The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

This book was given to my grandchildren several years ago. Since than I have ordered several to give to the college students in my Sunday School class after a read aloud to them which they always enjoy. It was a bonus to receive the accompanying CD. It is truly a beautiful Christmas favorite with me and my friends.

This book is so wonderful. It is my favorite Christmas book. It has a great storyline. It makes me cry. I like this version much better than the newer one as this version the illustrations are the entire page.

I know the work "Christmas" is taboo for many, but this is a great Christmas story. A man still mourning the loss of his wife learns to open up his heart to young boy curious about his carvings as well as the boy's mother who shows kindness. The carver begins to reluctantly make a nativity set, and in so doing, he realizes that he still loved by God, the boy, and the mother.

I know the work "Christmas" is taboo for many, but this is a great Christmas story. A man still mourning the loss of his wife learns to open up his heart to young boy curious about his carvings as well as the boy's mother who shows kindness. The carver begins to reluctantly make a nativity set, and in so doing, he realizes that he still loved by God, the boy, and the mother.

This is one of our favorite Christmas books. Beautiful pictures & great story. I sent it to my niece & family after they hosted our family Christmas party. I was disappointed to find that it had an inscription written on the inside cover - so apparently it was used.

This book arrived in perfect condition with the cd even. Great illustrations and warm story for the season. My children have already heard it a couple times since we got it and they are so tuned into it.

This is my favorite Christmas book of all time. If I could own only one Christmas book, this would be it.

A sad, reclusive woodcarver is visited by a widow and her son. They are new to the town, and she has realized that her family nativity set is gone. She asks the woodcarver to make her a new set before Christmas. He grumpily accepts the job, and is visited the following week by the widow and her son- the boy wants to watch him carve. As the woodcarver works, the boy teaches him about his nativity set- each figure and why it was special. Slowly, as each visit approaches, the woodcarver is softened by the kindness of the widow and the joy of the boy. The illustrations are warm and heartfelt and the story is lyrical and poignant.

My recommendation: Get an early edition! The newest edition has done a hatchet job on the illustrations, both shrinking and cropping them. I was beyond disappointed to see this. The 1995, 1998 and 2000 editions look to have the full sized illustrations.

Being considerate and respectful are major elements of this book. The CD adds a special touch to the beautifully illustrated, realistic story. Non-Christians as well as Christians are moved by the transformation of the Scrooge-like character, Jonathan Toomey. Unlike Scrooge, this woodcarvers' heart was changed not from fear but kindness. A young boy's widowed mother asks if he would he carve a new "manger scene" and let the boy watch. In a crumpy manner, he agrees. It is discovered that part of his bitterness is the loss of his wife and child years ago. He has the reputation of being the best woodcarver. The boy has specific memories of the old "manger scene" and he wants the new one to be like it. With each figure, he states that it is a wonderful carving, maybe the best in the world, but it isn't quite like his old one (not an exact quote). The boy is very considerate and respectful in clarifying his wishes. The grumpy man gradually begins to become more kind, himself. He had not smiled in years. The book ends with the three of them rejoicing over the accomplishment and his new found happiness.

This is the story of Jonathan Toomey, a reclusive woodcarver whose heart was hardened years ago after the death of his beloved wife and child. Into his life come a widow and her son, who commission him to recreate a lost nativity set for them. Eventually, the boy begins to visit with his mother to observe as he wants to be a woodcarver. The boy's earnest questions and the widow's kindnesses as he carves the nativity set soften the woodcarver's heart. Until Christmas Day when he delivers the nativity to the widow and son and is a different man.

This story is beautifully illustrated with the people wearing 1800s clothing. The illustrations are very realistic and help bring the story and the characters to life. The story is told in an engaging fashion. We've had this book for less than a week, and my daughters (ages 8.5, 6.5, and 4.5) have greatly enjoyed it, with the oldest reading it to her younger siblings quite a few times.

There's no explicit telling of why baby Jesus came into the world and what He did when He came, so it's lacking in telling the "true meaning" of Christmas. However, it is a very well presented story showing the effect that two individuals can have as they reach out in love to those hurting around them. I would definitely recommend this book.

