The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale

by Aaron Shepard, Wendy Edelson (Illustrator)

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Why not give more?

Van Amsterdam the baker was well known for his honesty as well as for his fine Saint Nicholas cookies. He always gave his customers exactly what they paid for -- not more and not less. So, he was not about to give in when a mysterious old woman comes to him on Saint Nicholas Day and insists that a dozen is thirteen!

The woman's curse puts an end to the baker's business, and he believes it would take Saint Nicholas to help him. But if he receives that help, will it be exactly what he imagined?

Find out in this inspiring legend from Dutch colonial New York about the birth of an honored American custom.

TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE," OR FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE.

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Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Sea King's Daughter," and many more children's books. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society.

Wendy Edelson has applied her award-winning skills to a wide range of illustration projects, including picture books, pet portraits, posters, and puzzles. Among her clients have been Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the U.S. Postal Service, Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education, and the American Library Association.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Historical Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Aaron Shepard is the author of many books, stories, and scripts for young people, as well as professional books and resources for writers and educators. He has also worked professionally in both storytelling and reader's theater, as a performer, director, and teacher trainer. Aaron's lively and meticulous retellings of folktales and other traditional literature have found homes with more than a dozen children's book publishers, large and small, and with the world's top children's literary magazines, winning him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. His extensive Web site, visited by thousands of teachers and librarians each week, is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater, while his stories and scripts have been featured in textbooks from publishers worldwide, including Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, SRA, The College Board, Pearson Education, National Geographic, Oxford University Press, Barron's, Hodder Education, and McGraw-Hill.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I seem to be in the minority of reviewers on this one; I didn’t care for the message put forth. Being honest and fair is not rewarded but giving in to random and self-serving customer demands is?

I was reminded of customers who think they are always right, no matter what, and that businesses should bend over backwards to accommodate their wants and demands. A business can’t afford to be generous to everyone or they won’t stay in business long. Prices will have to go up to account for the “free” merchandise being “generously” given away thus making it no longer a generous act. Besides that, generosity should come freely and willingly from the spirit and not be coerced out by unscrupulous individuals under the pretext of kindness and generosity.

I did enjoy the charming detailed illustrations but I think there are better ways to inspire kindheartedness and a giving spirit.

[Annet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous book, beautiful pictures, festive Xmas spirit.
In Holland we know Sinterklaas, a saint of ancient history and a festive day for kids on 5th December. This story relates to Sinterklaas (Saint Nicolas). Including a recipe for cookies ;-)
Recommended in these days of festive spirit!

[PattyMacDotComma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edited to add a couple of colourful illustrations

4★
This 2010 edition was for the 15th anniversary of its 1995 original publication. It should be just as welcome a gift for children today, 21 years later, as it was then.

This lovely folktale is about why bakers add a thirteenth item to make a baker’s dozen. I’ve read a couple of possible explanations (one is to ensure the dozen isn’t underweight), but I prefer this one.

It takes place in Ye Olde colonial somewhere which later becomes Albany, NY. Heavy Dutch influence, Dutch St Nicholas, Dutch cookies, Dutch designs. Gorgeous!

Illustration of town and St Nicholas

Van Amsterdam is a popular, prosperous baker who prides himself on his honesty.

“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, prosperous baker

The Dutch celebrate St Nicholas Day on Dec 6, and his shop is always buzzing with shoppers before this busy holiday. People wait for his St Nicholas cookies.

That is, he’s popular until he refuses an extra St Nicholas gingerbread cookie to an old lady who insists that a dozen is 13, not 12. The old lady responds by declaring:

“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 then on, his baking went wrong and his business dwindled. A year later, he’s ready to shut up shop when he has a dream where he learns about giving a little more than is asked for.

And that’s where I’ll leave you, gentle reader, although I will reveal (without a Spoiler Alert) that OF COURSE IT HAS A HAPPY ENDING! Plus a recipe to bake your own gingerbread St Nicks in the traditional Dutch style.

It also has gorgeous illustrations, the kind of rich, complex pictures that make you want to spot things. Ask children to find all the cats and the ones watching the mouse; find all the people with their tongues stuck out; find all the yummy breads and describe their shapes; count the St Nicholas cookies.

Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhook Press for allowing me a preview copy of the wonderful anniversary edition of such a delightful book.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Shepard’s Saint Nicholas tale of the origin of the “Baker’s Dozen,” and how it came to be is nothing less than charming with a nice “lesson” for all. A storyteller by (former) profession, he brings this story to life with a fairy-tale essence, and a lesson that is always relevant. To give credit where credit is certainly due, the illustrations by Wendy Edelson in this tale bring the story even further to life, they are beautifully done, bright and colourful intricately drawn and with an old-world charm. Gorgeous to look at, a nice life lesson for little ones, gently shared, just in time to muster as much generosity of spirit as you can.

In addition to the story, this edition (15th Anniversary Edition) comes with Bonus Cookie Recipe and Pattern for St. Nicholas Christmas Cookies that was adapted from baking with a cookie mold recipe to use with just a cookie sheet.

For those of you who have little ones, those who love beautifully illustrated children’s books, those who like to bake holiday cookies, or those who love to gift thoughtful “welcome” gifts to new neighbors, I highly recommend this.

Especially for teachers working with young students, or for anyone wanting to know more about the author, his website: www.aaronshep.com


Original Pub Date: 6 Dec 2010

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Skyhook Press, NetGalley and author Aaron Shepard and illustrator Wendy Edelson

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Baker’s Dozen, is a modern take on a traditional tale of why a baker’s dozen is thirteen and not twelve.

Van Amsterdam, runs his little bakery in Albany, New York, a Dutch Colonial. Every day he prepares his goods, and makes sure that he weighs out his ingredients perfectly, as he likes to be a very honest man and give nothing less, nor nothing more than what his customers are paying for.

In the lead up to Saint Nicholas day, which is celebrated on the 6th December, by the Dutch, Van Amsterdam was very busy. His famous Saint Nicholas cookies were selling very well. That is until an old lady comes in and asks for a dozen of them. He counts them out, twelve cookies, but she insists that a dozen in thirteen. When Van Amsterdam won’t let her have thirteen for the price of twelve, she leaves, but not before telling him, ‘Fall again, mount again, learnt to count again’.

Over the next year, his bread and cakes turn out badly and his customers start to go elsewhere. Has the old woman put a curse on him?, and how can he make his shop successful again?

I’ve never really given much thought as to why a bakers dozen is thirteen, but I love this folk tale about why it came to be.

The illustrations have an old feel to them, just like you will find in a traditional book. The story is attention grabbing, and has you thinking that sometimes doing just enough isn’t good enough, and going that extra mile can make someones day.

A perfect book for the holiday season, that I’m sure young children will love.

Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story tells how the term "a baker's dozen" (13, not 12) may have come to be. Here, a very honest baker always makes sure he gives each customer exactly what he pays for, no more and no less. One day, an old woman comes and demands a dozen cookies. The baker gives her twelve cookies. No, she emphasizes, a dozen is THIRTEEN. He refuses to give in, and she leaves disgruntled--and leaves him with bad luck. Later, the baker has a nightmare about being so "miserly" and in reality the townsfolk stop coming to his shop. Eventually the spirit of St. Nicholas helps him learn the joys of giving more than is expected.

I think this is the only story about St. Nicholas Day that I've come across (at least, in picture book form) and since we celebrated that as kids, I was delighted to discover it (thanks, Abigail!) The story is well-told and the illustrations are just marvelous. I especially love the first pages that show the sweet Dutch colonial village.

I appreciated many aspects of this story, and the overall message of generosity and giving more than is expected is a good one. However, I was a bit troubled by how it played out. I personally did not see anything wrong with the baker wanting to be fair regarding giving all customers exactly what they pay for. It did not seem to me that the old lady was particularly needy or destitute, just pushy, so why she should receive special treatment when other customers did not (or that the baker, simply because he had other cookies, had to give them away vs. reserving them for other paying customers or his own family) didn't really come across. The baker didn't really seem to commit any wrongdoing, in my opinion, and I felt the punishment was a bit harsh. Of course, the ultimate message is a good one but I felt it could have been delivered a bit better. Still, that is just my personal take and I am not docking any stars because I do think it was a well told story and beautifully illustrated.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are period perfect and full of detail. I especially love the cat sleeping on the same bed as the baker.

