"It's a Wonderful Life" is my favorite Christmas themed movie, so it was a no brainer to read this one. Much like when I'm watching the movie, there were many moments reading this when my heart was warm and eyes filled with tears. This short book of just over 200 pages was written by the actor who portrayed George Bailey's young son Tommy Bailey. lf you want to geek out over this movie in a good way, this is a wonderful way to do it. There are excerpts from the screenplay, photographs, many insider facts, and inspirational interpretations from this movie. This was a lovely book for learning more about a movie loved by millions.

Thank you to the publisher Harper Horizon who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

I was eleven or twelve when I happened upon It’s a Wonderful Life on television. It became my favorite movie which I still watch every year.

Jimmy Hawkins played George Bailey’s youngest son, the start of a long career. He holds the lessons of this movie close to his heart: community, the importance of the ‘little men’ who are really the ‘big men’ in life, second chances, how every human life has value.

This book is idealistic, a bit preachy, but has a whole wallop of love.

Hawkins includes the movie script for pivotal scenes. He offers background information on the making of the movie, insight into what the movie meant to director Frank Capra, and how Jimmy Stewart’s acting drew from painful WWII experiences. We learn that the theme of second chances has given grace to many, especially to prevent suicide.

Fans of the movie will enjoy reading Hawking’s insights.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; it was highly informative. I will certainly recommend it to others. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

I requested this book because *It’s a Wonderful Life* remains one of my favorite Christmas movies, and a favorite times of the holiday season each year that I watch it (I watched this for the first time on a Saturday with my beloved grandfather in the 1980’s as a child, and the memory of that is precious to me).

Though I initially misunderstood the premise, I loved this book. I was expecting a look at the memories of shooting the movie and the author’s own memories of that time, and instead received a gift - reminders that there are good people in the world, which is a gift indeed during such a politically horrific time.

A definite recommendation.




Thank you to Harper Horizon and NetGalley for the DRC

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Heart of It's a Wonderful Life.

I didn't see It's a Wonderful Life until I was a teenager. For many years, for some reason, i thought the movie was hokey and corny.

Then one day I caught a primetime showing, I was channel surfing, and caught the first few minutes and was immediately drawn in.

I was on my way out for a family dinner and didn't finish the movie but for the rest of the night I couldn't stop thinking about the movie.

What happened to George Bailey?

Why did he want to take his own life?

After I finally watched the film in its entirety, I understood what the film was truly about.

I misunderstood the premise of the book. I thought it was a behind the scenes look at the film filled with anecdotes and the author's reminiscences during the making of the film.

Instead, the author (he played George Bailey's youngest son) takes the heart and hope of the movie's message and applies it to real life.

There are memorable scenes from the movie along with photos of the author's favorite scenes that highlight the turning points in George Bailey's life.

The author reminds readers of the film's original premise, that there are good people who have meaningful impacts on our lives and community (including each of us) and what we do matters. We matter.

This is a book we all need right now especially now during tumultuous political and social climate.

While I misunderstood the initial premise, I enjoyed this book. I have always loved the movie, and I liked how it provided different applications of the book to real life.

This book is heartwarming and thought-provoking, much like the movie itself. Hawkins skillfully weaves together important scenes from the film with his personal experiences during its creation, using them to teach valuable life lessons.

The author begins by detailing how Frank Capra's vision for the movie came to life, then delves into the backstories and deeper meanings behind various scenes. He concludes by exploring the film's lasting legacy, both in his own life and in the lives of countless viewers. I was unaware that Hawkins has written other books about "It's a Wonderful Life," but I am now eager to read them as well!

Thank you to Harper Horizon and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This was a really sweet book. Jimmy Hawkins who was in its a wonderful life shares his memories and some insights about the film. He also talks about his life and other things in his career.

This was really a good book. It was informative and I loved hearing his memories and take on the film. This is a great read for anyone interested in classic film, who loves Christmas movies, or is a fan of its a wonderful life.