When I was a kid, almost every Christmas, we would listen to the audiobook of The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey while reading along in the book. This little book came to be one of my favorites because it was a deep story with a happy ending. The kind that makes you want to be kind to everyone, even if they are grumpy. Let’s take a look at what this book is about.
Book Details
Book Title: The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
Author: Susan Wojciechowski
Illustrator: P. J. Lynch
Theme: Simple kindnesses and friendship can change lives.
Plot: A little boy and his mother meet a grumpy woodcarver to ask if he can fix their nativity collection.
Page Count: 32 pages.
My Review
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomy is in the top three when it comes to great Christmas children’s stories! This short book tells the tale of a lonely woodcarver who has lost that which is most important to him: family. But there is still hope in the form of a widow and her son and a wooden nativity set.
This story is a little bit of a tearjerker but in the best way. Complete with true Christmas spirit, real-life struggle, and a simple yet meaningful example of what kindness and companionship can do for someone, this story is a must for the holiday season! Susan Wojciechowski does a fantastic job of telling the woodcarver’s story in such a short amount of time. She conveys his emotions and needs so deeply that it amazes me what she accomplishes in only thirty pages. In addition to that depth of emotion, the author also manages to get some laughs in there as well! The little boy’s honesty adds some comedy to the emotional story, and his attempts at honoring the woodcarver’s wishes are adorable! In addition to the beautiful story, this book has amazing illustrations. Their detail clearly shows each character’s emotions and adds just the right touch to this book’s spirit!
I really can’t say enough good things about The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey. I give this book five stars and encourage you to read it with your family, both young and old, this holiday season! But if you want to know what families think of this story, check out the family reviews below!
Family Reviews
Kate and Josiah
Kate gave this book a four-star review, saying that her favorite thing about it was that “It was deeper than most Christmas children’s stories.” Josiah gave this book five hearts, saying he “liked it all.”
Alyssa and Chandler
Alyssa gave this book a five-star review, saying, “I love the classic story of how patient friendship ushers in the opportunity for impact.” Chandler agreed, giving this book five hearts, saying, “I liked all the pictures of carvings!” However, she did want to add that she thought, “It was a little boring.”
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