THE LITTLE TOY SHOP

This overlong and too-sentimental story is set in a toy shop owned by a gentle, white-haired man named Mr. Kringle. He kindly agrees to sell a small, stuffed bunny to a little girl for only a dollar, but in a complex series of events and coincidences, the bunny is sold to someone else, discarded as worthless, chewed by a dog and recovered from a stream by Mr. Kringle (all in one day). He repairs the rabbit and delivers it to the little girl on Christmas Eve as her present from Santa, and the bunny is surprised when he is also reunited with his teddy bear friend from Mr. Kringle’s shop. The saccharine text includes too many descriptions of emotions, too many insights into the stuffed animals’ thoughts and some overblown touches such as a huge teardrop falling to the floor “with a plop.” Wolfe’s oil paintings far exceed her text, as her attractive illustrations exhibit sophisticated perspectives, appealing human characters and a dear little bunny who deserves better narration. (Picture book. 3-6)