Looking at the 1995 edition of this story, one could say that Susan Wojciechowski carved this story from memories in her heart. How does a painter choose the right colors to lay small brushstrokes on the canvas? I believe, from a memory in his heart. How does someone sew fabric into a dress using the right texture, carefully chosen trims, and simple stitches to hold the pieces in place? More than likely, this dress is sewn from a memory in her heart. Well, if you are an emotionally balanced person, you will read this thoughtful and tearful story to a child who is learning life's lessons of compassion, kindness, courage, love, and a whole lot more of life's beatitudes.

The story takes place in a small village where the lives of three people come together. There's Jonathan Toomey, the middle aged woodcarver, who is teased and called Mr. Gloomy. And, there's the widow McDowell and her son, Thomas who live in the village.

Years earlier, Mr. Toomey was a happy man full of life, with a wife and baby; at that time, there were no medicines to help them when sickness came, and his wife and baby died within three days of each other. For Mr. Toomey, his life as it was, ended. With a few belongings, he left that town and "traveled till his tears stopped", settling in this village. His face was mostly covered with his long hair and beard, and you hardly noticed his eyes, the "clear blue of an August sky".

As the snow fell and Christmas was soon on its way, the widow McDowell and Thomas stopped at Mr. Toomey's shop to ask him to carve a set of figures for their nativity set, replacing the ones that were lost over the years. Thomas' Mother asks Mr. Toomey if he will take the job, and he accepts. Thomas asks when the figures will be ready, and Mr. Toomey says, "they'll be ready when they are ready". As the days pass, widow McDowell and Thomas stop by Mr. Toomey's shop, asking if he would allow Thomas to watch him as he carves the figures.

At first, Mr. Toomey is unwelcoming, but over time and many visits, where Thomas watches, and his Mom does some knitting, or preparing of food, Mr. Toomey opens up his heart gradually to Thomas' many questions, and to widow McDowell's kindness. The relationship between Thomas and Mr. Toomey begins to develop. The questions keep coming from Thomas, and gradually, Mr. Toomey gently befriends Thomas.

Will Jonathan Toomey have the figures carved by Christmas? If so, how does he carve into the figures such realistic looking details, and how might the carving of these figures heal his painful memories?

This story will touch your heart, and more than likely, you will recall memories in your own heart. I will leave the details of the story....... for you to read. May you blessed to read this story with someone at your side.

Because few stories touched her Christmas heart, Susan Wojciechowski, wrote this story to bring out the real meaning of Christmas. P.J. Lynch, the illustrator, previously illustrated fairy tales, but in this story, he uses watercolors applied with small brushstrokes so vivid that you can see the creases on Mr. Toomey's knuckles, Thomas' softly blown haircut, the widow McDowell's smiling cheeks, as well as the carver's tools, and the curls of wood, which when removed,helped form the figures.

And if you can, try to find the edition with an accompanying Audio CD; it's great to be read to.

THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TWOMEY is a simple and heartwarming story. The plot is simple enough. Jonathan is lonely and still mourning the loss of his wife and child. The pain of this loss makes it difficult for Jonathan to open up to others. Though many respect his talent as a wood carver, he is mistakenly judged as a miserable and mean spirited person. His life begins to change when a local widow orders a new manger scene and requests that her son watch Jonathan at work since the child hopes to be a woodcarver one day. The boy�s simple goodness as well as the magic of the Christmas story begin to have an effect on Jonathan and he is eventually able to accept the love that the mother and her son wish to offer him. The transformation is gradual and therefore rings as authentic.
Ms. Wojciechowski tells a beautiful story. She weaves her words in a masterful way that will certainly engage a child�s imagination. An as is the case in many stories labeled for children, the book holds universal truths that will touch an adult heart as well.

My mother introduced me to this beautiful story years ago, and I have re-read it many times.

All of the characters in "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey" have experienced pain and loss. A kind, patient widow and her son slowly bring the message of love, renewal, and Christmas to a woodcarver who has become lost in grief.

