Product Description

One dollar and eight-seven cents is all the money Della has in the world to buy her beloved husband a Christmas present. She has nothing to sell except her only treasure -- her long, beautiful brown hair. Set in New York at the turn of the twentieth century, this classic piece of American literature tells the story of a young couple and the sacrifices each must make to buy the other a gift. Beautiful, delicate watercolors by award-winning illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger add new poignancy and charm to this simple tale about the rewards of unselfish love.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43864 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781416935865
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"[B]eautifully wrought illustrations, delicate, uncluttered, and splendidly composed."

-- New York Times Book Review

"...as sentimental as Christmas."

-- Publishers Weekly

"Lisbeth Zwerger's biting line and soft, evocative palette illuminate the characters with an aura of gaslit nobility, and burnish an antique until it shines."

-- Time

About the Author
William Sydney Porter -- later to be known as O. Henry -- was born in North Carolina in 1862. Known for his surprise endings and ability to capture the hope and pathos of ordinary people, Henry is best remembered for his stories about New York City. The Gift of the Magi was written in 1906, four years before his death.

Lisbeth Zwerger was born in Vienna, where she later studied at the Academy of Art. Internationally renowned as one of the finest contemporary illustrators of children's literature, Zwerger chose The Gift of the Magi as the first American story she illustrated.

Customer Reviews

A Gift from the Heart
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!

timeless beautiful story /ethereal art
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.

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