Shoemaker Martin [Hardcover]

L. Tolstoy (Author), B. Watts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1986

After showing kindness towards three strangers, a Russian shoemaker learns that Jesus visited him three times.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Nikolai Tolstoy is a highly recognized and acclaimed historian and biographer. He was the sole beneficiary of his stepfather's will and is one of the trustees of O'Brian's estate.

Bernadette Watts has loved to draw since her childhood in England. She created her first picture book under the influence of Beatrix Potter. Watts studied at the Maidstone Art School in Kent and is the illustrator of North South fairy tales The Snow Queen and The Ugly Duckling.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: North-South (September 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558580441
• ISBN-13: 978-1558580442
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my book of the year, November 24, 2002

By 

NotATameLion (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shoemaker Martin (North-South Paperback) (Paperback)

Shoemaker Martin wins my 2nd Annual "best book read this year for the first time award." This little children's adaptation of a story by Leo Tolstoy blows away all the other books I read for the first time this year. There is no book that I have reviewed this year that I recommend more highly.

This is the story of Martin. Martin is a Russian man who spends his days mending shoes and his nights in the pleasurable reading of the Bible. One night, after reading how a rich man invited Jesus to stay at his house, Martin wishes that he could invite Jesus to his house and wonders what he would do if Jesus actually showed up.

The rest of the book is the story of what happens when Jesus comes. It is a story told with wonderfully spare language. Mrs. Watts' beautiful illustrations add to the warm feeling of this wintery tale.

There are few things I have ever reviewed that I recommend more than Shoemaker Martin--get this book!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love your neighbor, December 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Shoemaker Martin (North-South Paperback) (Paperback)

Martin the shoemaker reads the scripture passage about an "unimportant" woman washing Jesus' feet while he was at dinner at an "important" person's house. Martin wonders how he would welcome the Lord if he came to Martin's house. That night Martin wakes up to see Jesus standing in the room and saying "tomorrow I am coming." Martin thinks its just a dream. The next morning Martin encounters several people that are in need in one way or another. That night Martin hears a voice that says something like - see, I did come just as I said I would. I was the woman that needed clothing and the man whom you fed and the boy to whom you were kind... etc. So, the message of this book is: Whatsoever you do to the least of my brother, that you do unto me.

This is a wonderful book. I've used it often in Sunday school and vacation bible school classes. I highly recommend it.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I have found for children yet., April 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Shoemaker Martin (Hardcover)

I loved this book because it is one of the few children's books that has real feeling. It underscores the true principal of Christianity in a way that children are able to understand. I bought this book for a little girl who became so attached to the book, she carried it around with her everywhere, and even slept with it, she loved it so much. I highly recommend this book for any child.