Picture Books for Older Children
Click for our list of currently available books from Amazon and other sources.
Out-of-print books may be found in libraries or the used book market.
• = some of our favorites
-
The Truth About Santa Claus
Genesis Communications Inc., Mobile, Alabana, 1997
Simple explanation of how Nicholas became Santa Claus and how everyone is to love like Jesus did, now on KindlePurchase from amazon.com, amazon.ca
-
The Story of Saint Nicholas: A story of humble generosityi
Herald Entertainment, Inc., 2018
McKinney, Texas
Elementary age children
Introduction to Saint Nicholas, emphasizing his generosity. It embroiders the tradition, showing him as a very rich, indulged young boy, parents die in an "accident" rather than an epidemic, and he isn't restored to the bishopric after the encounter with Arius.Purchase from Brother Francis
Purchase from amazon.com
-
• The Twenty Miracles of Saint Nicholas
Atlantic Little-Brown, 1960
Fine retellings of Nicholas legends, well and plentifully illustrated; a treasure -
Saint Nicholas
CreateSpace, 2012
Lexington, Kentucky
Simple story of a girl who goes looking to answer the question, "Is there really a Santa Claus?"Purchase from amazon.com
-
From Saint to Sint to Santa: The Story of St. Nicholas
Uitgeverij Boekscout, 2017
Soest, the Netherlands
Paperback, nicely illustrated by Aad Voermans
Older children - adults
The story of Sinterklaas in the Netherlands for English-speakers. -
• The Legend of Saint Nicholas
McElderry Books, 2003
Beautiful gilded illustrations tell the full story of the good saint.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
A Perfect Christmas
Regina Orthodox Press, 2003
Lavishly illustrated fanciful tale of a young doubting boy who comes to understand the real St Nicholas and compassion for those in need.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
• Saint Nicholas & the Nine Gold Coins
St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2015
Yonkers, New York
Well-told story of St Nicholas and the dowry gold, seamlessly includes background and Jesus' teachings. Beautifully illustrated with rich, full-color iconographic art. A short accessible section at the end fills out more detail of Nicholas' story. Large-size picture book.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
• Saint Nicholas
Sheed & Ward, 1936
Delightful story with two-color illustrations by Elisabeth Ivanovsky -
The Storm and the Sea: A Story About the Life of St. Nicholas
St. Ignatius of Antioch Press, 1992
Six stories of St. Nicholas, nicely illustrated -
The Legend of Saint Nicholas
Eerdmans Books for Young People, 2014
Grand Rapids, Michigan & Cambridge, United Kingdom
Originally published by Verlag Herder GmbH, Germany
Nicely illustrated with double-page, soft pictures; included stories: dowry, selection as bishop, saving sailors, famine relief, and the two golden cups. Very nice introduction to St. Nicholas.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
The Sunbonnet Babies in Holland
Rand McNally, 1915
-
Papa's Christmas Gift: Around the World on the Night Before Christmas
Simon & Schuster, 1995
Set in Clement Clark Moore's house, customs around the world are shown with St. Nicholas in the NetherlandsPurchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
The True Story of Saint Nicholas
Alan C. Hood & Co., new edition, 2006,(1964, 1997)
Simple little book, suitable for Christmas Eve reading aloud.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
• A Letter from Saint Nicholas: To Children of Every Age
Beaver's Pond Press, 2019
Edina, Minnesota
A lovely fable that leads all of us, along with Nicholas, to the Christ Child. The story is set in time travel and connects with Nicholas' spirit of generosity, rooted in his encounter with the Christ Child.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
Tales of the Tick-Tock Time Traveler: St. N:icholas's Secret
Higher Life Development Services, 2009
Nicholas story woven into a time travel adventure, cartoon-style illustrations; tone a little preachy in spots.Purchase from amazon.com
-
The Secret of Saint Nicholas
Sid Harta Publishers, Australia, 2000
A gentle story answers the question, is Father Christmas were real; blends the Bishop of Myra's story and Christmas gift-giving; keeps the magic of Christmas honest.Purchase from amazon.com
-
A Gift From Saint Nicholas
Holiday House, 1988
Freely adapted from the classic Felix Timmermans story; lavishly illustrated by Charles MikolaycakPurchase from amazon.com
-
Mommy, Was Santa Claus Born on Christmas Too?
