Books
about Farm Life, Small Town Life, the Midwest, and
Scandinavian-Americans
Featuring
the Heartwarming Humor of "Those Lutheran Ladies"
Children's
Books
Gallop!
A Scanimation Picture Book by Rufus
Butler
Seder
Employing a
patented new technology called Scanimation, which
harkens back to the
old
magical days of the kinetoscope, each page in this book is a marvel
that brings
animals, along with one shining star, to life with art that literally
moves.
Complementing the art is a delightful rhyming text.
"Gram, this book is cool. The horse gallops when you open the
book." Lynnsey, age 10.
"It's very, very entertaining." Erika, an avid reader.
Ch - 40 Hardcover $12.95
The Visit: The Origin of The Night
Before Christmas Written by Mark K. Moulton as
told
by Dinghy Sharp, great-great-granddaughter of
Clement Moore Illustrations by Susan Winget
Dinghy Sharp, a direct descendant Clement Clarke Moore who created the
classic poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas," relates the history of
the writing of the poem as passed down through the generations in her
family.
Writing in the same bouncy, anapestic meter that Moore used in the 1822
poem, Moulton takes Sharp's story and shapes it into a delightful
companion work to the original poem; "I shall start out this tale with
some little-known facts that have long been forgotten or slipped
through the cracks." This wonderful 56-page book is accompanied by the
detailed illustrations of Winget, a nationally renowned artist whose
work conveys a true historical sense of time and place, and even
includes a reproduction of Moore's poem in his beautiful
handwriting. Great for parents and grandparents to read to the
young. Ages 9 to 12.
CH - 29 Hardcover (padded)
$14.95
The Fiddler of the Northern Lights
by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
Illustrations by Leslie
W. Bowman
While the
fiddling, Northern Lights, ice skating, dancing and the artwork in this
book are reminiscent of stories about Northern Norway and about
immigrant life in the northern states, this pleasant tale takes place
in Quebec.
And like grandfathers world-over, the grandfather in this book has many
magical stories to tell, and young Henry is not sure which of
Grandfather Pepin's stories are true and which are make-believe.
However, it doesn't matter a lot to Henry and the grandfather-grandson
bond is strong. Beautiful illustrations and the sense of mystery and
wonder created by the story easily capture the attention of
youngsters. For ages 5 to 10; 32 pages.
CH - 30 Hardcover $16.99
East by Edith
Pattou
This
new release is a rather massive publication (507 pages) which will
provide nightly reading throughout the winter for those ages 12 and
older.
Several centuries ago in the rural parts of Norway there was a
superstitious belief that children would inherit the qualities of the
direction in which they were born. East is about Rose, the youngest of
eight, who was a North-born baby. Legend held that North-born babies,
although intelligent, would be wild and adventurous and bound to break
their mothers' hearts.
This new publication is roughly based on the old Norwegian fairy tale
East of
the Sun and West of the Moon which was one of the many folk tales
Asbjørnsen and Moe (often
called the Brothers Grimm of
Scandinavia) committed to writing in the late 1800s to preserve the
rich oral tradition of Norway. This same original tale in Sweden is
called Prince Hat under the Ground, and variations of the same
themes —beasts, bears, brave daughters, greedy fathers, trolls, castles
and poison — are found in the folk tales of many countries throughout
the world.
Pattou has written a compelling novel based on old themes that has been
called a page-turner,
"a worthy retelling" of this folk tale,
"compelling" and a book that "really stands out." It has received
seven national book awards including several from the American Library
Association.
CH - 31 Paperback $8.95
Christmas Trolls
by Jan Brett
Now affordable as a paperback,
this book is worth every penny just for the colorful and magical
artwork by popular children's author and illustrator, Jan Brett.
As Treva and her family prepare for Christmas, their favorite
decorations and the Christmas pudding disappear. Eventually Treva
finds the culprits—two trolls who think they can steal Christmas. She
shows these irresistible trolls how to truly have Christmas. Little
children will learn about sharing and giving, and all readers will be
enchanted -- once more -- by the Scandinavian folk details in Brett's
bright, crisply defined art. Pay attention to the page borders where
the trolls' charming pet hedgehogs are busy with their own Christmas
activities.
