In search of a story book of an old tale...

[usafwife247]

As a kid we celebrated St. Nicks / Sinterklaas....my great-grandparents all immigrated to the US and brought their lore/beliefs with them and we thrived on hearing the tales of their countries....sadly they've all passed away and the stories are not told anymore.

 

For the past few years I've been searching, unsuccessfully, for a good picture book or children's book of the Sinterklaas tale - being that we'll be putting out our shoes tonight and hope that Black Pete doesn't take my naughty 2 year old away with them - I was reminded of my search and figured it wouldn't hurt to ask if any of you who know the story know of a good book that tells the tale for my kids :)

 

Have no clue as to what I'm talking about?  Haha....in short St. Nick / Sinterclaas would visit homes the eve of Dec 5 and children would leave their shoes out, hoping for treats...traditionally a chocolate letter...the first initial of their name...good children received these treats and bad children would be....this is a bit dark!....would be whipped by Black Pete or worse taken away in his sack, my granny even said 'maybe even eaten'....later it changed to Black Pete leaving coal for the naughty kids - but that's not the way my great-grandparents told the tale!

 

I've done searches and can't seem to find anything....we live in California and it's not celebrated here as it was in the mid west where I grew up....it's a fun tradition I keep up but would really like a book read to the kids to help keep up the tale....something they can pass on to their kids one day - at least the story of Sinterklaas :)