic and miracles of Christmas.
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Dec 07, 2010
Jen
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One of my most absolute favorite Christmas books of all time--beaten only by the account of the Savior's birth in Luke (and maybe The Grinch Who Stole Christmas). But this one gets me everytime. An absolutely beautiful message. You know how President Monson reads A Christmas Carol every December? My Christmas couldn't be complete without reading this.
Jan 09, 2012
richardson.joshua
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This was a sort book that I read over the holidays. It is sort of a tradition in our family to do so. This book is touching because it is about a man who has lost his wife and child, is not very happy, and is a woodcarver, who overcomes his depression when he is asked to carve a nativity scene. The pictures are absolutely exquisite as well.
Jun 17, 2010
Diane
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If I could only have one children's book to read at Christmas time, I would choose this one. I purchased it because of the beautiful artwork but was deeply touched by the story. It is about a bitter widower who's heart is slowly softened by a widow and her young son. A wonderful story to match the beautiful illustrations.
Dec 30, 2008
Alysia
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We got this book a few Christmases ago and it came with a CD so the kids like to listen and read along. The pictures are beautiful and the story is a simple, but sweet reminder of how good hearts can be found under rough exteriors for those who are willing to look deeper and show love and patience.
Oct 31, 2011
Amy
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Our Aunt Joye gave us this book with the recoding my James Earl Jones. What a rich and touching story of what the true Christmas spirit is. This is another one of my favorites and I am so getting in the holiday mood! I need this at this time to feel the true spirit of the holidays for this year!
Jan 08, 2009
Connie
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This might be my favorite Christmas story for children. The pictures are beautiful and the story shows the powerful transformation of hope and love. I had the privilege of reading it to grandchildren for the first time this season. May it happen again!
Dec 12, 2008
Cindi
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We read this book last year (2007) and this year. I believe we watched the movie last year as well.
An excellent and sweet Christmas story which not only encapsulates the Christmas story, but is a story of healing.
An excellent and sweet Christmas story which not only encapsulates the Christmas story, but is a story of healing.
Dec 09, 2009
Lisa
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Another of my very favorite Christmas books, the story of a carpenter who is able to heal his heart through carving a nativity for a widow and her son. Beautiful illustrations and and even more beautiful message.
Sep 16, 2011
K.Q. Webster
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A wonderful Christmas story for the whole family. I remember my mom reading this at least once a year when I was young and being sad for the angry man and wishing he would change his heart...he always did!
Dec 18, 2010
Kathleen
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One of my very favorite Christmas stories, first introduced to me by Barbara Jones. The illustrations are fantastic. It's written for school-age children but you don't have to have a child to enjoy it.
Jan 04, 2010
Deborah
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I have enjoyed this book every year during the Christmas season since my son was young. A wonderful story about a woodcutter who lost his wife and how a widow and her young son bring joy and love to his life.
Nov 26, 2011
Kay
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Love this book...there is actually a play/musical being done based on the book in Chicago this month for Christmas (Nov/Dec 2011) at the Provision Theatre...if you like this book, check out the play!
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Nov 24, 2008
Heatherterrybell
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Another wonderful Christmas story that everyone should read. It has a great message about love, forgiveness, and Jesus. A fast read with beautiful pictures and your kids will love it too!
Jan 01, 2012
Maddy
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If I could give this book A thousand stars, I would!
It's just so beautiful the way the author wrote it
and the illustrations are so gorgeous,
they take your breath clean away!
It's just so beautiful the way the author wrote it
and the illustrations are so gorgeous,
they take your breath clean away!
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Dec 03, 2009
Leslie
rated it:
I can still hear my dad's voice every time I read this book. It was one of our favorites in my home as a child. Now it is a favorite in my own home with my own children!
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Nov 26, 2011
Kay
rated it:
Love this book...there is actually a play/musical being done based on the book in Chicago this month for Christmas (Nov/Dec 2011) at the Provision Theatre...if you like this book, check out the play!