CH - 26
Paperback
$6.99
Hans Brinker as retold by Bruce Coville; Illustrations by Laurel Long
Hans Brinker, sometimes titled 'The Silver Skates,' is a novel by Mary Mapes Dodge written in 1865 about Hans and Gretel Brinker, two very poor children in Holland. The book was a classic in American schools for generations, but has been neglected of late. Coville and Long decided that the story had a lot to offer today's youth, but that it could be done in a simpler form with Long's luminous paintings to illustrate the historical and geographical content.
Along with maintaining the theme of a family struggling against great odds, it was Colville's intention to also introduce today's young readers to the good character of Hans. As Colville writes, "In our cynical age the boy seems almost too good to be true. But the fact is that the hearts of children yearn for such goodness, yearn for role models." Colville feels that Brinker's story and character serve this need for today's young people.
This 40-page book, geared to readers ages 9 to 12, is a precious look at a time long gone, but one that offers hope for the current and future generations. It remains a classic.
CH - 32 Hardcover $16.99
Immigration and Pioneer Stories
Song
of Sampo
Lake
by William Durbin
Fellow
Northeastern Minnesotan,
William Durbin, continues to produce wonderful historical fiction for
elementary and middle school children. This book, published in 2002,
examines Finnish immigrants who settle in Minnesota and are met with
both hardship and opportunity. Young Matti Ojala, the main character,
chooses to focus on opportunity as he brings the reader with him on
all sorts of adventures. Ages 9-12.
CH - 15
Paperback $5.95
Dandelions
by Eve
Bunting; illus. by Greg Shed
This
sweet story of homesteading on the Nebraska prairie is made even better
with the wonderful illustrations by Greg Shed, and the golden hue on
each
picture emphasizes the glow and warmth of dandelions. It is this warmth
-- and the foresight of a little girl -- that helps a transplanted and
lonely family take root in new soil. For grade 2 and up. CH
- 3 Paperback $6.00
Bluestem
by Frances Arrington
Similar
to the theme in 'Dandelions' and 'The Gift' (both on this page), this
novel strengthens the element of suspense as 11-year-old Polly and her
sister, Jessie, are forced to hide in the tall prairie grass so their
only
neighbors, the mean-spirited Smiths, do not put the girls on an orphan
train. For
grades 4 through 7.
CH
- 1 Paperback $5.99
The
Gift by Marcia S. Freeman; illus. by Patrice Kennedy
Written
for ages 9 - 12, this heartwarming story about a Norwegian immigrant
family in Dakota Territory in the 1800s, appeals to readers of all
ages. A story of the generosity, hope and love that sustains a family
is
balanced against the reality of isolation and loneliness on the
prairie.
CH - 9 Hardcover $14.95
A
Bride for Anna's Papa by Isabel Marvin
A
story about Finnish Immigrants on Minnesota's Iron Range in 1907.
Thirteen-year-old Anna Kallio is forced to leave school to keep
house for her father and younger brother after her mother dies.
Anna and her brother conspire to find a wife for their father so
Anna can return to school--even if it means a mail-order bride
from Finland! This children's novel contains almost all of the
crises common to immigrant life, and serves as a great
introduction to the study of immigration and to Finnish-American
customs. Ages 8-12.
CH
- 14 Paperback $6.95
Viking Stories
Who
Were the Vikings?by Jane Chisholm and
Struan Reid
A 32-page, fact-filled paperback
with colorful sketches of the Viking life including homes, dress,
ships, gods, games and alphabet. The facts are made more interesting
with the addition of specific addresses to Usborne Web links that lead
the reader to even more information, pictures, puzzles and games.
Written for children and frequently used by adults.
V2 - 01 Paperback $4.95
Vikings:
The Book and
CD That Work Together by Interfact
Can you write in "runes"? Have you explored a Viking
village? Have you ever played Viking games? This Interfact set gives
you a chance to do these things and more, and it's a great way to
learn. The CD ROM
has 15 hours of activities, games and on-screen adventures and runs on
both PCs with Windows and Apple Macintosh. The book is loaded with more
fascinating information and highlighted with lots of full-color
illustrations and photos.
For ages 7-12.
