ALA Booklist

for reading aloud. The short story The Gift of the Magi is one of the greatest Christmas stories of all time, and it has been retold and illustrated for children many times, including a recent illustrated version with an Appalachian setting by Barry Moser. However, there are not many O. Henry stories that have the same power to reach young people today. Several of the 14 stories collected here are dated in subject and tone, and not too many readers will get to the end of the stories to enjoy the famous surprises. Part of the handsome Books of Wonder Classic gift series, which includes A Christmas Carol nd The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes this collection will work best when read aloud across generations. Dooling's exquisite color plates, one for each story, in shades of brown and red, are both low-key and warm, with a realistic style that captures the wry characterization of O. Henry's prose. (Reviewed October 15, 1997)

Horn Book

The tale of a couple, each of whom sacrifices a beloved possession to purchase a Christmas gift for the other, enjoys a gentle new interpretation through watercolor illustrations in worn grays and warm brown tones. Henry's vocabulary is challenging, but Lynch's illustrations of wintry cityscapes and the protagonists' animated faces add an accessible level of storytelling to his sophisticated prose.

Kirkus Reviews

The beloved short story first published in 1906 is presented in an attractive edition with full-color illustrations that bring the sentimental story of the young couple to life. Jim and Della live in a furnished flat in New York City, scraping by on a minimal income early in their marriage. At Christmastime, Della sells her beautiful, long hair for money to buy Jim a platinum pocket-watch chain. On the same day, Jim sells his heirloom pocket watch to buy a set of hair combs that Della has admired. Their Christmas gifts are compromised, but they realize they have the best gift of all—each other. The story is a period piece, with lengthy sentences, some old-fashioned vocabulary and asides to the reader from the omniscient narrator. Lynch's gentle illustrations help make the story accessible to today's readers, providing historical context in settings, costumes and the accoutrements of the era, as well as believable characterizations of the young couple. The text is printed on sepia-toned backgrounds that extend the antique flavor of the narrative. (Picture book. 10 & up)

School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up-An illustrated, unabridged version of the classic short story in which a young husband and wife each, unbeknownst to the other, gives up a most treasured possession to buy the other a wonderful gift. The gifts, of course, are useless as a result, but the couples love is presumably all the stronger. The sepia-toned watercolors have an authentic period look; the details present in the New York City street scenes and the couples rather shabby apartment add a strong feeling of time and place to the story. Very different in style from Lisbeth Zwergers lovely and delicate version (S & S, 2006), this is a fine choice for libraries needing another illustrated edition of this Christmas tale. Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library