Ages 5-9. It's Christmas Eve in the coastal village of Old Bridgeport, and Sam Thatcher is hard at work in his toy shop, hoping to finish the last of his work before dark. Things get complicated, though, when the dour mayor arrives and condemns the rickety structure. What a grouch! And talk about bad timing! Sam is too depressed even to build a fire, and that turns out to be lucky--because his next visitor arrives down the chimney. It's his old friend Father Christmas, who needs the toy maker's help delivering presents. Sam doesn't have a sleigh or reindeer, but he does have a boat, and before you can say "ship of dreams," he's soaring high above the village, a surrogate Santa. Thanks to Sam, even the mayor gets a present (hey, it's Christmas!). Morrissey fans will welcome another gathering of his lavishly light-filled, photographically realistic illustrations, though the mayors among us may think the pictures a trifle sentimental. As for the story, it's humbug, of course.
Michael CartCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
About the Author
Award-winning illustrator Dean Morrissey began his painting career in the 1970s. He always had story ideas for his paintings, and in 1990 he began writing and illustrating the highly successful children's book
Ship of Dreams, a recipient of
The New York Times, Best Illustrated Book Award in 1994. Infusing the pictures with texture, color, light, and weight, Dean Morrissey creates a compelling atmosphere for his stories.
Dean Morrissey lives on the South Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and son.
