26 Children's Christmas Books in 25 Days Day #7

Today's book for 26 Children's Christmas Books in 25 Days is one that my 2 little Boys and I couldn't pass up reading when we saw the cover.  Like Hooks pirate ship in Peter Pan, this magical ship graces the cover of The Christmas Ship by Dean Morrissey, only this ship sales through the air over Old Bridgeport filled with many great and wonderful things.

The Christmas Ship is unlike any other Christmas story I have every seen, the illustrations are breathtaking and filled with details that excite and ignite little kids imaginations.  The story starts on Christmas eve  in the toy shop of Sam Tatcher, who is hard at work trying to get all the toys finished before dark.  Sam's toy shop, The Magic Door, is a rickety old building on the docks of Old Bridgeport. The Mayor of the town has warned Sam for six months to fix the building or he would shut him down, so he chooses Christmas Eve to enforce his orders and he condems the building (meanie).  The children playing outside of the shop or saddened by the closing of their favorite toy shop and ask Sam what can be done, and he tells them "Yes, go home and get ready for Christmas" and he sends them home with their first presents of Christmas.

Sam sits wearliy, without even the energy to light the fire, which turns out to be a good thing because his next visitor arrives down the chimney.  Father Christmas needs Sams help with deliveries in Old Bridgeport, but he doesn't have a sleigh or reindeer, and soon no shop, so how could he help?  As Father Christmas leaves he tells Sam he will find a way and without another word he is gone.  Shortly after Father Christmas leaves magic begins to happen in the old toy shop, and the toys comes alive to help Sam prepare for deliveries, one little rabbit goes to the window and points to Sam's boat.  Sam's boat is already filled with brightly wrapped gifts and a scroll of names is attached to the ships wheel, so the toy eleves and Sam are off to make deliveries over the sleepy town of Old Bridgeport, they even bring a gift to the Mayor.  What is the gift for the Mayor? 

You will love reading and looking through this beautiful story book filled with the magic of a generous heart, the wonder of Christmas, and the twinkle that only Father Christmas can bring to anyone's heart, even a meanie like the Mayor.  You can pick up The Christmas Ship at your local library or at Amazon.com.