The Legend of the Candy Cane

Walburg, Lori. The Legend of the Candy Cane. Illustrated by James Bernardin. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997.

I enjoy sharing the Christmas legends with the students who visit the school library. We have two different versions of the legend in our library, this book and The Candymaker’s Gift. While the background story is very different in these books, the meanings surrounding the candy cane are basically the same. The fact that they are different allows for instruction in just what a legend is. In The Legend of the Candy Cane a stranger comes in to town and begins working in an old abandoned building. Everyone is curious about what he is doing, but no one introduces themselves or offers to help. Once day, Lucy stopped by and begins helping. She finds out that he is creating a candy store. While they work he tells Lucy the legend of the candy cane. At the end, they share the story with the community. Walburg includes a one-page history of the candy cane at the close of her story. Bernardin’s beautiful illustrations were rendered using acrylics and colored pencils.

Do you know the meanings behind the candy cane?

-The shape – J for Jesus or a shepherd’s staff

-The red stripes – to remind of Jesus’ suffering and blood after he was whipped before his death.

The Legend of the Candy Cane: The Inspirational Story of Our Favorite Christmas Candy is available from Amazon.