The Baker's Dozen

The Baker's Dozen tells the story of Van Amsterdam, a Dutch baker in colonial Albany, New York. His shop gains fame for its strict honesty in measurement and quality. A mysterious old woman visits the baker's shop one day and makes a special request for Saint Nicholas cookies. This encounter sets off a series of events that test Van Amsterdam's principles about business and generosity. The story incorporates Dutch-American folklore and holiday traditions from colonial New York, bringing historical context to life. The tale centers on the origin of the term "baker's dozen" and its connection to Saint Nicholas Day celebrations. At its core, this story explores themes of integrity, compassion, and the true meaning of generosity in business and life. The simple narrative structure carries deeper messages about balancing profit with kindness.

Readers describe this book as a heartwarming Christmas tale that teaches children about generosity. Parents and teachers report it works well as a read-aloud for ages 4-8. Readers appreciated: - Clear moral lesson without being preachy - Wenzel Davis's illustrations, particularly the colonial-era details - Historical context about the origin of "baker's dozen" - Length suitable for one sitting Common criticisms: - Some vocabulary too advanced for younger children - Story pacing drags in middle section - Limited appeal outside holiday season Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (162 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (28 ratings) Multiple reviewers mentioned using the book to discuss generosity with children. One teacher wrote: "My students ask for this story repeatedly during December." A parent noted: "The message stuck with my 6-year-old, who referenced it when sharing toys later." Some readers found the supernatural elements "slightly scary for very young children" according to several Amazon reviews.

Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges A retelling of a classic folk tale centers on good vs. evil and the power of generosity, mirroring the moral lessons found in The Baker's Dozen.

The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie dePaola This Native American tale about sacrifice and community spirit carries the same themes of giving and receiving that run through The Baker's Dozen.

The Empty Pot by Demi A Chinese folktale follows a child who learns the value of honesty and integrity, reflecting similar moral teachings about truth and fairness in business.

Stone Soup by Marcia Brown Three soldiers teach a village about sharing and community through clever means, echoing the transformation of Van Amsterdam's character in giving to others.

Brother Eagle, Sister Sky by Susan Jeffers Chief Seattle's message about respect and responsibility toward others connects to the Baker's Dozen's themes of social conscience and doing right by the community.

🍞 "The Baker's Dozen" is based on an old Dutch legend from Albany, New York, explaining why 13 became the traditional number for a baker's dozen. 🎨 The book's illustrator, Wendy Edelson, spent months researching colonial Dutch clothing and architecture to ensure historical accuracy in her paintings. 🗓️ The story takes place on December 6th, which is St. Nicholas Day—traditionally a more important gift-giving holiday than Christmas in Dutch culture. 🥖 Author Aaron Shepard adapted this tale from "The Van Loon Story," first recorded by Washington Irving's friend John Romeyn Brodhead in the 1800s. 🏺 The mysterious old woman in the story is believed by some scholars to be Saint Nicholas himself in disguise, testing the baker's generosity—a common theme in European folklore.