The Christmas Rocket
Author:
Anne Molloy 
Complete Authored Works
Illustrator:
Artur Marokvia
Publication:
1958 by Hastings House, Publishers
Genre:
Fiction, Holiday, Picture Books, Short Story
Pages:
47
Current state:
This book has been evaluated and information added. It has been read but content considerations may not be complete.
Book Guide
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This beautiful Christmas story is set in modern Italy. It is about a potter's son who goes down the mountain with his father shortly before Christmas to sell pots, vases and platters. They have high hopes of bringing home enough money for meat on the Birthday, perhaps enough for a pair of real shoes for Dino and even a rocket for him to set off with those of the other boys on Christmas Eve.
The trip does not turn out that way. Like many anticipated events, it goes from bad to worse until Dino starts home in tears. As he trudges up the mountainside, though, something happens. Something which lights up Dino's heart and gives us a new view of the Christmas story.
Mrs. Molloy's magic with words Artur Marokvia has matched in his pictures, for he too felt the story's charm from the first reading. Fortunately he had been near the very spot in Italy which Anne Molloy had chosen for the story, and his exquisite half-tones in both colour and black-and-white have made this a book to cherish for many years.
From the dust jacket
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Artur Marokvia
1909 - 1986German-American
ARTUR MAROKVIA was born in Germany and studied art there and in France, where he lived for fifteen years. He is an accomplished pianist and also a s... See more
The Christmas Rocket 
Reprinted in 2023 by Purple House Press
Available formats: Hardcover, Paperback
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Reviews
The Christmas Rocket
Reviewed by Sherry Early
A Christmas miracle is awaiting the poor hardworking family. There’s a rule about writing Christmas stories (and Hallmark Christmas movies): there always has to be a Christmas miracle. The one in this book is satisfying and generous, a good ending to a hopeful Christmas story.
The Christmas Rocket
Reviewed by Diane Pendergraft
One of Dino’s fondest wishes is to have enough money to buy all four legs of their neighbor’s donkey. Each time they earn enough money to buy one or two legs of the donkey, something happens and they have to spend the money on food for the family or medicine for the grandfather.
Another wish is to have a rocket to shoot off at midnight on Christmas Eve like all the other boys. Dino’s mother would like for him to have shoes to wear when he carries a candle in the Christmas Eve procession, and his father would like to be able to buy meat for their Christmas dinner.
The Christmas Rocket
Arthur Marokvin's illustrations convey much of the feeling of an Italian village in this plausible and dramatic modern miracle story...
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