I’ve been familiar since childhood with 13 equaling a baker’s dozen, and this was a fun tale of how a dozen might have come to mean 13 vs. 12 where bakery goods are concerned.

I think this is the only Saint Nicholas Day story I’ve ever read and I can heartily recommend it. It reads like an original fairy tale. I cared about the baker. The message re Saint Nicholas’s generosity and of being generous is a good one. And the cookies look delicious and festive. It’s a fun story with wonderful pictures.

I would have loved an author’s note about the actual history of a baker’s dozen.

a bit more than 4 stars

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am if truth be told more than a bit conflicted regarding the presented storyline and thematics of The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale. Sure and indeed, I do very much appreciate encountering with The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale a story that is basically a pourquoi tale explaining how the tradition of the baker's dozen came to be (of twelve cookies, buns and the like actually equalling thirteen at bakeries) and that I also am pleased with author (or more to the point reteller) Aaron Shepard providing his wife Anne L. Watson’s recipe for Saint Nicholas cookies from her cookbook Baking With Cookie Molds (as well as Watson’s website), an author's note featuring two literary sources and Shepard’s homepage for additional resources and information (although I do wish that the author's note for The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale would also present general background information on Dutch Saint Nicholas customs and how colonists to what is now the USA obviously brought with them and carried on these traditions, and not to mention that in my opinion, since The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale is a story of Dutch colonists, Aaron Shepard should really be calling Saint Nicholas Sinter Klaas in his text or at least pointing out that the Dutch would be calling Saint Nicholas Sinter Klaas).

But well, but truly, as much as I have found The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale richly folklorically interesting, nicely textually flowing and that I also think Wendy Edelson's accompanying artwork does a very nice and lushly realistic job visually mirroring Aaron Shepard’s words and illustratively representing Dutch colonial life in what is now the state of New York (including Edelson showing a number of Sinter Klaas conventions, and that her Sinter Klaas figure looks like a bishop, travels on a white horse and does thankfully not resemble Santa Claus), sorry, but I actually do not really find the specific contents of The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale all that textually appealing, I just do not really like this story all that much in and of itself (and The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale being a traditional tale of Dutch American folklore does not and cannot change this). For I simply do not understand and cannot without personal reservations accept that Van Amsterdam the baker would need to be and deserves to be cursed by that old woman (who seems to be Sinter Klaas in disguise) for being fair, for not giving out extra cookies, bread etc., since I could perhaps understand a curse if Van Amsterdam were cheating his customers or were being deliberately nasty to them, but that being cursed for being fair and just (even if to the letter, even if not actually altruistic and magnanimous) just seems rather overly extreme a reaction and behaviour to me (and that due to this, my appreciation of Aaron Shepard’s words and of Wendy Edelson’s illustrations is just not enough for more than a three star rating for The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale).

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Known for his scrupulous honesty, Van Amsterdam the baker, who lived in the colonial Dutch settlement that would one day become the city of Albany, gave his customers exactly what they ordered: no more and no less. When an old woman comes into his shop on Saint Nicholas Day (December 6th), and demands a dozen of his special cookies, in the shape of the saint himself, he carefully counts out twelve of his best, only to be brought up short by the woman's insistence that he had counted incorrectly, and that a dozen should be numbered thirteen. Refusing to give in, and add a cookie to the package, Van Amsterdam finds, after the woman storms out, declaring: "Fall again, mount again, learn how to count again!," that his fortunes suddenly take a turn for the worse. After a year in which his business slowly goes to ruin, Van Amsterdam once again confronts the old woman in his shop, but this time, having had a revelatory dream involving Saint Nicholas himself, he behaves very differently...

