The Legend Of St. Nicholas - Dandi Daley Mackall

THE LEGEND OF ST. NICHOLAS: A Story of Christmas Giving
Author: Dandi Daley Mackall
Illustrator: Guy Porfirio
ZonderKidz
ISBN-10: 0310713277
October 2007
Fiction: Children's Fiction/Picture Book Ages 4-8
www.zonderkidz.com
Reviewed by L.L. Woodard

THE LEGEND OF ST. NICHOLAS poses a problem for this reviewer: It is impossible to know which to praise higher—the story or the illustrations. Having read the book with its bright, colorful pictures accompanying the author's story illustrating the joy of giving, it is tough to picture one without the other. The story, told beautifully, includes a rendition of the original St. Nick as well as the Christian theme of the wise men.

Not only was I delighted with the book which delivers its message without preachiness, but so were my grandchildren, ages three, four, and eleven. True enough, the eleven-year-old found the book to be “kiddish,” she nevertheless enjoyed it, ooohing and ahhing at the delightful illustrations that fairly pop from the pages. The faces of the people in the story seem lifelike enough to be photographs.

And although this is a Christmas story, it is a book that could be enjoyed throughout the year. Parents and children alike will be delighted with THE LEGEND OF ST. NICHOLAS.