Customer Reviews

Legend of the Christmas Stocking

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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!!

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!

This is a must for everyone who loves Christmas and children's books. I purchase books for grandchildren, neices an newphews, I purchase books to keep so that I can read to my grandchildren. This is a classic.

Was my first time ordering books from Amazon and have been happy with all. Arrived in great condition and will be given to grandchildren for Christmas. They looked new.

A great story of Christmas for anyone of any age. A holiday story that's fun for the whole family to enjoy each Christmas season.

This book, The Legend of the Christmas Stocking, is amazing. I was just searching through children's books and it sounded fantastic. For being a small book the story is really deep and inspiring. I love board books because they will last forever and many generations will be able to enjoy them.
In The Legend of the Christmas Stocking you will find out how the Christmas stocking came to be and also the main character, Peter learns the lesson that Christmas is about giving not getting and how he shared with all that he had.
I highly recommend this book to you because it is such an enjoyable read and the pictures are so beautiful. I also love a book that has a message to share and has something to teach us. This will make a lovely addition to your Christmas book collection. I really am glad I got it.


Thank you to Zonderkidz for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

My daughter and I love this story and it is good for kids who take things for granted to see that
not everyone has everything they desire.
Kids can see how kindness is important and how a kind act can make a difference.

I have a Christmas book collection and this is a very good addition to it. Short, clear story, great illustrations.