Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Picture Book Discoveries
 4Real Forums : Picture Book Discoveries
Subject Topic: Kersti and St. Nicholas Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
Posted: Dec 21 2010 at 8:46am | IP Logged Quote JennGM
Kersti and St. Nicholas by Hilda von Stockum, originally printed 1940, is now reprinted by Boissevain publishers!

Kersti and St. Nicholas for more information.

It's also available at Amazon

I had mentioned in another thread that I had tracked down a copy of the original edition and wasn't too impressed. We are rereading the book, and I wanted to expand my judgment on this book. I think this is a great book; it's so well-written. My "problems" with the book were either updated in the second edition or slight changes made to this new one.

The story is placed in Holland, featuring a family of all girls who welcomes a new little baby, another sister, Kersti. She is surrounded by many "mothers" and she is a very cute, but headstrong little one who gets into all sorts of trouble -- so much trouble that she isn't going to get gifts from St. Nicholas.

In the night, St. Nicholas takes her for a ride. She pleads to St. Nicholas to leave gifts for a young poor boy, Jan.

I wrote to the publisher and they explained they changed the speech for Peterbaas, St. Nicholas' servant so it makes him more dignified (in the original, he is more of a colored servant, talking like a minstrel). Secondly the ending is changed slightly, in the second edition St. Nicholas does not give presents to the naughty children.

My son was just captivated -- it's definitely a living book style. The characters are portrayed so realisticly, and you feel a part of this little Dutch family. The customs and foods are so atractive; and the illustrations are just gorgeous.

I was looking for an "accurate" portrayal of St. Nicholas, but this book is more of a depiction of the Dutch customs of St. Nicholas. He comes from Spain with his black companion and brings the goodies to the good children. In that aspect, it's just perfect!

I'm suspecting little Kersti is about 2 or 3, and having a little 3 year old in my house, the depiction of her "naughtyness" is spot on.

I can see I'll have to purchase the new version for a comparison. I'm usually against changing originals, but in this case the small changes will make this book universally loved.

So I can now say,

__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
Back to Top View JennGM's Profile Search for other posts by JennGM Visit JennGM's Homepage
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com