“Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” a Holiday Superstar

“The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” is by far my favorite holiday story. It’s something my family has read out loud together for years. While the story is poignant, the watercolor illustrations by P.J. Lynch are magnificent – perhaps the best I have ever seen in a picture book.

After a little research, I find that I am not alone in my assessment. Susan Wojciechowski’s sweet tale is an International Reading Association Teachers’ Choices Award winner, an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, a Christopher Award Winner and a Parents’ Choice Honor Award winner.

“The tale is unfolded with such mastery, humor and emotional force that we are entirely in its power,” writes a reviewer from The New York Times Book Review.

 A Miracle Before My Eyes

For years, I read this book to my third graders during Sunday school class as Christmas approached. I found that the real-time miracle of “Jonathan Toomey” is that it had the power to calm the squirming bodies of 25 little ones who were hyped up on Christmas cookies and ready to get out of their street shoes and itchy collared shirts!

As I would begin to read, it was quite amazing to watch the calm sweep over the group and to watch their facial expressions change from distracted to enraptured. The oversized pictures were perfect, because even the children in the back of our reading circle could see the beautiful details. Now, with the availability of whiteboards, the book can be viewed even more easily in large groups.

Other holiday favorites for this flock of Sunday schoolers included “The Legend of the Candy Cane” by Lori Walburg with outstanding illustrations by James Bernardin, “The Christmas Day Kitten” by James Herriot, “The Gift of the Magi,” published by Candlewick Press  (and also illustrated by P.J. Lynch) and, of course, the Luke 2 passage.

Let’s Not Forget Thanksgiving!

Lest you think I’m one of those holiday-rushers, there’s still time to snag a copy of Cheryl Harness’ “Three Young Pilgrims,” which is recommended for ages 5-10. My girls also loved “Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving” by Eric Metaxas, which tells the historical story of how an English-speaking Indian happened to live in the exact place where Pilgrims landed to start a new life in the New World. This book is also recommended for ages 5-10.

No Time to Head to a Bookstore?

Witnessing that holiday time crunch already? Never fear! Big Universe offers its members several holiday-themed picture books online, including “Holidays,” the illustrated classic “A Christmas Carol,” “Mucky Pup’s Christmas,” “The Miracle Jar,” “Penguin’s Special Christmas Tree,” and “Cat on the Hill,” which is offered for free this week to everyone. Also check out the many free holiday-themed books created by members of the Big Universe community.

* The photo for this blog was taken of a book purchased by our family; however, all credit and honor is given to artist Patrick James Lynch who created his masterful illustrations (© 1995) for Candlewick Press.