Synopsis
#1 AMAZON BESTSELLER IN CHRISTMAS BOOKS (MAY 2018)
#1 AMAZON BESTSELLER IN CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS BOOKS (NOV. 2013)
#1 KINDLE BESTSELLER IN CHILDREN'S HISTORICAL FICTION (DEC. 2018)
#1 KINDLE BESTSELLER IN MULTICULTURAL FOLK TALES (DEC. 2018)
#1 KINDLE BESTSELLER IN SAINTS & SAINTHOOD (DEC. 2021)
#1 KINDLE BESTSELLER IN CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP (DEC. 2021)
#1 KINDLE BESTSELLER IN CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES (DEC. 2018)
#1 KINDLE BESTSELLER IN FOOD HISTORY (DEC. 2021)
Why not give more?
Van Amsterdam the baker was well known for his honesty as well as for his fine Saint Nicholas cookies. He always gave his customers exactly what they paid for -- not more and not less. So, he was not about to give in when a mysterious old woman comes to him on Saint Nicholas Day and insists that a dozen is thirteen!
The woman's curse puts an end to the baker's business, and he believes it would take Saint Nicholas to help him. But if he receives that help, will it be exactly what he imagined?
Find out in this inspiring legend from Dutch colonial New York about the birth of an honored American custom.
TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT FOR THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE" OR ON AARON'S WEB SITE.
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Aaron Shepard's many books for young people have won honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the American Folklore Society, and the National Council for the Social Studies. Once a professional storyteller, he specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature.
Wendy Edelson has been honored with the Pacific Northwest Book Award, the Moonbeam Children's Book Award, and the Mom's Choice Award. Besides illustrating numerous picture books, she has provided art for Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the U.S. Postal Service, Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education, and the American Library Association.
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HONORS
American Bookseller Pick of the Lists
Trumpet Book Club selection
Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children
"The good will of legendary Saint Nick resonates in this tale about the origin of the term 'baker's dozen.' . . . Shepard's easy-to-follow retelling has an appropriate Old World flavor." -- Publishers Weekly, Sept. 18, 1995
"A particularly nice holiday story accented by paintings full of detail. . . . Well-paced and a good length for groups or individuals, this is right on target for audiences. Edelson's artwork is filled with marvelously alive characters who almost step from the pages." -- Ilene Cooper, Booklist, Sept. 15, 1995
"A lush new version of a traditional tale. . . . Well-chosen words and a nicely paced text that begs to be told aloud. A treat for the holiday season." -- School Library Journal, Oct. 1995
"Aaron Shepard retells a favorite colonial legend with the voice of the storyteller." -- Jan Lieberman, TNT, Fall 1995
"A fine tale of generosity for St. Nicholas Day or any day." -- Marilyn McPhie, Storybag, Special Review Issue 1997
"A story with a message to be heard during the holidays and all year long." -- Children's Book Review
From the Inside Flap
SELECTED PICTURE BOOKS FROM AARON SHEPARD
THE BAKER'S DOZEN: A Saint Nicholas Tale. Illustrated by Wendy Edelson. Van Amsterdam, the baker, is as honest as he can be -- but he may have something left to learn. Ages 4 to 13.
THE SEA KING'S DAUGHTER: A Russian Legend. Illustrated by Gennady Spirin. A poor musician is invited to play in the Sea King's palace, where he's offered more than riches. An A.L.A. Notable and N.Y. Times Best Illustrated. Ages 7 and up.
PRINCESS OF INDIA: An Ancient Tale. Illustrated by Vera Rosenberry. The princess Savitri must use all her wit and will to save her husband from the god of death. A California Collection selection. Ages 7 and up.
THE LEGEND OF LIGHTNING LARRY. Illustrated by Toni Goffe. A cowboy with a huge smile, a gun that shoots bolts of light, and a hankering for lemonade takes on Evil-Eye McNeevil's outlaw gang. Ages 4 to 12.
QUACKLING: A Feathered Fairy Tale. Illustrated by Wendy Edelson. Quackling wants the money back he lent to the King, but he'll need the help of some very good friends! Ages 3 to 9.
THE ADVENTURES OF MOUSE DEER: Tales of Indonesia and Malaysia. Illustrated by Kim Gamble. Mouse Deer is small, and many animals want to eat him -- but first they have to catch him! Ages 4 to 9.
WHICH SHOES DO YOU CHOOSE? Illustrated by Wendy Edelson. Katie goes to the store to buy shoes -- but with so many wondrous choices, how can she ever decide? Ages 2 to 8.
SKEETER AND THE WEASELS. Illustrated by Anne L. Watson. One day Skeeter noticed there were a lot of weasels. Ages 5 to 9.
CHRISTMAS TRUCE. Illustrated by Wendy Edelson. A true story of peace in the midst of World War I. Ages 9 and up.
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