Review: Christmas at the Toy Museum

I don't think you can underestimate the power of the illustrations in a picture book. You can't cut corners . . . anything less than superb just doesn't make the grade when the focus of a book is on imagery. Alas, many a picture book fails to make that grade and it's not only the adults who notice.


Christmas at the Toy Museum is certainly not one of those failures. Both adults and kids will delight in these superb illustrations, which perfectly embody the classic Christmas spirit - that of the whimsical toy store.

But wait - this is something more than a store. It's a museum and it's closing time. As the last of the visitors leave and the doors are shut tight behind them, the toys all race to the big Christmas tree, expecting to find a treasure-trove of bow-topped gifts, lying in wait.

You can imagine their surprise to find absolutely nothing at all.

Unwilling to let this awful sight deter his Christmas spirit, Bunting the Cat stands up and makes a speech, suggesting the toys all gift themselves to each other. The toys love the idea! and set about gift wrapping each other - until they realise their group comprises an odd number, and someone will be left out altogether.


I won't spoil the sweet surprise ending - only to say it involves a wish and I'm sure kids everywhere will share that wish! A delightful festive book.


Title: Christmas at the Toy Museum
Author/Illustrator: David Lucas
Publisher: Walker Books, $29.95 RRP
Publication Date: 1 September 2011
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781406324594
For ages: 5 - 10
Type: Picture Book