This book is a roller coaster of emotions that I wasn't expecting, to be sure! Jill is a Jack-in-the-Box whose little girl outgrows her over time, and after Jill unintentionally scares the (now adult) girl's son, she is thrown out in the trash. Hope comes, though, when the town toymaker finds Jill, fixes her up, and gives her a new lease on life. This tale of new beginnings, compassion and friendship is at once heartbreaking and heartwarming, the art style is very cute and expressive, and the ending is so sweet.

Kids will love the fun rhymes and colorful illustrations, making this a great book for either independent reading or reading aloud. Compassion and kindness are big themes, and toys are a subject that makes them easy for kids to connect with and understand. After hearing Jill's story, children and parents alike will definitely want to hug their old toys a little tighter.