The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale

HONORSAmerican Bookseller Pick of the ListsTrumpet Book Club selectionValerie 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/////////////////////////////////////////////////SAMPLEIn the Dutch colonial town later known as Albany, New York, there lived a baker, Van Amsterdam, who was as honest as he could be. Each morning, he checked and balanced his scales, and he took great care to give his customers exactly what they paid for -- not more and not less.Van Amsterdam's shop was always busy, because people trusted him, and because he was a good baker as well. And never was the shop busier than in the days before December 6, when the Dutch celebrate Saint Nicholas Day.At that time of year, people flocked to the baker's shop to buy his fine Saint Nicholas cookies. Made of gingerbread, iced in red and white, they looked just like Saint Nicholas as the Dutch know him -- tall and thin, with a high, red bishop's cap, and a long, red bishop's cloak.One Saint Nicholas Day morning, the baker was just ready for business, when the door of his shop flew open. In walked an old woman, wrapped in a long black shawl."I have come for a dozen of your Saint Nicholas cookies."Taking a tray, Van Amsterdam counted out twelve cookies. He started to wrap them, but the woman reached out and stopped him."I asked for a dozen. You have given me only twelve.""Madam," said the baker, "everyone knows that a dozen is twelve.""But I say a dozen is thirteen," said the woman. "Give me one more."Van Amsterdam was not a man to bear foolishness. "Madam, my customers get exactly what they pay for -- not more and not less.""Then you may keep the cookies."The woman turned to go, but stopped at the door."Van Amsterdam! However honest you may be, your heart is small and your fist is tight. Fall again, mount again, learn how to count again!"Then she was gone. From the Inside Flap SELECTED PICTURE BOOKS FROM AARON SHEPARDTHE 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.