IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE FOR KIDS!

The actor who played the youngest son in the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life here creates a sequel of sorts, focusing on his character of Tommy Bailey, now 11 years old. He’s a fine young lad, helpful to others in many ways, but one day he misplaces an envelope of money raised to buy new library books at his school. In a panic, he runs away, stopping at a bridge in a snowstorm and, like his father before him, wishing he had never been born. The plot reprises the lessons learned by George Bailey in the movie, with an angel assigned to help Tommy, leading him back to his family. The well-written story can stand on its own but will be best appreciated by those who have seen the movie, as there are references to Clarence the angel and other characters and places from the film. In his polished illustrations, Jones does an excellent job of capturing the familiar Bailey family and ’50s-era Bedford Falls, with a folksy view of small-town life. Fans of the film will find this a wonderful treat to add to their seasonal ritual. (Picture book. 6-9)