Customer Reviews

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I started reading this book to my now-seven year-old daughter two years ago. Clueless about the plot, I read on and on; by the end we were both sniffling away the tears. Jonathan Toomey has since become de rigeur holiday reading in our family. I think we like it so much not least because it seamlessly combines the religious message of Christmas with a very down-to-earth story about love, loss, and love - again. Also, the illustrations are pretty extraordinary. My only suggestion: The author and illustrator should immediately publish a dozen books like it!

I picked up this book while browsing in the children's section of my favorite book store. After reading several pages, I had to shut the book and march up to the checkout, wiping my eyes a bit. I waited until I was at home to finish the book, so if I howled out loud, I wouldn't embarress myself. The true meaning of Christmas shines through this book, with a love story on the side, and some gentle humor. My children relate to the young hero in the book, and the illustrations are lovely. I now give this book as a great Christmas gift! You'll enjoy it.

THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TWOMEY is a simple and heartwarming story. The plot is simple enough. Jonathan is lonely and still mourning the loss of his wife and child. The pain of this loss makes it difficult for Jonathan to open up to others. Though many respect his talent as a wood carver, he is mistakenly judged as a miserable and mean spirited person. His life begins to change when a local widow orders a new manger scene and requests that her son watch Jonathan at work since the child hopes to be a woodcarver one day. The boys simple goodness as well as the magic of the Christmas story begin to have an effect on Jonathan and he is eventually able to accept the love that the mother and her son wish to offer him. The transformation is gradual and therefore rings as authentic.

Ms. Wojciechowski tells a beautiful story. She weaves her words in a masterful way that will certainly engage a childs imagination. An as is the case in many stories labeled for children, the book holds universal truths that will touch an adult heart as well.

THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY is a charming book about the nature of patience and grace. Jonathan Toomey is a very sad and gloomy man. His wife and child died very young and he has never gotten over his grief. Children call him Mr. Gloomy, for they fail to see the beauty beneath. One day a young widow and her son show up, asking Toomey to make a nativity scence for them, replacing one they lost when they recently moved to town. Mr. Toomey agrees. His life is forever changed by the act.

The book is beautifully illustrated and has become a modern Christmas classic.

Tender story, exquisitely illustrated. I recommend this book in hardcover because it is classic and definitely a "keeper". Jonathan is a somber man who is touched by deep tragedy. He lost his interest in life until a young widow and her son ease their way into his heart. Very touching story. Children are enthralled with both the story and the illustrations.

Jonathan Toomey is a sad and lonely man, living alone in the little village after his wife and little baby child died. Nobody talks to him, and he wants nobody. But then, one day a widow and her seven years old son come to see him, asking if he can make them a manger with all the traditional Christmas figures. The little boy, Thomas, loves to watch Jonathan when he works, and Thomas' mother brings small gifts in her very silent way, while Jonathan is working. In a beautiful told story Jonathan Toomey is helped by Thomas and his mother to look at his grief and by that he is helped through it.
Perfect for anybody who has lost somebody, and also perfect for anybody else as a Christmas story.
I am very happy to have this book, with the beautiful illustrations of P.J.Lynch in my growing collection of Christmas books.

Britt Arnhild Lindland

I'm a writer/editor that is always on the lookout for great books for my three kids (7, 11, 14). I don't even remember where I found this one, but it's my ALL TIME favorite Christmas story. It's got enough religion to keep the Christians happy, but the real message here is the miracle of the wonderful connections we can make with each other. I haven't met anyone who doesn't love this book. Do your family a favor and BUY IT NOW! It will become a tradition in your house, but be warned: you won't get through it without puddling up, and that, my friends, is a good thing. It really is. Merry Christmas to you all...

I am an artist/author. I also teach art at the high school level and I usually pick up books that are strong in art to show my students and to study from myself. I am deeply impressed with the quality of this book. The compostions of the art layouts and word arrangements are outstanding. My sincere compliments to both the author and artist. I would love to hear back from them. Thank you

I'm a woodcarver and stumbled across a reference to this book in a woodcarving magazine a couple of months ago. So of course I immediately ordered the book from Amazon.com. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was a lovely story with beautifully rendered illustrations. My woodcarving magazine reported that a movie is being made about from this book and Tom Berenger will play the role of the woodcarver and a Joely Richardson? will play the mother. Shane Raven, a wonderful woodcarver from England carved the actual set used in the movie and also served as the woodcarvers hands in the close-ups. Lets hope the movie people have enough good sense to stick to the book!

This is a warm your heart book for all ages. I've read it to kids of five and middle school ages to thirteen. The characters crawl into your heart where you'll want to keep them loved by you and each other. The cd that comes with some editions is an added plus for classroom use. The illustrations get ooohs and ahhs from old and young alike. They draw you into the time and place immediately and evoke an ambience of a classic winter's tale. We eagerly await more touch our heart stories from Wojciechowski and Lynch!