The Little Toymaker

In this philosophical picture book of emotional generosity and meeting people where they are, the Little Toymaker, who is portrayed with light skin and dark hair, and wears a red and yellow robe, makes toys not for children, but “for grandparents, for older people.” The Little Toymaker doesn’t create new playthings; instead, he repurposes the objects that elderly people bring him “into something new—something magical.” Min (Shy Willow) uses swirls of rainbow hues and stars to conjure up an otherworldly atmosphere, in which people with varied abilities and skin tones engage outside the Little Toymaker’s tower. When a grandmother, shown with white hair and light skin, brings the toymaker a small candy tin, his first attempts fail to please (“Ack!” and “Oh dear,” she says), but after the two drink tea and eat mooncakes together, and he listens to the woman’s stories, his final attempt touches her heart. “How did you know?” she asks. Many themes intersect in this dreamlike tale, including giving as a source of joy, listening to elders, and making old things new again. Ages 4–8. Agent: Maria Vicente, P.S. Literary. (Nov.)