The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi

Demi. The Legend of Saint Nicholas. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003.

Born in A.D. 280 in what is now Turkey, legend has it that the the boy who would become Saint Nicholas preferred praying to all other pursuits including eating and playing. Known today by many names including St. Nicholas, Sinter Klaas, and Santa Claus; Saint Nicholas is the patron saint "not only of seafarers, children, and prisoners, but also of pilgrims, travelers, voyagers, maidens, choirboys, firefighters, stonemasons, weavers, and butchers." The author centers gilt framed paint and ink illustrations, that combine an ancient stained-glass-look with modern touches such as blond children and bright red Christmas stockings, on the cream-colored pages. Author Demi's combination of ancient and modern illustrations compliment the text's depiction of both the legend and the man. Children ages 7 to 10 will enjoy reading both the legend and the facts included in this biography of the man who, more than 1700 years after his birth, is still known world-wide.