The Bearer of Gifts

by Kenneth Steven, NOT A BOOK (illustrator), Steven Kenneth

One wintry night near the top of the world in Lapland, a brilliant new star appears in the sky. Gazing at it in wonder, a lonely wood-carver is sure it is the sign of something strange and wonderful. When the star moves eastward, he packs his carvings in a sack, harnesses the reindeer to his sled, and follows it halfway across the world to a lowly stable where a newborn baby is lying in a manger. Miraculously transformed by his encounter with the blessed child, the wood-carver returns home, determined to commemorate the child s birth. And so on every Christmas Eve since, he harnesses the reindeer to his sled and brings joy to millions of children around the world. Laplanders call him Father Christmas. American children know him as Santa Claus. Kenneth Steven s deeply moving story, beautifully complemented by Lily Moon s luminous paintings, joyfully communicates the true spirit of the holiday to believers of all ages.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 1998

About the author

Kenneth Steven is a translator, writer, and poet. His longest translation, The Half Brother, was long-listed for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize and short-listed for the international IMPAC Award. He often completes work for NORLA (Norwegian Literature Abroad).

He lives in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland.

Reviews

[Becky Carleton]

This is one of my favorite picture books to read each year before Christmas. The illustrations glow and the story of a lonely Laplander's journey chasing a star warms my heart.

[Michelle]

I never thought to combine the tale on Santa Claus with Jesus. This book made me cry!

[Danielle]

I loved how this story combined the story of Santa Claus with the birth of Jesus.

[Meredith]

The Bearer of Gifts tells a very touching story of how Santa Claus becomes Santa Claus, accompanied by illustrations beautiful in their simplicity. A simple woodcarver in Lapland, one winter he sees a star and follows it across time and space fainlly arriving in Bethlehem where the Christ child is laying in a manger. When he enters the stable, he is bathed in the light surrounding the child, which changes the color of his clothing from blue to red. Santa presents the baby Jesus with a carved wooden star and then journeys home. In honor of the Christ child, he makes toys for all the children he knows from that year forth.

[Leslie]

One of my favorite "Santa" books, this delightfully illustrated book follows the journey of a lonely wood-cutter to find the Christ child and learn the joy of giving. This is one of the stories that is a must read for our family every Christmas season.

[Barb]

One of my favorite non-traditional Christmas stories, about how Santa Claus came to be. Lovely illustrations and a moving story.

[Rachel Jessen]

This is my most favorite book of all time for Christmas. I would give it 10 stars if I could.

[B]

cute Santa / nativity connections