A GIFT FROM SAINT NICHOLAS

In retelling Felix Timmerman's German text of a Dutch story, Kismaric makes a satisfying addition to the scanty literature about the good saint. Saint Nicholas runs out of gifts before coming to little Cecile. She would love to have the expensive chocolate boat that is the only thing left in stingy old Trinchen Mutser's candy shop; but although she, the saint, a wakeful poet, and the night watchman (a tipsy violinist) all beg, the old woman won't part with the boat without receiving ten groschen over its usual price--and none of them has any money. Still, when they leave, the old woman relents; and (unlike her Russian parallel, Baboushka) she is in time to make Cecile happy on St. Nicholas morning. Choosing Freiburg, Germany, as his setting, Mikolaycak has illustrated the story with his usual rich color, strong sense of design, and attention to detail, and--fittingly--with more than his usual warmth and humor. A Beautiful book; a welcome contribution to holiday collections.