Shoemaker Martin (North-South Paperback)

By Leo Tolstoj and Leo Tolstoy

Book Overview

This beautiful story about sharing is a joy to read at Christmas or anytime throughout the year!

Re-designed in celebration of 50 years of working with Bernadette Watts--one of Europe's most recognized and beloved fairy-tale artists, this story is sure to win new fans as well as pleasing existing ones!

Martin, a Russian shoemaker, wishes to meet Jesus. Instead he finds three strangers in need. After showing kindness towards each one, Martin learns that it was Jesus who visited him three times. Written by Leo Tolstoy and illustrated by one of Europe's most beloved illustrators, Bernadette Watts, this story of compassion is as relevant today as when it was first conceived.

Praise for Bernadette Watts
Little Red Riding Hood, "My what big talent she has!" -- Kirkus Reviews
The Three Little Pigs, "A marvelous offering that begs to be added to everyone's storytelling repertoire." -- School Library Journal

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 073584304X
• ISBN13: 9780735843042
• Release Date: January 2018
• Publisher: Northsouth Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.7" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Tolstoy at his best.

This book is one of the best children's book ever written. Well worth an effort to add this book to your library.

my book of the year

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!

Love your neighbor

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.