Legend of the Christmas Stocking [Hardcover]

Rick Osborne (Author), Jim Griffin (Illustrator), James Griffin (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

This wonderful Christmas tale, set in the late 1800s, shares the touching story of a young boy named Peter. He sells newspapers to help his family while his father is away at sea, and he's been saving a bit of his earnings to buy a model schooner in the woodworker's shop. But after Uncle Jim, the woodworker, tells him the story of St. Nicholas, Peter discovers the meaning behind the hanging and filling of Christmas stockings and learns a heartfelt lesson in kindness and generosity. Filled with the rich, realistic illustrations of Jim Griffin, children ages 4 to 8 will discover the depth of God's love shown through others as they learn the Christian meaning revealed in The Legend of the Christmas Stocking. Through imaginative and innovative products, Zonderkidz is feeding young souls.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This wonderful Christmas tale, set in the late 1800s, shares the touching story of a young boy named Peter. He sells newspapers to help his family while his father is away at sea, and he’s been saving a bit of his earnings to buy a model schooner in the woodworker’s shop. But after Uncle Jim, the woodworker, tells him the story of St. Nicholas, Peter discovers the meaning behind the hanging and filling of Christmas stockings and learns a heartfelt lesson in kindness and generosity. Filled with the rich, realistic illustrations of Jim Griffin, children ages 4 to 8 will discover the depth of God's love shown through others as they learn the Christian meaning revealed in The Legend of the Christmas Stocking.

Through imaginative and innovative products, Zonderkidz is feeding young souls.

About the Author

Growing up, Rick Osborne really liked Superman. Superman did what was right, he did cool things that other people couldn't do, and he never quit. The Bible is full of great Superman-type stories where God helps good guys battle evil guys with his awesome supernatural help. By telling these stories, Rick loves to help boys see the real-life superhero that God wants each of them to be. Rick lives with his family up north in Canada, closer to where Superman built his fortress.

Jim Griffin, illustrator and award-winning artist, studied at the renowned Pratt Institute. His work has been shown in numerous exhibitions and can be found in prestigious private collections.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz; R edition (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310708982
• ISBN-13: 978-0310708988
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 11.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, November 30, 2008

By 

itsjustme (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legend of the Christmas Stocking (Hardcover)

One of the keys to Christmas is generosity, and "The Legend of the Christmas Stocking" by Rick Osborne is a great way to emphasize this with our children.

In this children's adaptation of the bestselling adult's book of the same title, we're taken back to Victorian times when a young boy named Peter is anxiously awaiting the return of his father's ship. He's also anxiously awaiting the day he can purchase a fine model of that ship, with money he's earned selling newspapers. But Uncle Jim asks: "What if your dad doesn't get back by Christmas? Would you be willing to use the money you saved to buy presents for your family instead?" Peter's is the only available money for Christmas presents, but Peter can't bear the thought of not getting his much longed for model. Can he really sacrifice his own wants for that of his sisters'?

Then Pastor Spring preaches a sermon on giving, telling his congregation the story of St. Nicholas, who knew three young women who could not afford a dowry, and therefore would never be able to marry. Secretly, he tossed bags of gold through two of their windows, ensuring the girls a more pleasant future. With the last girl, the gold lands in her stocking, which has been hung over the fireplace to dry. Pastor Spring says:

"Nicholas served God. He knew that God gave us Jesus, even though we didn't deserve him. When we give, it shows God's love."

Hearing this, Peter asks God to help him be more giving. On Christmas morning, his sisters find gifts in their Christmas stockings, and just as his mother opens the present Peter has given her, Peter's father bursts through the door and presents Peter with the model ship he's so wanted.

What I Like: Children will recognize themselves in this story's protagonist; Peter struggles with his desire to give and his own selfishness, just as most of us do. It's also nice that this book gives a peek at the story of the real Santa Claus. The illustrations by Jim Griffin are beautiful - realistic, compelling, and detailed.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Kristina Seleshanko
Managing Editor, Christian Children's Book Review

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful Christmas story, October 11, 2005

By 

Mikal (Maple Ridge, BC Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legend of the Christmas Stocking (Hardcover)

This is such a sweet, classic book with a wonderful lesson weaved throughout it. It blends fiction and history together seemlessly and provides children with a better understanding of what Christmas really means.

Highly recommended!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sharing Christmas Stories, March 15, 2009

By 

Susan "Susan" (Sonora, US, Canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Legend of the Christmas Stocking (Hardcover)

I sent this book to my grandchildren a couple of states away. It's a Christmas ritual that I send several Christmas books for them..it's more fun for me than for them I think. I got raving reviews from all of them. The children are 6,4,and 2. They wanted mommy and daddy to read it over and over again. I was so pleased they enjoyed it so much!