Curious Clara: A Sinterklaas Story

Where's Sint's big red book?

Clara is a five-year old girl who has a sharp eye for the things going on around her. It's a couple of days before Pakjesavond (5 December) and Sinterklaas has come to visit Clara's school. His big red book, however, is pinched by a little boy who is afraid that it contains some bad things about him. As a result, Sinterklaas can't go through with Pakjesavond.  

Will Sint's book be found in time?

So begins A Sinterklaas Story, a new English-language children's book based on the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas. By custom, Dutch families gather together on Pakjesavond to wait for Sinterklaas to arrive bearing presents and sweets. The origin of Sinterklaas is thought to be a 4th century Turkish bishop, who did good deeds for the poor. He evolved to become a friend of all children. As a historical figure, he comes close to Santa Claus, a familiar Christmas figure in the Anglo-Saxon world.

Toys and sweets

Sinterklaas is an old man, who travels around on a white horse and is accompanied by his assistants, the Zwarte Pieten. He has a big red book, in which he keeps track of whether children have been good or naughty during the previous year. Sinterklaas gives toys and sweets to the good children, whereas the naughty ones get nothing and may even be taken back to Spain, where Sinterklaas lives.

Curious Clara is written especially for English-speaking expat families in the Netherlands. It is suitable for children around the age of 4 or 5, and is a great introduction to the Dutch customs surrounding Sinterklaas. The authors, Maike Mehlert (Germany), and Ken Carroll (UK), both live in Amsterdam, as does the illustrator, Rachelle Meyer (USA).

Curious Clara’s Amsterdam Adventures: A Sinterklaas Story (€12)
The book may be ordered online at: http://www.curiousclara.com