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The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

Book Synopsis

The spirit of Christmas heals a sorrowing woodcarver’s heart in this stunning 20th anniversary edition of a Kate Greenaway winning festive classic.

A stunning 20th anniversary edition of a Kate Greenaway winning Christmas classic, this is the poignant tale of Jonathan Toomey. Although Jonathan is the best woodcarver in the valley, he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request – a request which leads to a joyful miracle. This moving, lyrical tale which unfolds with mastery, humour and emotional force, has been widely hailed by critics and readers as a true Christmas classic, and is gloriously illustrated by the inimitable P.J. Lynch.

Our Review Panel says...

This classic Christmas story has won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal and has also been turned into a children’s movie. This book tells the story of Jonathan, a talented woodcarver who always looks alone and unhappy. Unbeknown to the nearby villagers, what lies beneath Jonathan’s cold exterior turns out to be a sorrowful story about his lost wife and child. One wintry day, a widow and her son come to Jonathan with a request that leads to a delightful resolution to the tale. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a stirring picture book with tremendously detailed illustrations and is suitable for use across the KS2 range.