Legend of the Candy Cane, The (Hardcover)

~ Lori Walburg VandenBosch (Author), (Illustrator) "One dreary evening in the depths of November a stranger rode into town..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

For those who cringe at the creeping materialism surrounding Christmas, a pious story about the origins of the candy cane is definitely a change of pace. A stranger arrives in town one dreary November and begins hammering and sawing away at his newly rented storefront. When a small girl offers her help, she's in for a childhood fantasy-come-true, as it turns out all the shelves and counters are being built for a candy shop. After offering young Lucy gumdrops and lollipops, Mr. Sonneman launches into the history of the candy cane. With his guidance, she discovers that the upturned candy is in the shape of a j--for Jesus. Right side up it looks like a shepherd's staff. And the red stripes? The blood of Christ from his terrible whipping. Lucy and Mr. Sonneman set out on a quest to share this story with everyone in town. Their message (and their gift of the pepperminty red-and-white sticks) brings the whole town together in a joyful celebration of Christmas (and candy).

James Bernardin's old-timey acrylic and colored pencil illustrations are reminiscent of Norman Rockwell, but depict both modern and biblical times. Candy canes will never taste quite the same again. (Ages 6 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Featuring a keepsake edition of The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg, illus. by James Bernardin, The Legend of the Candy Cane Gift Set also includes an enhanced CD (with a reading of the story, carols, screensaver and wallpaper) plus a candy-cane ornament. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz (October 19, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310212472
• ISBN-13: 978-0310212478
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,151 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #23 in	Books > Children's Books > Religions > Christianity > Ages 4-8
  #31 in	Books > Children's Books > Religions > Christianity > Christian
  #36 in	Books > Children's Books > Religions > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It brought tears to my eyes., June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This is the most beautiful story I've ever read. Whether it's Christmas time or the fourth of July, I love reading this book with my younger relatives. It tells the story of the candy cane with so much emphasis on Jesus. Christmas has become very materialistic to children, but books like this put things in perspective. It takes an ordinary candy and makes it a symbol for Jesus- his death and his purity. This is my all time favorite childrens book.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars YIKES! CREEPY!!, December 13, 2007

By	H. Spencer "Army Wife and Mom" (Fort Belvoir, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had always grown up hearing about the legend of the candy cane and was excited to find a book detailing the legend. My four boys and I settled in to read, at first I was pleased with the artwork, very nice, but as the story went on I spent more time talking to my boys about STRANGER DANGER then about the actual legend of the Candy Cane! I don't care what time frame this book is set in, it is totally inappropriate to have a small girl "hanging out" with a middle aged man that NO ONE in the town knows!! People are kidding themselves if they think there weren't perverts "back then" too!!! If my son hadn't thrown away the book jacket we would be sending this one back. Guess it will go to Good Will. Look for another book if you are trying to teach your kiddos about the Legend of the Candy Cane.

16 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disturbingly inappropriate, July 28, 2005

By	S. C Sochet "samerator" (syosset, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I realize that this will not be a popular view for many folks who are interested in this book. It is just my opinion. I found this book to have some strange suggestions even though I am sure the authors have the best of intentions. Having a young girl alone with an older stranger is not my idea of good advice for our children. I hope you understand my concern. Try reading it from a slightly different viewpoint and you will see what I mean.