I love the New York-based fairy tales of Washington Irving, from Rip Van Winkle to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow , so I was interested to see (on Aaron Shepard's website) that this traditional tale, long part of the folklore of my home state, was first collected by a contemporary of Irving's, and a fellow member of the Knickerbocker Group, James Kirke Paulding, in his 1836 The Book of Saint Nicholas . According to the author's note, however, this retelling is taken from Charles M. Skinner's 1896 Myths and Legends of Our Own Land (volume unspecified). An interesting story, one that explains the evolution of the idea of the "baker's dozen," while also seeking to inculcate generosity, it makes for a lovely holiday selection. The artwork, done in watercolor by Wendy Edelson, is simply gorgeous! Colorful, lushly detailed, and very expressive, it has a rich quality that is very appealing. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories set in Dutch colonial days, or during the celebration of Saint Nicholas Day.

[Tracie Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Baker’s Dozen Review
Book: The Baker’s Dozen
Author: Aaron Shepard
Publisher: Skyhook Press
Genre: Children’s/ Folk Tales and Legends
Publication Date: December 6, 2010
Rating:



*Thank you NetGalley and Random House for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!*

The Low Down:
A tale straight from colonial New York. Van Amsterdam always gives his customers what they paid for, no more, no less. However, when an old lady comes in insisting that a dozen is 13, Van Amsterdam learns what it means to have a generous and giving spirit. This edition also came with a St. Nicholas pattern and recipe.

My thoughts:
First, let’s appreciate the illustrations in this book.




I thought this was a wonderful tale about how the baker’s dozen came to be. I also appreciate how the story introduces children to a new tradition and culture (St. Nicholas Day and the Dutch culture), and I thought the lesson of having a generous spirit was well thought out and presented so that it was easy for children to see. The illustrations in this book were wonderful, very detailed and elaborate. I also liked the pattern and the recipe. I feel like they were explained in a way which would make them easy for a child to do with a parent’s help. I also enjoy the inclusion of a recipe into the tale (which is about a baker). I feel like it gives the story a more “real” feel, and I like the hands-on approach as well. I feel like a parent or guardian could talk to their child about the story while having fun making their own St. Nicholas cookies.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an altruistic story. And businesses can't be run on altruism. What I also didn't appreciate is that the old woman made it seem as if the poor baker was a bad guy - it says he did all that he could to be honest - he was a fair guy. He shouldn't be discredited and slighted like that.

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[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Baker’s Dozen- A Saint Nicholas Tale by Aaron Shepard and illustrated by Wendy Edelson is a beautifully done story of the origin of the Baker’s Dozen. The story is about Van Amsterdam a baker in Dutch Colonial New York, who on Dec 6 bakes St. Nicholas cookies. He is known for being extremely honest and giving his customers exactly what they have paid for. However, one day, an old woman visits him saying that a dozen cookies is 13 cookies. What happens next shows how giving a little more than expected is rewarded. This is a beautiful told folktale with wonderful pictures that would delight any young reader and make a beautiful holiday present to be enjoyed throughout the holiday season.

I received this book from NetGalley and Skyhook Press in exchange for a fair and honest review

[Anusha Narasimhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and sweet story on how the tradition of baker's dozen came about. The illustrations are beautiful and detailed. I was surprised to find a cookie recipe (which I did not notice while purchasing the book). More than the story and the recipe, it is the pictures that I absolutely adore.

[Dem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice blend of American folk tale (Dutch), Christmas lore, and virtue. Origin story for baker's dozen.

Great artwork. Includes a recipe in the back; I would love a cookie like this.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm, my kiddos were delighted with this story because of the magical element that was very reminiscent of the beggar woman/witch in the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast. However, I didn't love that this scrupulously honest baker, whom the entire town initially loved and shopped with, was bewitched after refusing to give the old woman 13 instead of 12 cookies in a dozen. It is implied that this witch is actually Saint Nicholas in disguise. The baker's business slowly fades and fails, until he starts giving what is now termed as "a baker's dozen." Strange. This isn't a book I would go back and read again.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art work in this book is beautiful. The pictures are highly detailed and will invite readers over and over again to make sure they didn't miss anything. I didn't like the big message in the story-a baker is making good living selling his products fairly. One day an old woman comes in and asks for a dozen cookies so he gives her twelve, but she believes she should get 13. She curses him and his business falls apart until he decides he should be generous. I just have a bit of a problem with the kids of coerced generosity.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

