The Christmas Ship
Ages 5-9. It's Christmas Eve in the coastal village of Old Bridgeport, and Sam Thatcher is hard at work in his toy shop, hoping to finish the last of his work before dark. Things get complicated, though, when the dour mayor arrives and condemns the rickety structure. What a grouch! And talk about bad timing! Sam is too depressed even to build a fire, and that turns out to be lucky--because his next visitor arrives down the chimney. It's his old friend Father Christmas, who needs the toy maker's help delivering presents. Sam doesn't have a sleigh or reindeer, but he does have a boat, and before you can say "ship of dreams," he's soaring high above the village, a surrogate Santa. Thanks to Sam, even the mayor gets a present (hey, it's Christmas!). Morrissey fans will welcome another gathering of his lavishly light-filled, photographically realistic illustrations, though the mayors among us may think the pictures a trifle sentimental. As for the story, it's humbug, of course.Michael CartCopyright &#169; American Library Association. All rights reserved