We are always on the look out for good Christmas books that have themes about the true meaning of Christmastime. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a worthy addition to add to your Christmas library.
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The Christmas Miracle Of Jonathan Toomey With CD |
This story weaves so many themes throughout its covers that it touches the young and the old. The young children can identify with the hero of the story who is a young boy. People who have lived a little while longer and have felt the pain of losing a loved one will relate to the other characters of this book. The book’s themes that our family has talked about were love and compassion, which are two virtues that encompass the Christmas spirit.
The story is about a grumpy man, Mr. Toomey, who is the best woodcarver in the valley. He keeps to himself. No one knows why he never smiles or laughs. A widow and her son ask him to carve them a Christmas scene. By coming to visit him frequently as he carves the figures, they learn that he has lost a wife and a child. This draws the two grieving families closer together because they have both experienced love and loss.
The compassion that the widow’s son shows Mr. Toomey is unconditional. Mr. Toomey is grouchy and, frankly, deserves to be left alone. Yet the boy and his mother show him kindness which changes Mr. Toomey.
I would recommend getting the book with the CD, as I can never make it through the book without sniffling and sobbing. It’s nice to have someone else read it while you listen and turn the pages with your children. We also watched the movie, after reading the book. It is equally as good. After reading the book or watching the movie, don’t be surprised to hear your little ones walking around saying, “Christmas is pish-posh!”
About Brenda Sain
Brenda Sain is a homeschooling mother of five who has a wonderful husband encouraging her to be the woman that God has created her to be. Together they are very intentional about spending time together as a family. She considers her daily life with her children as her ministry and has found many avenues to encourage others to live a lifestyle of learning. She is the founder of an online homeschool community, Our Lifestyle of Learning (http://www.ourlifestyleoflearning), and a curriculum review site authored by a group of well-known homeschool bloggers, Curriculum Choice (http://www.thecurriculumchoice.com). She blogs about their homeschool journey and family traditions at Tie That Binds Us. (http://www.thetiethatbindsus.blogspot.com).
