Christmas at the Toy Museum

It’s Christmas Eve at the Toy Museum—and when the lights go out, the magic begins!

One very special Christmas Eve, Bunting and the rest of the toys in the museum are gathered around the tree — but what’s this? There are no presents! What can they do? The normally reserved Bunting has a wonderful idea. Why don’t the toys give themselves to one another as gifts? The toys learn about the true gift of giving in this gentle and affectionate picture book from one of Britain’s brightest talents.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.
—Publishers Weekly

Lucas’s cozy ink and watercolor illustrations play up both the old-fashioned-looking toys’ well-loved-plaything qualities (e.g., a stuffed bear is missing an eye) and their human ones of kindness, sharing, and community.
—The Horn Book

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.
—Kirkus Reviews online

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.
—BooklistDavid Lucas has written and illustrated several books for children and was named a Booktrust Best New Illustrator. He lives in London.