The Candymaker's Gift: A Legend of the Candy Cane

by Helen C. Haidle, David Haidle (Illustrator)

The Legend of the Candy Cane

Once upon a time a candymaker set out to create a special Christmas treat for children everywhere - a treat that would tell the story of Jesus.

With simple text and gorgeous illustrations, this insightful holiday book will delight the whole family. This legend of the candy cane wonderfully proclaims the "best gift of Christmas!"

With family activities and simple recipes included, this charming storybook is guranteed to become a holiday keepsake.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Christian, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Food

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 1996

About the author

Helen Haidle is an award-winning author of more than 30 children’s books including What Would Jesus Do?, What Did Jesus Promise?, and He is Alive. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband David.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

One possible explanation of how the delicious Christmas treat, candy canes were created -- by a candymaker who wanted to teach children some of the basic truths about Christmas.

-The white represents the holiness of Jesus, the Son of God.
-The minty aroma is a reminder of the wise men's gifts of spices.
-The hardness is because Jesus is a Solid Rock, always there when we need Him.
-The shape can be seen to represent the first letter of Jesus' name if you look at it one way, or
-It can be seen as a shepherd's staff, as Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
-The red stripes stand for the Love in God's heart that He would send us His only Son.
-The red also reminds us of the Blood Jesus shed for our sins.

And though the book said nothing about the sweetness of the candy, that is what makes us want to eat it and to me that is God's Grace, because without that we could not do anything!

A great little book which I used with young children in religious education. And after a while, I just used candy canes without the book.

[Joel Larson]

you better believe I'm adding the kids' books I read with my nieces and nephews for my end of year review

[Hazeanni · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a story of the legend of candy cane. Of how each part of it represented aspects of the Christ. Gosh I never think about it before !. The text being kept simple and clear. It is very suitable choice for storytelling session.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loved this story (as did I when I was little). Wonderful story of a sweet grandpa who shares the love of Christ with his granddaughter and all the village children.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ready to start a new family tradition? Are you of the Christian faith? The Candymaker’s Gift will be the perfect Christmas Eve family read-aloud. The story is a beautiful tale of a candymaker inventing the perfect candy gift for his granddaughter: the candy cane. Each detail of the peppermint treat has a significance to the Christian faith and the deeper meaning makes eating the treat a prayerful event.

The hardback edition I read includes some extras after the story: ideas for how to celebrate using candy canes, ideas for decorating with the candy cane, a list of the meaning of the candy cane including Bible verse citations, and a call to receive God’s Christmas gift including Bible verse citations.

[David Rough · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book might be better named: The symbolism of the Candy Cane. It communicates the gospel of Jesus and the various messages proclaimed by the candy cane, but it falls a little short of the category of legend.

[Jessica Hembree · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about the creation of candy canes and their connection to Christ and Christmas. Each year, my family wraps our collection of Christmas and winter books so that we can randomly select one each night to read aloud as a family. This was today’s book.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story to read about the candy cane and how it can represent Jesus.

[Diane in Australia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the books in my daughter's Christmas collection.

5 Stars = I love it for sentimental reasons.

[Kaitlin Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story relating the true meaning of Christmas in the form of the candy cane.

[Carly Hales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Told of the Savior but in relation to candy so it really captured the kids’ attention.

[Natalee Cleckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one made me cry reading to my kids.
Such a good story & a reminder of what Christmas really means.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story but really beautiful illustrations.

[Zakaya Benge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful Christmas story that uses the red stripes of a Candy Cane to illustrate Jesus’s sacrifice for our sins and God’s love for his children. Very well written! 🌟

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

[Rose Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of how the first candy cane was made and its religious symbolism.

Fourth-grade reading level.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, short, but sweet. Loved this little story about the candy cane. Perfect to read with kids while you all eat candy canes.

[Maybee Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story brings out the real meaning of Christmas. I read this to my children before Christmas to remind them why we celebrate Christmas. The details and explanation is perfect for all aged children and adults. It's very touching and inspiring how the candy cane is connected to Christmas and Jesus.

[Della Tingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, touching book with beautiful illustrations. At the end, there is a page titled, “The Meaning of the Candy Cane,” and the very last page is titled, “Receive God’s Christmas Gift.” My daddy bought this book for me in 1998, and it is a perfect book to reread every year at Christmastime.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girls love this book. We have read it every Christmas season for the past 4 years. This year after we read for Family Home Evening we took candy canes and a copy of the meaning of the candy cane to some friends.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Explains the meaning behind all aspects of the candy cane in story. Gives fun craft ideas, party ideas, and a recipe to make candy-cane shaped sugar cookies. Last page is an evangelistic call to put your trust in Christ with accompanying scriptures.

[Sherry Rampey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the candycane.

[Kellene · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful story about the meaning of Christmas, shared with my niece

[Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story that tells the true meaning of Christmas!

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still my all time favorite kids’ Christmas book 💜💜

[Kimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story to read every year with your family.