Destiny Image Publishers, Shippensburg, PA, 1995
The question is answered by telling stories of St Nicholas -
Just Nicholas
Matthias Media, 2015
Sydney, Australia
Youngstown, Ohio
Introduction to the idea of Saint Nicholas—gives the basic understanding of the dowry story, but without Nicholas becoming a bishop, rather a good man who loved God and gave away his wealthPurchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
A Saint Called Nicholas
Abbott Press, 2012
A mixture of rhyme and text with some simplified information about Nicholas customs around the world; emphasis on punishment, more so than in contemporary observances; the story of St. Nicholas and why he is a saint is not includedPurchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving
ZonderKidz, Zondervan, 2007
Not recommended, inaccurate portrayal of life in the 4th century and distortion of Nicholas traditions -
Wooden Shoes in America
Charles Scribners Sons, 1940
The Children of Today from Children of Yesterday
Stories about Dutch children set in the North America, one about Saint Nicholas; nicely illustrated -
• The Real Santa Claus
Phyllis Fogelman Books (Putnam), 2001
The story of St. Nicholas, the real Santa, richly illustrated with classic art from the masters.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
Tales Told in Holland (My Travelship)
The Book House for Children, 1926
Folk and other tales from Holland, colorful illustrations, some patterned on classic works; St Nicholas legend is included; still appealing nearly a century later -
The Legend of St. Nicholas
Henry Z. Walck, 1970
Fine presentation of Saint Nicholas; German edition, "Die Legende von Sankt Nikolaus," Orell Füssli, Zürich, 1971, is still in print -
The Secret of St. Nicholas
Fairland Books, 2008
Story of a very young Nicholas using his fortune to save three young girls.Purchase from amazon.com
-
The Story of Saint Nicholas
Nippert & Co Artworks, 2010
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Small 8-page booklet to assemble
Western depiction with quasi-modern clothing; nice introduction to the saint; teacher resourcePurchase from Nippert & Co Artworks
-
The Story of St. Nicholas: More than Reindeer and a Red Suit
Voice of the Martyrs, Bartlesville, OK, 2006
The story of St. Nicholas with an emphasis on his imprisonment and steadfast faithPurchase from amazon.com
-
The Legend of the Christmas Stocking: The Inspirational Story of a Wish Come True
ZonderKidz, Zondervan, 2004
Story loosely set in the early 1800s reinforces generosity with the story of Saint Nicholas. Also available as a board book with condensed text.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
An Orange for Frankie
Philomel Books, 2004
This isn't really a St. Nicholas story, but shows how widespread and special oranges have been at Christmas; a story of giving and forgiveness.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
Saint Nicholas in Holland
Het Parool, Amsterdam, undated
Small booklet with black/white photos, songs, info on Sinterklaas -
The Saint Nicholas Day Snow
Phoenix Flair Press, 2017
USA
Story weaves a number of themes together: two girls blending their St. Nicholas traditions, the illness of a grandmother, sensitive inclusion of a girl with mobility challenges. Set in an Orthodox home, each page features the main story about two girls' friendship along with a pictured St. Nicholas church from different parts of the world, and a vignette of the grandmother. More information is found in the back pages, as well.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
www.stnicholas
Bari Press, Canterbury UK, 2000
Two English children learn about Father Christmas/Santa -
The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes
Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 2008
Written for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the tender story is set in Germany, telling of a family visited by St. Nicholas and Mormon missionariesPurchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
The Christmas Anna Angel
E. M. Hale and Company, 1944, 1972
A St. Nicholas story set in Hungary, illustrated by Kate SeredyPurchase from amazon.com
-
Saint Nicholas
St Paul Publications, England, 1990
Tells the story of Father Christmas and how to give caring gifts that reflect Jesus' care for othersPurchase from amazon.com
-
The Life of Saint Nicholas the Wonder-worker
A Cloud of Witnesses Book, St. Nectarios Press, 1994
Small book nicely illustrated by Ruth Duckworth.Purchase from amazon.com
-
• The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale
Skyhook Press (Atheneum), 1995, 2010