V2 - 02 $14.95
The
Viking Explorers by Jim Gallagher
A well-written, easy-to-read history of the
explorations and discoveries of the Vikings from the 8th to 13th
centuries supplemented with full-color illustrations and paintings,
maps, index, a clear timeline and list of other references. This book
is part of the Explorers of New
Worlds series.
For ages 8-13, or grades 4-8.
V2 - 03 $8.95
Vikings:
My World
byPeter Chrisp
Thora, a girl living in Orkney
off the coast of Scotland in the year 942, invites the reader to
explore her world through crafts, activities, stories, and historical
facts. Directions for activities such as making jewelry, an antler comb
or a Viking ball make this book great for class projects or at-home
pretending. Photographs of Thora and her brother, Erik, and their
friend, Deirdre, in costume help bring the past alive and make learning
history very interesting. For ages 7-10.
V2 - 04 Hardcover $14.95
General
Scandinavian Girl and Boy
Paper Dolls by Kathy Allert
In addition to four Swedish
costumes and four Norwegian "bunader," the two paper dolls -- Karen and
Lars-Erik -- have eight more colorful Scandinavian costumes to choose
from including ones from Finland, Lappland, Denmark, Iceland and
Greenland. Ages 3 - 10.
CH - 6 $3.95
Norway
Coloring Bookby Kirsten Sevig
This is a
Coloring Book Plus. This fun 48 page book which includes great tidbits
about Norwegian
crafts, recipes, songs, and traditions is a great introduction to
Norway. Children (and adults) can color images of Norway's
fjords, farms, costumes,
towns, vikings, and trolls and learn about holidays, "rosemaling," goat
cheese
and stave churches at the same time. Ages 5 - 12.
CH - 4
$7.95
Sweden
Coloring Book by Kirsten Sevig
Just
like the Norway Coloring Book
, this too, is a Coloring Book Plus. These fun filled 48 pages subtly
teach about special Swedish crafts, recipes, songs, holidays, folklore
and traditions. As children color pictures of Sweden's castles, its
countryside and costumes, they'll be learning about Dala horses, folk
instruments, the Maypole, Sankta Lucia and the Sami. Ages 5 - 12.
CH - 5 $7.95
Denmark
Coloring Book
by Kirsten Sevig
New to the
Sevig's Scandinavian
coloring book collection is the Denmark book. Like the other two, this
is more than a coloring book. Forty-eight fun-filled pages offer
crafts, recipes, songs, city and country scenes including windmills,
and great coloring pages that teach about the traditions and holidays
in Denmark. Ages 5 - 12.
CH - 16
$7.95
The Emperor's New Clothes
by Hans Christian
Andersen
A story loved by generations and written by Denmark's beloved Hans
Christian Andersen, this story points out how adults are easily swayed
by their leaders and need the innocence and honesty of children to
point out the truth. This version is delightfully illustrated by
Virginia Lee Burton, a well-known artist in her own right. Ages 5 &
up. 44 pages.
CH
- 11 Paperback $6.95
The
Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen
When
the cold-hearted Snow Queen abducts her dear friend, Gerda
sets out on a perilous and magical journey to find him and try to free
him from the Snow Queen's dreadful spell. One of Andersen's
best-beloved tales, The Snow
Queen is a story about the strength and
endurance of childhood friendship and, as in many of Andersen's
stories, good triumphs over evil. Anderson
began writing The Snow Queen
on December 5, 1844 and it was
published sixteen days later in book form! Andersen's stories have
been translated into more than 100 languages and some, such as The
Little Mermaid, have been made into movies.
CH - 12 Hardcover $8.95
Snow
Treasure by Marie McSwigan
A
story of courage and adventure about Peter and his young friends who
have key roles in a dangerous plan to get Norway's gold out of the
country during WW II. Recently reissued, many American adults will
recall reading this story in grade school in the '50s, and cheering
when the children hid the gold in their snowsuits and went
sliding past the Nazi officers and down to a ship which safely
transported
the gold out of Norway and out of danger.
CH
- 10 Paperback $4.50
Erling
Rolfsrud's seven Pioneer Stories
are also appropriate reading for young adults. Children
who are interested in learning words in Norwegian or Swedish
should check out the illustrated dictionaries here.
Order by using the 'Place an Order' form or
you may order by
phone (800 494-9124). For payment and shipping charges, see 'Place an Order.'