sinterklaas

Take a trip to Spain and discover the enchanting world of Sinterklaas like never before. Charlotte Dematons stayed at the saint's estate for one week, and the many drawings she made during that time became this detailed look-and-find book.

Dear look-and-find readers,

Years ago, I wrote a letter to Sinterklaas and the Pieten to ask if I could come visit them. They had to think about it for a long time, and then they invited me to stay at the estate in Spain for one week. I drew the big house, the workshop, the steamboat, the Saint Nicholas School, and the courtyards of the Home Pieten. It turned into a picture book holding a thousand stories.

Because so much has changed since then, I went back to Spain on the 2:15 train. In Madrid, a brand-new Pieten bus picked me up. I stayed in the same old cottage next to the big house, with a view of the sea. As it turned out, all the Pieten now live in a Pieten apartment building they designed themselves, complete with a climbing wall. They converted the attic into a library and hung up a huge flat-screen for watching movies or gaming. The steamboat has upgrades too. Most Pieten now sleep above deck, except for those who prefer not to. Electricity or hydrogen will soon replace the coal, and the solar panels are already in place. I suspect everyone has a cell phone, even Sinterklaas! Though I didn't dare to ask.

A lot has changed in our own country over the years too: more bike paths, cargo bikes, e-bikes, and renovated houses. There are more people as well. Brand-new is the training day for Helper Pieten. Grown-ups can sign up for this day. After a solid training session ending with an exam, they can earn a Temporary Helper Piet diploma (valid for 3 years). I drew everything I saw, and this picture book is the result.

With festive greetings,
Charlotte Dematons

PS: Spot Witje, Sinterklaas's cat. He appears on every page, except when he is staying at our house."

The ‘Sinterklaas’ book won the Gouden Griffel award back in 2008, and this new edition returns to bring even more cheer to Pakjesavond. This lively picture book invites little (and big!) fans to peek into the daily lives of the Sint and his Pieten. Join Charlotte to uncover the secrets of the steamboat, see how the Pieten make the presents, and spot what they hide in their bedrooms.

Open this children's book and discover something new every time in the rich illustrations that bring the world of Sinterklaas to life the way only Charlotte Dematons can.

Number of pages: 36.
Uitgeverij Dematons.

This is item 9191567 in Het Mooiste Speelgoedboek 2026 by ilovespeelgoed.nl

This book is written in Dutch.