Customer Reviews

The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a gorgeously illustrated book that teaches a wonderful lesson about the spirit of generosity. Who can condemn the baker who is perfectly fair? St. Nicholas, cloaked as an old woman -- who shows him that by giving more of his own possessions, he will in turn receive greater rewards. This is a great way to teach young children about the the joy of giving, and about the life of St. Nicholas. The "truth" about Santa is that there WAS a saint who gave to the poor, filled stockings and dropped gold coins down chimneys at night -- this book could launch older kids on a study of the real saint's life and how Santa traditions arose. My six year old boys aren't ready for that part yet, but they love the story of the baker, and this year we're going to try to bake gingerbread cookies to resemble the baker's St. Nicholas cookies on St. Nicholas Day. (Some clever marketer ought to package this book with a cookie cutter and recipe, because the cookies are beautiful!)

This is a delightful story to read to your children during Advent, particularly around the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6.


I think this book is a nice change of pace for children who are already aware of who St. Nicholas is and his history as a bishop. This story is set in Albany, New York, probably in the 18th or 19th century. We just know that it was before modern times and certainly before the days of the super grocery stores!

The story centers on the baker, Van Amsterdam, a good baker and honest businessman who gives his customers exactly what they pay for, "not more and not less." Although that is very legal and very fair, it's not exactly fun is it? In the long run it also proves to be bad for business when a mysterious old woman enters the bakery and asks for 13 St. Nicholas Cookies and insists that 13 makes a dozen. When Van Amsterdam reiterates his motto and only gives her 12 cookies the old lady curses him as she leaves with the words, "Fall again, mount again, learn how to count again!"

After that Van Amsterdam's business falls off and his baking suffers. A dream of the good saint and his genorosity turn Van Amsterdam's heart around and changes his business practices. In the end he learns that a few freebies are actually good for business, and for his own heart!

The illustrations are colorful and interesting. My kids loved to look at the detail in them. This is another nice book to read during the Advent season!

This story tells how the term "a baker's dozen" (13, not 12) may have come to be. Here, a very honest baker always makes sure he gives each customer exactly what he pays for, no more and no less. One day, an old woman comes and demands a dozen cookies. The baker gives her twelve cookies. No, she emphasizes, a dozen is THIRTEEN. He refuses to give in, and she leaves disgruntled--and leaves him with bad luck. Later, the baker has a nightmare about being so miserly and in reality the townsfolk stop coming to his shop. Eventually the spirit of St. Nicholas helps him learn the joys of giving more than is expected.

I think this is the only story about St. Nicholas Day that I've come across (at least, in picture book form) and since we celebrated that as kids, I was delighted to discover it (thanks, Abigail!) The story is well-told and the illustrations are just marvelous. I especially love the first pages that show the sweet Dutch colonial village.

I appreciated many aspects of this story, and the overall message of generosity and giving more than is expected is a good one. However, I was a bit troubled by how it played out. I personally did not see anything wrong with the baker wanting to be fair regarding giving all customers exactly what they pay for. It did not seem to me that the old lady was particularly needy or destitute, just pushy, so why she should receive special treatment when other customers did not (or that the baker, simply because he had other cookies, had to give them away vs. reserving them for other paying customers or his own family) didn't really come across. The baker didn't really seem to commit any wrongdoing, in my opinion, and I felt the punishment was a bit harsh. Of course, the ultimate message is a good one but I felt it could have been delivered a bit better. Still, that is just my personal take and I am not docking any stars because I do think it was a well told story and beautifully illustrated.

The Baker's Dozen: A St. Nicholas Tale makes a wonderful story to add to your Christmas favorites. The cookie recipe is included so you can start a new family tradition baking gifts for your friends.

I've been looking for this book to use in my first grade classroom as part of our "December Holidays Around the World" unit but I'm NOT paying upwards of $[...] for it! It's even pricey on Ebay. Hear me oh REPRINT GODS....time to roll this one out again for another run!!!

The pictures in this book are fabulous! The attention to detail is fantastic and the story is wonderful. The only thing missing is a recipe for the cookies!

I portray Bishop Nicholas of Myra, the 4th century bishop of what is now Turkey. A local librabry asked Saint Nicholas to spend a day reading to the elementary school children of Tri-Village Schools in New Madison, Ohio. The librarian, Ann Riegle-Coursey, did some research for books with Bishop Nicholas as the central chatacter, books suitable to the children's ages. The Baker's Dozen:a Saint Nicholas Tale was one of the most delightful and lesson-bearing books chosen. I knew that the good Bishop would want to have it in his library for future engagements.

I bought this book about 10 years ago for the new hardback book price of $15 dollars. I thought the price now was a typo but I guess not! I am a regular purchaser of children's books at Christmas. I haven't any idea why the current price is so out of line. I suppose it is out of print. It is a shame as it is a delightful book that is an excellent addition to a Christmas collection. The mysterious woman (who is actually St. Nicholas) is a great discussion starter for older children. It is helpful to know the actual story of St. Nicholas which is easily available numerous places online. An excellent website is stnicholascenter.org. The Dutch people always celebrate St. Nicholas Day December 6. This is why the story is centered in the early Dutch settlement in NY. Eastern Orthodox Christians also celebrate the day to focus on the real man Bishop Nicholas of Myra. I am Orthodox so I am always looking for children's book that center on St. Nicholas rather than Santa Claus.

For the person looking for a cookie cutter like the one pictured, you will find some simple ones on the website I mentioned. I, of course wanted the real thing. I looked for a long time before I decided to make my own. You can purchase such a kit. We make over 50 cookies each year for our church St. Nicholas party. I just saw the "Insert a product link" I searched and they do carry a kit on Amazon: ASIN:B002WC8Y3O R & M International Design Your Own Cookie Cutter Gift Set

Other reviews discuss the story. If the price comes down or you have a large budget, buy it. The illustrations are amazing.

I gave this book to a 6 year old daughter of a close friend four years ago, and it became her favorite book for months. It still comes out on Christmas four years later.

I recommend it to any parent - especially if they live in the Albany, NY area.

After all the rave reviews I read about this book, it was a little disappointing in its content. I was pleased to find it for a good price after seeing some going for $50-60. Book was in pretty good condition except for a musty smell and two pages containing someone's dried boogers. I returned it and the seller was very gracious about it. I don't think it is a must-have Christmas book.