12/6/2018 - Just read this delightful little book again to celebrate St. Nicholas Tale. The illustrations are so lovely. We'll keep on reading it every year :)

We love this Saint Nicholas Tale! Beautiful illustrations!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story about the original of a baker's dozen. If you have a child, Shepard is worth checking out. Nice illustrations.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very similar to the version by Heather Forest. This one also has very nice watercolor paintings

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed more Christmas books for my library and I stumbled on this treasure. What a wonderful story of generosity. This book is sure to prompt many character conversations.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saint Nicholas Day story about the baker’s dozen in early America.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I have used the term baker's dozen many times, but never really thought about the origin. This story is a version of how that came to be from an old story out of the Dutch in old New York.

VanAmsterdam is a very honest baker who always makes sure he gives each customer exactly what he pays for, no more and no less. He makes the best St. Nicholas cookies and is always extremely busy. One day, an old woman comes and asks for a dozen cookies, when he gives her twelve, she asks for thirteen saying that there are thirteen in a dozen. When he refuses to give in, she leaves disgruntled, and leaves him with bad luck. Unfortunately as he has more and more issues with his baking, he loses all his customers. He does not know what to do. Eventually the spirit of St. Nicholas helps him learn the joys of giving more than is expected.

The illustrations are amazing. They are true to the period, very bright and colourful and tell the story almost by themselves. They show the village, the people, the wonderful cookies, St. Nicolas and more. They are wonderful.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this book reads like a fairytale. There is the evil witch/villian, the villager who has bad luck caused by the villian, the wish or assistance of a greater being (fairy godmother, St. Nicholas etc) and a happy ending. The message that being generous and giving more than expected is a good one and very easy to see in the story.

This will be added to my holiday library for sure. I also can't wait to try the recipe for the cookies that is included at the end of the story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale' by Aaron Shepard with illustrations by Wendy Edelson is a Christmas tale that tells a lesson in being generous.

This story takes place in colonial Albany, New York. There is a baker in the town who is amazingly honest. He gives his customers exactly what they have ordered. One day, an old woman comes in to by some Saint Nicolas cookies and tries to convince him that a dozen is 13. When he refuses to give her more than 12, she puts a curse on his business. Can he overcome the curse and save his business?

It's a story about how the baker's dozen came to be. I loved the way it was told and the illustrations are lovely and detailed. It's the perfect read aloud book for cold Winter nights, but you better have some cookies handy. Maybe a baker's dozen?

I received a review copy of this ebook from Skyhook Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a NetGalley copy in exchange for an honest review.
These pictures were so intricate, so detailed. Children will love to gaze at them and study them, looking at all of the people and the sweep of their clothes, their hair. The colors of the page.
Everyone would enjoy these pictures, not just young children. They are beautiful.
The story, though it didn't rhyme, read like a poem and I had to keep reminding myself not to read it in a musical tone.
I hadn't heard this tale before, but I can say that this particular version sounded wonderful as I read. The way that the words flowed together was perfect.
This story tells of the power of giving, and is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. Aaron just knows how to draw detail. There are whole stories in each picture, such as the cat that wanders through the illustrations.

Ho-hum of a story, but cute none the less.

Probably good for St. Nicholas Day and December sort of celebrations. There is even a cookie recipe at the end of the book to make St. Nicholas cookies.



Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Kelly Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork. Interesting explanation of the origin of the Baker’s Dozen. That being said what a disappointing moral to this story. It seems like a story about learning to be more generous but the reason is because the baker was honest and precise? I don’t care to read stories to my son that teach that being honest will cause you to be cursed for a year and almost lose your business. This story simply did not resonate with us.

[January Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have heard and used the term "baker's dozen", but I had never given the origin of it any thought. I did not know it was a Dutch story!

This book is short and cute and interesting, and also includes a recipe.

The illustrations are AMAZING AMAZING!

You and your child both will LOVE this book!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, cute tale about the legend of how the baker's dozen started.

The illustrations are detailed and highly artistic.

A crisp and inventive narrative fills the pages.

Overall, a cute story.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really love this story. The illustrations are pretty, but it's more about how the saying "a baker's dozen" originated rather than about Christmas per se.