Folk Music Icons In Concert

PreSchool-Grade 2-In this picture-book version of a popular song, Paxton's lyrics are accompanied by vibrant, modern illustrations to tell the story of a boy who receives a gift from his father. No one knows quite what it is, but that does not diminish its importance.

As the song goes, "It went zip! when it moved/And bop! when it stopped/And whirr! when it stood still./I never knew just what it was,/And I guess I never will."

The boy grows up and hands the toy down to his son, and it is admired by the pets and other toys as well. The mysterious toy never comes into full view, although a few of its bright lights can always be seen. Illustrations depict a magical haze of greens and blues, while capturing the excitement of the action with splashes of red and yellow.

It is clear that the boy owns plenty of toys, but not one can compare to this amazing gadget. The accompanying CD is an enjoyable bonus, providing Paxton's version of the song and an instrumental take. Two additional songs from Paxton are also included. While the story is nostalgic, the energized artwork filled with stardust increases the kid appeal.-Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

Product Description
For nearly half a century, The Marvelous Toy composed by the legendary singer/songwriter Tom Paxton has enchanted children and adults alike. A simple tale about a mysterious, magical, and mystical toy that a father gives to his son and that eventually gets passed down to the next generation it celebrates a child s sense of wonder.

The witty, evocative lyrics spark the imagination. No surprise, then, that the song has been recorded by countless major artists, from Peter, Paul, and Mary to the Chad Mitchell Trio to John Denver, and won legions of fans through the years.

Paxton's marvelous song has finally become a stunning picture book oversized, wonderfully packaged, and complete with a CD offering three songs sung by Tom himself plus a music-only version of The Marvelous Toy to sing along with. Featuring incredible and wildly imaginative art by Steve Cox, illustrator of the award-winning Pigs Might Fly, the story is now as amazing to look at as it always has been to listen to.

Parents, grandparents, friends, and family will remember this classic from their own youth and joyfully share it with their own children.
And just like the boy in the song whose eyes nearly popped right out of his head, young readers will give squeals of glee at the magic of the music, the artwork, and this one-of-kind tale . - Amazon

Grade 2-4-In 1914, British and German troops were dug into trenches in France, facing one another across the barbed wire and barren ground called No Man's Land. On Christmas Eve, the British soldiers heard the Germans singing Stille Nacht and joined in.

Spontaneously, soldiers on both sides climbed out of their trenches and met in between the lines, sharing small gifts, food, and drink. They played a game of soccer. Then they went back to their trenches. The next day, the shooting resumed. McCutcheon's account of this true event is based on a song he wrote about it in 1984.

An accompanying CD includes that song, Silent Night/Stille Nacht, and a reading of the story. Sorenson's illustrations sanitize trench warfare somewhat. Michael Foreman's War Game (Pavillion, 2002) is a more sophisticated-and somewhat more cynical-presentation of this same Christmas truce.-Virginia Walter, University of California, Los Angeles