Customer Reviews

A Small Miracle

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I usually have no need to look at children's books (I'm single and child-free), but when I saw this in a bookstore last year, the more-artistic-than-usual illustration on the cover caught my eye. And I'm glad it did. Upon opening this book and "reading" it, I was blown away by the emotions conveyed in the illustrations. There is not a word in this book, but it says so much. The old woman's selfless act and the kindness she receives in return are uplifting and beautiful. It's a powerful story that left me a bit choked up, right there in the middle of the bookstore! I don't know much about children's books, but this HAS to be a classic. The story is fantastic and the illustrations are beautiful. This book is on a much higher level than those I remember from my childhood. I bought myself a copy and I know I will treasure it every holiday season from now on.

I have owned this book for two years and I look forward to bringing it out for each holiday season. I place it out on a table in the living room for everyone to read and cry at. It really expresses the true meaning of the "Giving Spirit." Five of my friends and family members will be lucky enough to recieve a copy this year! What more can I give during this season?

I bought this book for my 2 1/2 year old son. As I was reading it, I had to stop several times because it kept bringing me to tears. The book is so very moving. I'm buying another copy for my 43 year old YOUNGER sister! I know she'll just love it.

I was so happy to find a Christmas book that is really about
Christmas instead of toys, Christmas trees, and Santa Claus.
This book not only addresses Christmas but the real meaning
of Christmas as the old woman undoes the wrongs that have been
done by vandals. The fact that it is a wordless book makes it
possible for children of most ages to help make up the story
line too, which is a plus. Then they also can interpret the
Christmas story.

This book is nothing short of wonderful. It took a long time for me to find a copy after first hearing of the book. Finally I found a copy in my library. Each time I read it I find some new detail. It is very disarming. I wanted to buy a copy and was very glad to discover the British paperback version is available through Amazon.uk. The paperback version is the same size. Reading it will be an annual treat for me. I also learned plans are underway for making a 20 minute animated feature of this story for BBC this Christmas. What a treat that will be! Just hope Knopf prints again and the VHS is available through Amazon.

Anyone who has looked thru my precious book always gives it back to me with tears in their eyes.

What a heartwarming story -- a fairy tale that could almost come true; and you kind of wish it would!!

The illustrations in this book come alive with a powerful simplicity.

The artwork is the kind that leads your eye into all its multi-faceted (yet simply rendered) details, and each time I look at it, I am rewarded with more details that I had missed before.

I can almost hear the anticipatory almost-sacred hush on that village's cold, snowy, almost deserted streets on this very special, last day before Christmas.

A VERY special book!!

This book is a kind, simple book about a lady who is poor and plays her accordian on the streets for money. She sells her accordian and gets some cash, only to be robbed by a thief. She goes to the church and sees that the Nativity scene is scattered, and that the thief has taken the "Help The Needy" money. She gets it back, and falls in the snow. The Christmas scene help her by getting food, money, anda Christmas tree. She wakes up in surprise and has the best night ever.

This wonderful, wordless Christmas story should be in print every year for the holidays. I received it as a gift and was very moved by the timeless beauty of the story. The world needs to share more stories like this one.

Adults...don't even THINK of the "I'm buying it for the kids" routine. Buy it for yourself and ENJOY it! This is an absolutely wonderful book. Yeah, share it with the kids, but enjoy it for yourself. Don't hide behind adulthood. The book is a wordless story about giving and about true character..doing good when you think no one else is looking. Destined to be a Christmas classic and hopefully, like one of his other books "The Angel And The Soldier Boy", a video as well.

I am delighted to see that this book is back in print. When I first discovered it, I wanted to buy a copy for everyone I knew. Unfortunately for me at that time, it was no longer available!

This book is a fresh delight for me every year when I bring it out of storage and "read" it to my youngest children. Its beautiful artwork and powerful message bring tears to my eyes without fail. I love to hesitate at the crucial page, and ask my littlest "who will help her? who will help the poor old lady?" and see what answers he/she comes up with (I have a different "littlest" every year, with 11 children). Not a single one has ever been able to guess the delightful truth, but every child has laughed with delight when the page is turned.

Buy this book. Savor it. Buy it for others. It deserves to be better known than it is!