The Secret of St. Nicholas

by Ellen Cook Nibali, Lon Eric Craven (Illustrator)

The orphan Nicholas learns of three girls being sold into slavery by their father. Inspired by Jesus, Nicholas sneaks over at night and throws a bag of gold for dowries through their window. It lands in a stocking. One daughter is wed, but the father keeps wasting gold until Nicholas is down to his last bag of gold. What should he do? Can he save the girl and keep his giving a secret? Almost two thousand years later, St. Nicholas still comes secretly at night, putting surprises in children's stockings.

Genres: Christmas

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 6, 2008

Reviews

[Terry]

The illustrations are wonderful, and I love the potential this book offers. There is a true story here, and the author makes a wonderful connection between the stockings hanging on the line and the stockings filled for children today. Families interested in learning more about the real Saint Nicholas will enjoy sharing this story.

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[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been interesting to read several accounts of Nicholas of Myra recently. This iteration of the myth/history adds more excitement, with the gold pouch landing in a stocking accidentally, then on purpose, and a chase at the end.

I was interested in the issue raised by the title and the old man's broken promise at the end. The nobleman who squandered earlier gifts had promised to keep Nicholas's secret, but he can't help it in the end, and he tells his girls who provided money for their dowries (keeping them from the slave trade). Because the old man broke his promise, news of Nicholas's good deeds spread, and if there is any truth to this account, we now have a joy-bringing legendary character based on a historical figure whose secret was shared by an old man who broke his promise and failed to keep Nicholas's secret (perhaps also based on pagan elements). But isn't that the way God works through history? Flawed people (and pagan mythology) serve God's purposes. God draws straight lines with crooked sticks.

Illustrations are pretty good.

[Vicki Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not just for children and not just for Christmas. It is a new family classic. Great to read aloud and has beautiful illustrations to show your audience. Teaches a lesson we all need to learn. A perfect gift book.

[Meg Macgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a Christmas must read in our house. My kids love it. It tells the story of St. Nicholas and the true meaning of Christmas. It is a great book to put the Christmas holiday in perspective and at the same time, teaches you about one of the great saints.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is now part of our Christmas library. The kids like the story; I like the historical connections. The art is well-done. The last 3 pages could have been condensed into a one-page author's note or postscript, thus ending the story with the word, "Nicholas."