It's a Wonderful Life for Kids [Hardcover]

Jimmy Hawkins (Author), Douglas B. Jones (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Based on the classic 1946 movie, this story follows Tommy Bailey through childhood as he and the familiar townspeople of Bedford Falls embody all the values of the film. Doug Jones’s illustrations “nicely convey the tale’s old-fashioned wholesomeness.” —School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4–Written to honor the 60th anniversary of the film by the actor who played Tommy Bailey, this original story places his character in the limelight while merely rehashing the plot of the movie. As a young boy, he, like his father George, intervenes in a few situations to improve the course of people's lives. Then, at 11, Tommy misplaces the money that his sixth-grade class collected for the library fund and, feeling desperate, runs to the town bridge, wishing he'd never been born. Magically, a novice angel appears to show him how many lives he has touched, and the rest is predictable. The film's charitable themes are adequately transposed to the book, and the illustrations nicely convey the tale's old-fashioned wholesomeness. However, with a film as beloved and widely available as this one, it is hard to imagine why anyone would need this rather superfluous book. Gathering up the family and watching the holiday classic has sufficed for the last 60 years; it might be just as good a choice now.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library
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About the Author

Jimmy Hawkins played the part of Tommy Bailey in Frank Capra’s film It’s a Wonderful Life. He lives in Los Angeles.

Douglas B. Jones lives in Nelson, British Columbia.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (September 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525477675
• ISBN-13: 978-0525477679
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #673,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A holiday book that bridges the gap, and will be passed down from generation to generation, November 14, 2006

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: It's a Wonderful Life for Kids (Hardcover)

Tommy Bailey has always been a regular do-gooder. Since he was a young boy, he has intervened in many people's lives - not just his family's - and helped to create a wonderful, loving environment for the people surrounding him. From playing matchmaker for two senior citizens in his cozy town, to stopping a fire before it began. Now, at age 11, Tommy is still determined to do things to help those around him, and is currently working to raise money for the library fund. However, when Tommy becomes distracted at school, and misplaces the envelope of money that his sixth-grade class has collected, he realizes his mistake, and feels desperate. He just knows that everyone will accuse him of stealing the money, or be angry with him for forgetting to turn it in to the Principal's office like he was supposed to. So he does something drastic. Turning on his heel, Tommy quickly races to the town bridge, and begins wishing for something terrible...to have never been born. The fact that it is so close to the holidays, and that Tommy has a reputation for being a caring young boy, an angel who has yet to receive his wings magically appears, and takes Tommy on a journey through the past to show him just how many lives he has touched over the years; then shows him the devastation that would have ensued had he not intervened so many times. Tommy is then given the chance to make good on his mistake, and return to the family who loves him so dearly.

As someone who has yet to see the film IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, I truly had no idea of what to expect when I picked up Jimmy Hawkins' holiday effort. The only thing that was clear was the fact that the illustrations by Douglas B. Jones (which are quite reminiscent of something you would find in a newspaper, or copy of THE NEW YORKER) were spectacular. However, upon turning the pages, I was pleasantly surprised with a magical, holiday tale that brought the true meaning of Christmas to life, while embracing a piece of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL, by presenting Tommy with a flashback of his life. The tale is tightly woven, and features marvelously illustrated pictures that coincide with each word. Young readers will adore the colorful pages; while even parents and grandparents will appreciate the message of family that is conveyed on each and every page. A holiday book that bridges the gap, and will be passed down from generation to generation.

Erika Sorocco

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YESTERDAY'S VALUES, November 5, 2006

By 

Georgia Durante "READER" (N. Hollywood, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: It's a Wonderful Life for Kids (Hardcover)

THERE SHOULD BE MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS. IT BRINGS BACK THE VALUES OF YESTERDAY WHICH WE HAVE LOST SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY. THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH A WONDERFUL MESSAGE THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. THE PRINTING COST HAVE TO BE MUCH MORE THAN THE SALE PRICE! I BOUGHT THIS AS A GIFT FOR MY GRANDCHILD BUT AFTER SEEING THE BOOK I ORDERED ANOTHER SO I COULD KEEP ONE IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS WILL SURELY BE A COLLECTORS ITEM IN THE FUTURE.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for Any Age, December 5, 2006

By 

J. J. Sacher (Chicago) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: It's a Wonderful Life for Kids (Hardcover)

I picked this book up expecting it to be a children's version of the classic movie by Frank Capra, but what I found was a magicall storyn for any age. Truly an inspiration. Everyone should pick this book up.