Not a Santa story-- a story of what Christmas should mean, in our hearts: loving our neighbors as ourselves, and holding onto faith, hope, and charity as the keys to salvation and the path toward peace and joy.

Beautiful, sympathetic, and historically sensitive illustrations bring this story alive. Highly, highly recommended!

Jonathan Toomey is a sad and lonely man, living alone in the little village after his wife and little baby child died. Nobody talks to him, and he wants nobody. But then, one day a widow and her seven years old son come to see him, asking if he can make them a manger with all the traditional Christmas figures. The little boy, Thomas, loves to watch Jonathan when he works, and Thomas' mother brings small gifts in her very silent way, while Jonathan is working. In a beautiful told story Jonathan Toomey is helped by Thomas and his mother to look at his grief and by that he is helped through it.
Perfect for anybody who has lost somebody, and also perfect for anybody else as a Christmas story.
I am very happy to have this book, with the beautiful illustrations of P.J.Lynch in my growing collection of Christmas books.
Britt Arnhild Lindland

As one who has been collecting children's Christmas books for 21 years, this is my all time favorite!!! Artwork, for me, really makes or breaks a book and this book's is FABULOUS! Lynch's illustrations are not only warmly and beautifully done, but they correspond perfectly with the story as well. (Unlike some artists whose illustrations betray the fact that they really don't know the story they're illustrating. Pet peeve!)

And the story...wow! It moves me to tears every time as Wojciechowski weaves a simple but powerful story of the nativity within a story of the life-changing and healing power of love. It repeats and builds just enough to endear children and yet not bore adults. A true classic and family favorite! (The 1995 version is my personal favorite as well- best layout for the artwork by far.)

It was hard reading this book to my kids, because it made me cry, but we all loved it.
The book explores the importance of human relationships in giving meaning to life. It also deals with how people recover from loss and overcome adversity.
Despite it's being a children's picture book, it's definitely meaty material. It deals with a world that is not at all like a fairy tale, where people are struggling with real problems. I like that. I like letting kids see that happiness doesn't necessarily come from being a rich person or having everything go right. Happiness comes from working hard and reaching out to others.
I recommend this book most heartily.

THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY is a charming book about the nature of patience and grace. Jonathan Toomey is a very sad and gloomy man. His wife and child died very young and he has never gotten over his grief. Children call him Mr. Gloomy, for they fail to see the beauty beneath. One day a young widow and her son show up, asking Toomey to make a nativity scence for them, replacing one they lost when they recently moved to town. Mr. Toomey agrees. His life is forever changed by the act.
The book is beautifully illustrated and has become a modern Christmas classic.

The writing of this moving story shows true artistic mastery. Even with a few rhythmic, well-chosen phrases which echo in the reader's heart, the author helps us really KNOW her memorable characters. This is a beautiful, beautiful book, worthy of the season which inspired it, and of the audience of children and adults which will surely be deeply affected by it. A life-altering experience, because it makes its mark on one's soul. Susan Wojciechowski and P.J. Lynch deserve the highest honors for this exquisite work.

This beautiful Christmas story tells the story of a heart broken widower and woodcarver and a widow and her little boy who come into contact with each other. Through the love of this child in his life, and being employed to carve a wooden nativity scene the God of Christmas finally brings peace and healing to his shriveled, dry heart. A heart warming story that brings the ultimate truth, that Jesus Christ still brings peace and healing to the shriveled up dry hearts of humanity. A book for children and adults alike.

This is a beautifully-written and illustrated book that brings the Christmas story to life. People helping people and miracles happening. I really enjoyed this book as an adult! I highly recommend it for all ages! A beautiful and endearing message.
Denise George
Author of: Johnny Cornflakes: A Story About Loving the Unloved

This is a holiday classic that will be an enriching experience for your entire family. The story is a touching tale about how the carving of a nativity set for a widow and her son heals the heart of a gloomy woodcarver. It truly reflects the spirit of Christmas and will put a tear in your eye. Set aside a special time each holiday to read it aloud with your family. It is the most inspiring children's book I have ever read!