The Marvelous Toy [Hardcover]

Tom Paxton (Author), Steve Cox (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2009 | Age Level: 3 and up

When I was just a wee little lad / Full of health and joy, / My father homeward came one night / And gave to me a toy----"" For nearly half a century, ""The Marvelous Toy""composed by the legendary singer/songwriter Tom Paxtonhas enchanted children and adults alike. A simple tale about a mysterious, magical, and mystical toy that a father gives to his sonand that eventually gets passed down to the next generationit celebrates a childs sense of wonder. The witty, evocative lyrics spark the imagination. No surprise, then, that the song has been recorded by countless major artists, from Peter, Paul, and Mary to the Chad Mitchell Trio to John Denver, and won legions of fans through the years. Paxtons marvelous song has finally become a stunning picture bookoversized, wonderfully packaged, and complete with a CD offering three songs sung by Tom himself plus a music-only version of ""The Marvelous Toy"" to sing along with. Featuring incredible and wildly imaginative art by Steve Cox, illustrator of the award-winning Pigs Might Fly, the story is now as amazing to look at as it always has been to listen to. Parents, grandparents, friends, and family will remember this classic from their own youthand joyfully share it with their own children. And just like the boy in the song whose ""eyes nearly popped right out of his head,"" young readers will give 'squeals of glee"" at the magic of the music, the artwork, and this one-of-kind tale.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—In this picture-book version of a popular song, Paxton's lyrics are accompanied by vibrant, modern illustrations to tell the story of a boy who receives a gift from his father. No one knows quite what it is, but that does not diminish its importance. As the song goes, "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." The boy grows up and hands the toy down to his son, and it is admired by the pets and other toys as well. The mysterious toy never comes into full view, although a few of its bright lights can always be seen. Illustrations depict a magical haze of greens and blues, while capturing the excitement of the action with splashes of red and yellow. It is clear that the boy owns plenty of toys, but not one can compare to this amazing gadget. The accompanying CD is an enjoyable bonus, providing Paxton's version of the song and an instrumental take. Two additional songs from Paxton are also included. While the story is nostalgic, the energized artwork filled with stardust increases the kid appeal.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO END

About the Author

TOM PAXTON is one of the world s best-known and loved singer/songwriters. In 2009, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy (The Grammy Awards). His newest CD, Comedians & Angels, was also nominated for a Grammy and his first six albums have been rereleased. Paxton s influence on folk music has been inestimable: his songs have been recorded by several major artists including Pete Seeger; Peter, Paul, and Mary; Joan Baez; Arlo Guthrie; and Johnny Cash. His best-known tunes include The Last Thing on My Mind, Ramblin' Boy, Bottle of Wine, and Goin' to the Zoo. Many address social concerns such as political injustice, inequality, and ecology, but others celebrate the bonds of family and friendship, and the joys of childhood. He has been richly honored: the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award, four Grammy nominations, and the Martin Guitar Company has even named a guitar after him. He is a true musical treasure. STEVE COX began his career working in design and character merchandising, eventually handling all the licensing and product design for Count Duckula, one of the most popular animation series on Thames TV in England. However, he decided to return to art, and has since illustrated hundreds of children s books, including complex pop-ups. Cox s first picture book was Pigs Might Fly for which he won a Red House Children s Book Award. His other books include The Diary of a Killer Cat, Short and Sweet: The Life and Times of Lollipop Munchkin, and Ants in My Pants as well as many others.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 26 pages
• Publisher: Imagine/Peter Yarrow Books (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982293925
• ISBN-13: 978-0982293928
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 10.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #317,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetry, art and music, all three, aimed at the hearts of the young and the once young, October 19, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Marvelous Toy (Hardcover)

"The Marvelous Toy" is poetry, art and music, all three, aimed at the hearts of the young and the once young. Most adults over the age of 21 will be familiar with the popular folk song about a boy whose father brought him the marvelous toy that went "zip when it moved, bop! when it stopped, and whirr! when it stood still." Tom Paxton's beloved song has now been cunningly illustrated and brought to life again as a wonderful children's book and CD, containing three other songs as well ("Let the Wild Wind Blow, All the Children," and an instrumental arrangement of "The Marvelous Toy" in addition to the vocal rendition of the same song, all performed by Tom Paxton). "The Marvelous Toy," book, art, and CD, should appeal to children preschool age and older, and will always have a special place in the hearts of the young at heart, no matter what their age.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great picture book for kids, October 8, 2009

By 

Mark Delillo - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Marvelous Toy (Hardcover)

I'm a grandfather and I remember this great song from Tom Paxton. It was so much fun to sing, and now it is great to read, and to listen to the CD and sing along with my granddaughters. The art is bright, colorful and fits really well with the book so that the kids, who are 2 & 3, really get into looking at it when we read it to them. I would give this to any kid who likes to read, or have a book read to them. That magical toy you never quite see is so much fun for the kids.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for library storytime, December 5, 2009

By 

Brenda Baxter (Reno, NV) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Marvelous Toy (Hardcover)

As a youth librarian, I am constntly on the lookout for great storytime books. This one, a remake of an older version that I have used for years, is a marvelous upgrade. The vibrant pictures, along with the excellent song lyrics, make this the idea storytime offering. I have used it twice since purchasing and it has been a great hit each time.