Review by Booklist Review
After the toy museum closes for Christmas, the 22 toys inside come to life only to face disappointment when it appears that they won't be receiving any presents. Rope-tailed, formally suited Bunting the stuffed cat makes a suggestion that each toy can give another the present of him- or herself. So all set to work with wrapping papers and energy. Bunting himself, however, is the last one left, and on Christmas morning, he seems to have no one to unwrap as a present of his own. Luckily, the Christmas tree's angel saw the problem coming and gives Bunting a special gift of his own, which can be shared and enjoyed by all. Lucas' concise Christmas story offers a fresh take on the concept of giving, while the cheerfully active scenes, rendered in deeply colored watercolor and ink, are organized to allow the eye to enjoy every detail, from richly patterned ornaments to the cast of droll, original toys.--Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
After hours at the toy museum, a menagerie of vintage dolls, animals, and windup toys are dismayed to find no presents for them under the tree. Bunting, a dapperly outfitted toy cat, has the solution: "Friends! Toys! Dolls! Puppets!" he says, "It's Christmas Eve! Let us not be downhearted! Why don't we all give one another ourselves?" The toys wrap each other up as presents and quietly wait under the tree until Christmas morning. Lucas's ink-and-watercolor spreads contrast sharp angles and geometric patterns with the soulful expressions of the heirloom toys, as they joyfully discover that togetherness is the best Christmas gift. Ages 3-up. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A collection of stuffed animals and dolls celebrate Christmas together in a touching way, by wrapping themselves up as presents so that each toy will have a present to open on Christmas morning. This simple but original story, first published in England, presents a collection of antique toys at a museum. The toys are introduced by name on the front endpapers with such charmingly old-fashioned (and very British) names as Banger the Boxer Dog, Winkie the One-Eyed Bear and Wee Scottie the Windup Dog. When Bunting, a stuffed cat, is left without a package, the angel at the top of their Christmas tree flies down to give him a special gift, a tiny golden package with a magical wish inside. The appearance of the angel changes the tone of the story, as the angel changes in color from pale lavender to radiant gold, with swirling rays of light surrounding her. In a satisfying conclusion, Bunting uses his wish to ensure that the spirit of Christmas will never end. A large format and stylish illustrations in watercolor and ink add to the book's appeal, with clever touches in both text and illustrations that will beguile both children and adults. A charming tale that adults won't mind reading over and over. (Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
