The Real Santa Claus: Legends of Saint Nicholas

by Marianna Mayer

Book Overview

In this beautifully illustrated book, the author of The Twelve Apostles creates an inviting portrait of the real Saint Nicholas, who became legendary for his generosity and miraculous acts of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803726244
• ISBN13: 9780803726246
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Dial Books
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 4 years and up
• Grade Range: Kindergarten and higher

Customer Reviews

not a good choice for young readers

The following text made me rethink my plans to give this book to my third-grade nephew: "A few years after Nicholas was ordained bishop, a man who kept an inn on the outskirts of the city murdered three youths and then hid them in a tub of brine...". Not exactly bedtime story material. So, I'll set it aside to give to him when he is a bit older. In the mean time, I did give him Paul Prokop's book The True Story of Santa Claus which I think is more appropriate for a younger audience.

The Real Spirit of Christmas

How I wish I'd had this book when I was a child. That certainly would have cleared the Santa question up for me in good order. What is so wonderful about this book is that it is a biography of St. Nicholas, the bishop who was later canonized as the Patron Saint of Children. Santa Claus is a variation of the name Saint Nicholas. In Dutch, St. Nicholas is translated as Sinterklaas. It is a beautifully illustrated work that shows how the tradition of Santa Claus caught on and is a book families are sure to enjoy.

beautiful

A wonderful family keepsake. Well written and well presented in a beautifully artistic work. Something to read to children. An answer to a life long question. Is Santa Claus real? Or Saint Nicholas? Wonderful!

A CHRISTMAS BOOK TO ENJOY FROM YEAR TO YEAR

Opening with the traditional version of the beloved poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" renowned children's book author Marianna Mayer seques into the life of St. Nicholas, the saint whose legendary generosity was the genesis for Santa Claus. St. Nicholas, who lived during the fourth century in the area that is now known as Turkey, was the child of practicing Christians who died when Nicholas was but a boy. Fortunately, they were people of wealth so the child was left with a handsome inheritance which it is said he used to help others. According to stories that have grown up around the saint when he was still a boy he overheard villagers in the marketplace discussing a family that was destitute, so impoverished that three daughters were to be sold into slavery. That night young Nicholas stealthily approached the family's home and threw a bag of gold in through an open window. So astounded was the man to find this amazing gift that he sat by the window each night hoping to see his benefactor. When he did catch Nicholas leaving another bag of gold the man wanted to know how he could repay him. The boy only asked that the man never tell who had helped him. Later, as an adult, Nicholas was elected Bishop of Myra and continued his selfless generosity which won him legions of followers. Illustrating her story with reproductions of paintings by some of the world's greatest artists, including Tintoretto and Fra Angelico, Ms. Mayer has created a keepsake Christmas book that families will enjoy season after season. - Gail Cooke