True Story of Saint Nicholas

By Rebecca Benson Haskell

Book Overview

Yes, there is a Saint Nicholas. A generous man and a bishopof the early Christian Church, he performed miracles. Today he is a patron saint to young people, sailors, and even prisoners. In this thoughtfully written book for parents and their children, Rebecca Benson Haskell, a great-grandmother from Marblehead, Massachusetts, tells the true story of the man we know as Santa Claus.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 091146929X
• ISBN13: 9780911469295
• Release Date: November 1997
• Publisher: Alan C Hood & Company
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.9" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A wonderful resource

This little book is a wonderful remembrance of the real Saint Nicholas, who has a feast day (Dec. 6) in liturgical Christian traditions. It explains the roots of our contemporary fantastical Santa in the historical bishop of the early church. An excellent tool for helping transition children who are at "the age of disbelieving."

A good book to read with children on December 6.

For those who include sharing stories of the saint's life in their celebration of St. Nicholas Day, this would be a great book to read aloud with children. It is also a good place for adults who wonder what Santa Claus has to do with Christmas to begin. The tone is gentle, and the text provides a simplified version of St. Nicholas's life as well as many of his most well known miracles. These include St. Nicholas providing dowries for the three poor sisters, St. Nicholas calming the storm at sea and restoring the sailor to life, and St. Nicholas rescuing the three innocent generals moments before their execution. (The story of St. Nicholas restoring to life the three murdered students is omitted.) Other recommended St. Nicholas Day books are The Legend of Saint Nicholas and Wonderworker: The True Story of How Saint Nicholas Became Santa Claus.