The Real Santa Claus: Legends of Saint Nicholas (Phyllis Fogelman Books) [Hardcover]

Marianna Mayer (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Phyllis Fogelman Books

For most of us, young and old, Santa Claus is a jolly old man, looking exactly as he is described in the classic poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." In fact, few people realize that there was a real Saint Nicholas. He was the Bishop of Myra and lived during the fourth century. In this beautifully illustrated and richly designed book, Marianna Mayer creates an inviting portrait of the man who became legendary for his generosity and miraculous acts of kindness. Using a similar elegant format as in her critically acclaimed title The Twelve Apostles, Mayer pairs each story of a famous miracle with exquisite reproductions of medieval and Renaissance paintings.

But when did St. Nicholas become known as Santa Claus? Mayer's knowledgeable introduction and concluding note, as well as the familiar poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," all help to shed light on this amazing transformation. Her beautiful book captures the spirit of Christmas and will fascinate readers of all ages.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this worthy companion to her other works about religious figures, Mayer (Young Jesus of Nazareth) uses several brief stories to introduce the fourth-century orphan boy turned miracle-working bishop who inspired the modern holiday image of Santa Claus/Father Christmas. Masterpieces from European museums and churches illustrate scenes from the saint's life; laid out on pages framed and accented with gold paint, they create a setting far more elegant and reverent than the nostalgic cover art would suggest. Clement C. Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas" opens the volume on a festive and familiar note. All ages.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 3 Up-This handsome biography of Saint Nicholas is going to be more useful for saint assignments than as a Christmas book as many parents and their children will be most unhappy to be told right up front that "those longed-for gifts found under the Christmas tree are not after all left by him." Mayer starts with Clement Moore's poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" and then leaves the Christmas holiday to provide a brief biography of the saint who died in A.D. 343. The prose is readable and direct. While some might question the author's matter-of-fact portrayal of miracles, children using this book for a report probably won't have a problem with it. Utilizing reproductions (a few of which are quite blurry) of religious art, dominated by stiff and formal works by artists from the Middle Ages, this offering probably holds more appeal for adults than it does for children. A list of illustrations cites page numbers, but, unfortunately, the text is unpaged.-A. C.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803726244
• ISBN-13: 978-0803726246
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,314,954 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CHRISTMAS BOOK TO ENJOY FROM YEAR TO YEAR, October 16, 2001

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Real Santa Claus: Legends of Saint Nicholas (Phyllis Fogelman Books) (Hardcover)

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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not a good choice for young readers, January 14, 2007

By 

P. C. Thompson (Ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Real Santa Claus: Legends of Saint Nicholas (Phyllis Fogelman Books) (Hardcover)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Spirit of Christmas, May 15, 2006

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Real Santa Claus: Legends of Saint Nicholas (Phyllis Fogelman Books) (Hardcover)

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.