Welcome to 2013 everyone! As we begin this new year, we’ll be introducing some new types of posts to keep things interesting. You’ll see more regular book reviews, writing challenges, and perhaps even some interviews. We’re also open to suggestion, if there is something you would like to see us discuss. Feel free to post your thoughts in the comments.
We have included book reviews before, but I thought they could use a little more regular formatting. So here goes…
The Legend of the Candy Cane
Written By: Lori Walburg
Illustrated By: James Bernardin
Zondervan Publishing House, 1997, Hardcover Version
Target Audience: Ages 4-8
Genre: Fiction
How We Discovered This Book
This book was read by my son’s teachers in religious instructions class. He liked it so much that he borrowed it from his school library.
What I Liked
The story is a charming tale of a possible meaning behind the creation of the candy cane. The story is religious in nature, but the story flows so smoothly, it feels more like a winter or Christmas book than a religious one. I am fascinated by mythology and the stories we create to explain those things that we don’t completely understand, so this story certainly appealed to me. The illustrations mirror the old-fashioned feel of the story.
What Did My Son Aidan Think?
Clearly, this book made an impression on Aidan for him to seek it out at the library. He also liked the illustrations, but his favorite part was that the story was about candy. Candy canes are the feature, but many other kinds of candy are a part of the story. Each time we read it, I think he drooled over the possibilities.
A Life Spent Reading 
Well, you’ve certainly got me wondering about the origins of the candy cane, so I guess I’d better go find this book 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
What a beautiful story. It has a bit of historical fiction in it too. Tell your son many years ago I went to the Spangler Candy Co. in NW Ohio were they made most of the candy canes. I was a newspaper reporter and was writing a feature story for Christmas. It’s awesome to watch how they are made — and the smell – yum! Of course the process may have changed in that time. But, it sure was fun.
Oh – I want to see that too Pat! Actually, the Marshmallow Fluff plant in Lynn MA is another place I’d like to see and smell, but they don’t offer public tours (yet).
Interestingly, I had never heard the legend of the candy cane before this Christmas. My son learned about it in his religious school. I’ll have to add this book to our collection for next year.
Got me wondering too – sweet pick!
Sounds great. I had heard about the legend before, but haven’t read this book. I’ll have to check it out!
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