One of my favorite Christmas books is
Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the village, but he is a lonely and bitter. "Christmas is pish posh." A widow woman and her son seek his skills in recreating a lost nativity set. Over the next few weeks, a heart-warming relationship forms between the them.
Little Thomas persists in explaining how the pieces should look. "My sheep were happy...They knew they were with the Baby Jesus, so they were happy." The cow needs to show pride, the angel appears important, and Mary must look at her child with love, while the newborn reaches up to her. Jonathan is forced to face his hidden fears and memories to carve each piece with its special characteristics.
The illustrations of P.J. Lynch are spectacular
and show a subtle romance in themselves.
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