The Real Santa Claus: Legends of Saint Nicholas (Phyllis Fogelman Books)
In this worthy companion to her other works about religious figures, Mayer (Young Jesus of Nazareth) uses several brief stories to introduce the fourth-century orphan boy turned miracle-working bishop who inspired the modern holiday image of Santa Claus/Father Christmas. Masterpieces from European museums and churches illustrate scenes from the saint's life; laid out on pages framed and accented with gold paint, they create a setting far more elegant and reverent than the nostalgic cover art would suggest. Clement C. Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas" opens the volume on a festive and familiar note. All ages.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.