Retelling of an Early American folk tale, the origin of "a baker's dozen"–St. Nicholas develops a spirit of generosity; beautiful detailed illustrations by Wendy Edelson. Now in a new 15th anniversary edition with pattern and recipe for St. Nicholas cookiesPurchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
Santa Claus Comes to America
Alfred A. Knopf, 1942
Tells of Saint Nicholas and Santa in America and around the world -
• The Life of Saint Nicholas
Burns & Oates, 1966
Excellent book, illustrations by Emile Probst still look fresh -
The Cheerful Giver
Clockfly Technologies, 2022
Tell St. Nicholas' story with animated story telling. Download the Coptic Smart Kids app (both Apple App Store & Google Play) that narrates the story on a phone and fits into the pop-up book to tell the story. You need the Smart Book Serial Number code that comes with the book to activate the story on the app. Click for illustration.Purchase from St. Verena Bookstore
-
Saint Nicholas
A Turkish interpretation of St Nicholas as a secular humanitarian; also available in Turkish and German -
Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend
Concordia, 2006
Board book edition, story of Nicholas with focus on God's love in Jesus, not as heavy theologically as the original versionPurchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
• Saint Nicholas and the Mouse of Myra
Paraclete Press, 2014
Brewster, Massachusetts
Graphic novel tells St. Nicholas' story with a philosophical mouse providing counterpoint and challenge to Nicholas; eight chapters include all the primary accounts, revealing Nicholas' deep faith and commitment to caring for others. Excellent, highly recommended.Purchase from Cokesbury
Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
A Day to Remember
Four Winds Press, 1981
Pictorial depiction of the Feast of St Nicholas in a small 19th century Dutch town -
St. Nicholas of Myra or The Real Life of Santa Claus
St. Elias Bookstore, Austin, Texas, 1984
Black and white block prints illustrate the story -
• St. Nicholas in Trouble
Harper & Brothers, circa 1932
Popular illustrated tale from Flanders is still in print in Germany; excellent English translation; illlustrated by Else Wenz-Viëtor -
Saint Nicholas
Boyds Mills Press, 2000
Simply told story based on both life and legend; unusual mosaic style illustrations.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
Waiting for Sinterklaas: A Family in the Netherlands
Peguis Publishers, Winnipeg, Canada, 1997
Part of Families of the World series, story tells of Dutch life during Sinterklaas season.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
Cobblestone Lane
Pilgrim Press, 1947
A new twist on the Dutch custom when St. Nicholas is sick in bed everyone else does the giving -
Kersti and Saint Nicholas
Boissevain Books, Junior Literary Guild/Viking (1940), 1940, 2010
Purchase from Boissevain Books
Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
• The True History of Santa Claus
PPP Company Limited, Hong Kong, 2003
A ten-year-old boy, who stopped believing in Santa Claus when he was nine, has an adventure that causes him to believe again—this time in the real Santa, too. The tale includes Christmas Eve miracles, gifts, stockings, magic and snow, while being factual, historical and true to the story in Bethlehem. Highly recommended for children (and adults) asking questions about Santa.Purchase from amazon.com
-
• Nicholas of Myra: A Saint for Advent and Christmas
Creative Communications for the Parish
Elementary age children & families
This small booklet is an excellent introduction to the good saint, grounding Nicholas' concern for others in his love for Jesus. Tells the story of Nicholas' life and how he is revered; includes sentence prayers. Affordable for distribution and could be used in the days surrounding St. Nicholas Day.Purchase from Creative Communications for the Parish
-
• The Miracle of Saint Nicholas
Ignatius Press, 1997
Story set in Russia tells of the enduring faith of a small village as a young boy's dream for the church evokes a miracle.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
-
The Legend of Christmas: The Untold Story of the Real St. Nicholas
Living Parables of Central Florida, 2022
Unusual story told through Nicholas' dreams while in prison.Purchase from amazon.com
-
The Netherlands: a Children's view of . . .
Edu'Actief, Netherlands, 1993
Drawings by Dutch children illustrate life in the Netherlands, including St Nicholas (sponsored by the Netherlands UNESCO Committee)
Basic Books about St. Nicholas
Picture Books for Younger Children (and all ages)
Picture Books for Older Children
Books for Older Children
Saints Books for Adults
Saints Books for Children
Activity Books and Other Resources
Christmas Books with St. Nicholas
Related Books
Books in Other Languages
Children's Books in Other Languages