I guess this is a traditional tale? But the lesson is terrible. Some random person demands extra from the baker and gets cursed when he doesn't give her an extra for no reason. So if you behave badly everyone can get extra?
The pictures and language are great, but that moral seems sketch.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book and its author.
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Una historia donde un panadero no servía más que la cantidad debida para cada cliente, un día le llega su sorpresa, dándole la lección que le cambiaría por todo el año y de por vida.

Una docena son trece, no doce. Me pareció gracioso el cómo le incluyeron a la historia una razón para decirte que debes dejar de ser tacaño.

4.5

I received this book as a NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this book. When I was a child, I loved learning about Christmas traditions around the world, and I eventually convinced my parents to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. (Getting them onboard for St. Lucia was a bust.) As a kid, I would have liked parts of this story, but I think my ultimate criticism would have remained, though through a child's eyes. The story is warm, charming, and seasonal. The illustrations by Wendy Edelson are gorgeous, and Aaron Shepherd's prose is warm. There is a rich, fairy tale-like quality to the book that is charming. Ultimately, though, I didn't like it because of the plot and the theme.

The story takes place in Dutch colonial New York and follows the story of a Dutch baker, famed for his St. Nicholas cookies, and his creation of the "baker's dozen." The story is an attempt at explaining both the origin of the baker's dozen as well as a parable of generosity. Ultimately, for me, those attempts both fail. First of all, the baker's dozen originated in medieval England, as far as my quick Google shows, so the whole premise is untrue. Second, without spoiling the story, the reason why the baker is coerced into giving away extra product doesn't resonate - it doesn't give us a true tale of generosity. Much like The Rainbow Fish and The Giving Tree (both of which I dislike), Baker's Dozen leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth around true generosity, social pressure, and personal boundaries.

Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhook Press for the ARC. Though this story wasn't for me, I would definitely read more of the writer's work and plan to check out the illustrator's career as well when have time.

A very beautiful story about giving a little more during the holiday seasons. The illustrations are beautiful. I read the translated version in Spanish. The translation is clear and well done. Highly recommend to read during the holiday season.

had so much fun reading this book, the story is so adorable and the illustrations were so well done and charming, there’s so many little details in every page that I couldn’t stop but be mesmerized by it all. I will definitely be recommending it! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

Spanish speakers now have access to The Baker’s Dozen, Aaron Shepherd’s Christmas classic, first released in 1994, thanks to this latest edition. The book sports the same delicate, retro illustrations by Wendy Edelson as the English editions, and shares a cover with the 2018 Skyhook Press release.

Baker Van Amsterdam prides himself on exactitude and honesty: He provides his customers EXACTLY what they’ve paid for, no more, no less. But a St. Nicholas Day encounter will teach Van Amsterdam a lesson in generosity. This Dutch colonial tale lives on in the baker’s dozen of today, and I loved discovering the origin of the practice.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Skyhook Press and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members’ Titles for an honest review.

What a lovely story about the true meaning of Christmas. Plus, the classic illustrations are so adorable. Highly recommended for people of all ages.