We were snuggling into bed on a Saturday night. First we talked about our plans for Sunday morning. Then I asked what bedtime story I should share. My oldest grandchild Viviana gleefully whispered to me that she had her very first loose tooth. “Mimi, tell me how Jesus lost His first tooth.”

“Oh, Vivi,” I answered. “We don’t have those stories.”

In the conversation that followed, we talked about the Dead Sea Scrolls and fancy jars, caves and treasure seekers, and the stories that make up the Old and New Testaments.

“Maybe the explorers just haven’t found all the jars,” Vivi suggested and then continued. “I know! We should write stories about the life that Little Jesus might have had — just in case other kids wonder about Him, too.”

And that, my friend, is where this idea originated. Viviana and Grandchild 2, Olivia, and I are beyond proud of our stories. We fact-checked to ensure our details are as accurate as possible to the likely experience of a Jewish boy around 5 CE in Israel.

I am thrilled that the girls have a newfound affinity for Little Jesus. Through these stories, they have learned cultural aspects and values that I know will help them be better little humans — and someday better big humans. Thank you for spending your time reading this intro. Now I invite you to spend a little time checking out our storybooks!

Kimberley (aka Mimi)