My First Saint Nicholas Book

Kathryn Swegart tells the story of how Amanda Lauer came to write a board book introducing Saint Nicholas to toddlers. 

My First Saint Nicholas Book 

By Amanda Lauer; illustrated by Julia Seal 

Published by Paraclete Press

One of my favorite parts of author interviews is the question of inspiration: Where did you get the idea for this book?

Amanda Lauer tells of how she made the big switch from writing Y/A historical romance and time travel to a board book for young children.

As so often occurs in the realm of a writer’s imagination, the idea was not planned. It all began with a question from her daughter, a mother of two young children. Could she write a rhyming board book about Saint Nicholas small enough to fit into a Saint Nick stocking?

I imagine Amanda was a bit surprised by the request. A rhyming book? She had not written a poem since high school. A quick search on the internet of Saint Nicholas books shows there are numerous paperback versions, but a board book would be hard to find.

Board books are difficult to write, given the small word count (200 words). Amanda plunged ahead, with the first stanza coming to her in the middle of the night. She wrote it down and the rest flowed from there.

Paraclete Press liked the idea, and the board book was born. The illustrator, Julia Seal, was a perfect match for the verses. Her vibrant colors and appealing characters helped bring the story to life.

The True Story of Saint Nicholas

Amanda’s rhymes tell the true story of Saint Nicholas in a gentle, natural way with not a hint of being shoehorned into the story.

Saint Nicholas is introduced as a child “who loved helping and giving and hoped that someday he’d serve God for a living.” His dream came true. He sold all his belongings and became a bishop. His charity became legendary, leaving gifts for children in the middle of the night as they lay sleeping.

Young readers will enjoy holding this sturdy board book, studying the appealing illustrations. Bright oranges and blues cover three little girls holding gold coins. Friendly cats appear on two pages. Seamlessly, the story moves to the present time. Two little girls sleep in their beds dreaming of their Saint Nicholas stockings. It is a cozy scene as they snuggle with their stuffed toys.

Instead of commercializing Saint Nicholas, Amanda concludes the story with the true meaning of this famous Catholic saint. “In the month of December, let’s do a kind deed. To honor Saint Nick who helped those in need.”

My guess is that Amanda Lauer will feel great joy reading My First Saint Nicholas Book to her own grandchildren. Many other little ones will also enjoy hearing this tale many times over. Not only is it a perfect fit for little hands, but it will also tuck neatly into a Christmas stocking.

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2026 Kathryn Swegart
Images: (top) interior image courtesy of Paraclete Press, all rights reserved.