THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

I have always loved this short story, by O. Henry, about a young newlywed couple who are so poor that they can't afford to buy each other Christmas presents.  The wife, Della, cuts off her treasured hair to buy her husband, Jim, a watch fob; but he sells his heirloom watch to buy her beautiful combs for her hair. Below are the delicate illustrations Lisbeth Zwerger lends to the tale... 

So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her, rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters.  It reached below her knee and made almost a garment for her.

"I buy hair," said Madame. "Take yer hat off and let's have a sight at the looks of it." Down rippled the brown cascade.

...here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the Magi.

"The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication." - O. Henry, from THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

Unabridged, with illustrations by Lisbeth Zwerger.


Unabridged, with illustrations by P.J. Lynch (see below).

From Library Journal:  "The sepia-toned watercolors have an authentic period look; the details present in the New York City street scenes and the couple's rather shabby apartment add a strong feeling of time and place to the story. Very different in style from Lisbeth Zwerger's lovely and delicate version." (P.J. Lynch also illustrated The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.)

THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY

This story is sure to draw you and your child in immediately, as you get a glimpse at the empty and hurting heart of a bitter woodcarver, Jonathan Toomey.  We come to find a secret about him that the village townspeople don't know.  Like Scrooge's "bah-humbug", his description of Christmas is cynical:  "pish-posh".

One December, the gruff woodcarver is visited by a widow, new to the town, and her young son, Thomas.  They ask him to carve a set of Christmas figures to replace their original Nativity creche that has gotten lost.

The widow and her son begin to visit Jonathan Toomey's cottage, so that Thomas can watch the wood carver at his craft.  As his mother looks on in quiet alarm, the young boy whispers quiet observations such as, "Mr. Toomey, excuse me, but you're carving my sheep wrong", noting that his original sheep had "looked happy...they knew they were with the baby Jesus, so they were happy".

Slowly, after accepting gifts of food brought with each visit by the widow, and getting used to the company of this mother and son, Jonathan Toomey's heart begins to soften and heal.  He begins to teach Thomas how to carve a robin.

I won't spoil the ending, but you're sure to shed some tears as you read how Jonathan Toomey finally faces his past and finishes the figures of the Nativity scene.  This is a beautifully told and illustrated tale.  The pictures by P.J. Lynch, in shadow from sunlight and firelight, focus on the emotions shown in the faces and actions of the characters.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey (ages 5 to adult) by Susan Wojciechowski is one of our family's favorites and is a touching read aloud.