58_Saint Story

Soon is Saint Nicholas Day! Here is a preschool picture book for you...

{Jesus says} “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15

How lovely to have you here! If you are a new subscriber - or you simply want to know more about me and Adventures and Academia - enjoy this welcome note.

Dearest Friend,

I know I'm sending you this letter a bit ahead of the regular routine, but with good reason(s)…

After avoiding the outdoors for a day and a half because of the cold, I knew yesterday afternoon that we all needed fresh air, and I bundled up the kiddoes for a stroll through our village. As we reached the intersection where I planned to turn onto a side street, my oldest noticed a livestock trailer parked further down our current path. We paused for a moment to watch if anything exciting would happen - and were rewarded with the sweet sight of a flock of sheep bounding from the trailer into their new grazing pasture!

We decided to walk the extra meters to greet the sheep, and I simply had to take a few photos for my Mama, despite the waning light. As a fellow fiber artist, she shares - surpasses, even - my deep appreciation for these wooly wonders, and meeting them always makes me feel closer to her, despite the ocean between us.

While photographing the flock, it dawned on me that I could show this one to Mama in person, as she was at that very moment crossing the ocean to see me, after a year apart.

So, you see, my sweet Mama arrived this morning, and I want to make the most of every waking moment with her - which is why I am quickly writing to you now as she and the others sleep, and I likely won't have another piece for you on Sunday. Priorities. 💚

The second reason I wanted to write to you today is that Sunday would be too late for you to use this lovely resource I have created for you.

When I was a new preschool teacher here in Germany, I had to teach a lesson about the life of Nicholas of Myra. All the books our preschool had on this topic were in German, so I created a rhyming sensory picture book in English.

I pulled it back out yesterday to teach my own children about the upcoming Saint Nicholas Day (December 6), which is widely celebrated in Germany. I also scanned and edited it to create a digital version for you.

The sensory elements (felt, sandpaper, cotton, foil, glitter…) sadly don't translate to a digital copy, but it is still a fun, informational way to introduce your little ones to this 4th century bishop! You could simply show the images like a presentation and read the story from the screen, or you could even print it out and glue sensory details to the pages to make it more interactive for your early learners.

I truly hope you enjoy this gift, and perhaps your kiddoes will find clementines and chocolate coins in their shoes or stockings on Saturday morning to remember the generosity of a man who loved God and served others.

Thank you for being my guest.
In God’s word you will find rest;
Seek Him, be bountifully blessed. 💚

Unless otherwise indicated, all words and pictures are original creations by ewebeak for the glory of God. Bible passages in English are from the CSB translation; in German, they are from Schlachter 2000. This publication is for educational and entertainment purposes only.