Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #691458 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-14
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .11" h x 8.48" w x 11.32" l, .36 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In the third century, long before "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" became associated with the Christmas season, the man who would one day inspire that legend lived in the Mediterranean coastal town of Patara (in what is now Turkey). For this informative picture-book biography, Tompert (Saint Patrick) weaves together some of the most striking legends related to St. Nicholas. Becoming a bishop at such a tender age that he was called the Boy Bishop, Nicholas performed miracles in caring for his people, and his deeds were later to make him the patron saint of such diverse groups as women seeking husbands, students, sailors and more. Though this volume lacks a central compelling drama, Tompert employs a swift-moving chronology to emphasize Nicholas's purity, selflessness and faith. Departing from the style of his previous works, Garland's (Angel Cat; Leah's Pony) jewel-toned, mixed-media paintings mimic stone mosaic work; each element is composed of a mesh of tiny blocks. One quibble: the characters' expressions range chiefly from somber to distressed, and the heavy mood may prove off-putting to young readers. An author's note describes how Nicholas was viewed throughout history, including his modern evolution into Santa Claus. Ages 6-up. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 2-4. Unlike the fact-based Saint Patrick (1998), the author's latest saint's biography draws from legend to create a picture-book portrait of Santa's fabled ancestor. After his parent's death from plague, the young saint goes to live with a bishop uncle, where he studies the priesthood and continues his family's tradition of charitable work. Brief, anecdotal text goes on to describe the legends that make Nicholas the patron of sailors, of young women seeking husbands, of students, and of all children. Engaging and simple, the text does include vocabulary and concepts, such as dowry, that younger readers will need help understanding. But Michael Garland's intriguing mixed-media illustrations help fill in the gaps. With the tiled look of mosaics, they extend the story's drama to sometimes-terrifying effect; a sky filled with looming, screeching skeletons depicts the plague, for example. Opening and closing author's notes briefly address the difference between fact and legend and explore the possible connections between Nicholas and Santa. Children interested in the lives of saints will find a good introduction here. Gillian Engberg
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