The Marvelous Toy [Library Binding]

Tom Paxton (Author), Elizabeth Sayles (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

A magical gift is handed down from a father to his son and is to be passed on through generations in that manner, but after the son receives it, he is forced to chase after it when the gift immediately whizzes, bops, and soars all over the house.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An imagination teaser that has beguiled families since it was introduced in 1961, folksinger Paxton's (Going to the Zoo) eponymous song makes an uneasy transition to the picture-book medium. The appeal of the lyrics lies largely in their inherent mystery?"It went ZIP when it moved/ And BOP when it stopped/ And WHIRR when it stood still./ I never knew just what it was/ And I guess I never will." Committing the song to print, therefore, and more specifically, to illustration, is somewhat akin to pinning down a butterfly in a display case, even if the image provided by the illustrator is of an unidentifiable thingamajig. Though the song lends itself to a read-aloud very nicely, and though Sayles's soft, warmly lit pastel illustrations certainly hint at the mystery (the toy scooting under a chair in one scene, only its tail visible, for instance), this visualized version takes a lot of the fun out of it. Musical notation is included on the endpapers. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K?Fans of Paxton's catchy tune about a mysterious and much-loved toy will appreciate this picture-book adaptation. For those unfamiliar with the song, the melody is included on the end pages. This will make the book accessible to a wider audience, as the text seems awkward when read aloud rather than sung. Brief verses describe the narrator's delight on receiving an unusual gift from his father and his pleasure years later in passing the toy along to his own son. Sayles's illustrations, in richly textured pastels, effectively evoke both past and present using details of dress and decoration. Most importantly, the artist creates a satisfyingly unique "marvelous toy" (shown in tantalizing glimpses and only seen in its entirety at the end of the book) that fits the description presented in the song, yet still retains an element of mystery. She also incorporates the refrain's energetic onomatopoeic terms ("Zip, Bob, Whirr") into several of her double-page spreads in a way that conveys both movement and magic. The combination of cozy charm and unpredictable whimsy is a perfect match for the playful text, ensuring that this illustrated version of a favorite children's song will be welcomed by those who enjoy sharing musical books with young listeners.?Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Library Binding
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688138802
• ISBN-13: 978-0688138806
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,053,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun . . . but must also buy the CD, December 24, 2000

By 

Robert Liewer (Mission Viejo, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Marvelous Toy (Library Binding)

Great Stuff ! ! !

Kindergarten kids love the CD that goes with it. You need to also buy the CD.

Teacher Power ! ! !