The Gift of the Magi

I picked up this book out of nice-cover curiosity and for some light reading to my 2nd grade CCD class, and instead of finding simple children's Christmas book I found a literary masterpiece. Lizabeth Zewerger has transformed O. Henry's very mature adult short story about social poverty and vicarious giving into a children's tale about the true meaning of Christmas. I was awed by the delicateness of Zewerger's watercolors and amazed by the way she perfectly expressed each emotion of O. Henry's tale.

In a world where every holiday (especially Christmas) has been commercialized this book is a symbol of the true meaning of giving. Before you get lost in the hustle and bustle (or if you unfortunately already have) do yourself and your loved ones a favor and pick up this book. It's a great gift for children of all ages and adults too. This is a gift from the heart to give at Christmas.

Reconnect and STAY connected!

I give this beautiful book either to newlyweds on their first Christmas or as a shower/wedding gift. It is so poignant. I hope to remind them that the sacrifices you make in early love/marriage need to be continued through all the years of your marriage. Always wanting to make your partner happy often times means forgoing your own happiness. The red cover I like for Christmas otherwise the white cover for wedding gifts.

I was introduced to this story through a short movie presentation. It was a touching and learning experience. When I was looking around for the book, I choose this particular one, because I was drawn to the illustrations.

I ordered it, and we gave it to our children for Christmas. One night, my husband read it to them for a bed-time story. (I'm thinking this will be a wonderful teaching moment...) So, he gets to the last paragraph, and I'm expecting tears and touching feelings, and then this...

"The wise men - wonderfully wise men- who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi."

Okay, so I know the guy wrote this in 1906, so some things could be lost in translation from being 100 years old. But, my husband and I had to read it over and over to make sense of what he was saying, and then even when we figured it out, it bothers me that he describes his own writing with the term, "lamely." It also bothers me that he calls the couple "foolish" and their actions as "unwisely sacrificed," but then turns completely around and says that they are "the wisest" and that they are "the magi."

Maybe we are just ignorant and don't understand well-written literature. I usually look for literature that is the original, and not "based on" or "influenced by" or "abridged." This time I think I would rather have gotten one written, "As told by..."

Still, a wonderful story in and of itself!

No words to describe the poignancy of this tale, gift it to everyone you treasure.

I’ve always loved different renditions of this story, but had never read the original. I bought for my kids for Christmas. This was a difficult book to read out loud for kids. The language and writing are definitely not of this age. I don’t reccomend if you’re buying for children, but a nice book for a collection or something.

I've been gathering copies of books which Lizbeth Zwerger illustrated for my great niece. Can't go wrong. Lovely book.

I ordered The Gift of the Magi because my daughters loved it as children and I wanted their children to have a copy of this edition with illustrations by Lisbeth Zwerger. The illustrations are divine. It was in great shape and the price was right!

The artwork is stunning.

Everything is A plus.

A beautiful book, lovely art work.