Comes with a four-song CD!

When I was just a wee little lad
Full of health and joy,
My father homeward came one night
And gave to me a toy

It’s a major publishing event! For nearly half a century, “The Marvelous Toy”—composed by the legendary singer/songwriter Tom Paxton—has enchanted children and adults alike. A simple tale about a mysterious, magical, and mystical toy that a father gives to his son—and that eventually gets passed down to the next generation—it celebrates a child’s sense of wonder. The witty, evocative lyrics spark the imagination. No surprise, then, that the song has been recorded by countless major artists, from Peter, Paul, and Mary to the Chad Mitchell Trio to John Denver, and won legions of fans through the years.

Paxton’s marvelous song has finally become a stunning picture book—oversized, wonderfully packaged, and complete with a CD offering three songs sung by Tom himself plus a music-only version of “The Marvelous Toy” to sing along with. Featuring incredible and wildly imaginative art by Steve Cox, illustrator of the award-winning Pigs Might Fly, the story is now as amazing to look at as it always has been to listen to.

Parents, grandparents, friends, and family worldwide will remember this classic from their own youth—and joyfully share it with their own children. And just like the boy in the song whose “eyes nearly popped right out of his head,” young readers will give “squeals of glee” at the magic of the music, the artwork, and this one-of-kind tale.

PRAISE FOR TOM PAXTON!

“Tom’s songs have a way of sneaking up on you. You find yourself humming them, whistling them, and singing a verse to a friend. Like the songs of Woody Guthrie, they’re becoming part of America.”
–Pete Seeger

"Tom Paxton's songs are so powerful and lyrical, written from the heart and the conscience, and they reach their mark, our most inner being…. I have sung Tom's songs for three decades and will go on doing so, for they are beautiful and timeless, and meant for every age."
–Judy Collins

TOM PAXTON is one of the world’s best-known and loved singer/songwriters. In 2009, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy (The Grammy® Awards). His newest CD, Comedians & Angels, was also nominated for a Grammy® and his first six albums have been rereleased.

Paxton’s influence on folk music has been inestimable: his songs have been recorded by several major artists including Pete Seeger; Peter, Paul, and Mary; Joan Baez; Arlo Guthrie; and Johnny Cash. His best-known tunes include “The Last Thing on My Mind,” “Ramblin' Boy,” “Bottle of Wine,” and “Goin' to the Zoo.” Many address social concerns such as political injustice, inequality, and the ecology, but others celebrate the bonds of family and friendship, and the joys of childhood. He has been richly honored: the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award, four Grammy nominations, and the Martin Guitar Company has even named a guitar after him. He is a true musical treasure.

STEVE COX began his career working in design and character merchandising, eventually handling all the licensing and product design for Count Duckula, one of the most popular animation series on Thames TV in England. However, he decided to return to art, and has since illustrated hundreds of children’s books, including complex pop-ups. Cox’s first picture book was Pigs Might Fly for which he won a Red House Children’s Book Award. His other books include The Diary of a Killer Cat and Ants in My Pants as well as many others.