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

Story of the Vikings     by A. G. Smith

This 48-page coloring book contains plenty thoroughly researched, factual narrative chronicling the exciting life of the Norsemen — their Viking life in Norway and Iceland, raids into England and France, and their presence in America and Russia. Along with thirty-eight very detailed illustrations, there are also maps and information and sketches of ship construction, weapons, art, literature, battles, and more.

Although copyrighted, these illustrations — or parts of them — will inspire artists who are designing projects such as carving, painting, drawing, or even quilting. For ages 9 through adult; for grades 4 and up.

V2 - 08     Paperback   Coloring/Illustration Book   $3.95

Viking Designs: Stained Glass Coloring Book    by A. G. Smith

This collection of fanciful, but genuine, designs includes spiraling and interwoven images, real and mythological creatures, and an ancient rune stone portraying warriors in battle.

Although it is billed as a coloring book, the intricate designs — adapted from authentic Viking art — seem most appropriate for children aged 8 and up. Older children will enjoy coloring these intricate designs and when pages are finished, they can hold their creations up to various lights to discover the effects of a stained glass window.

  
V2 - 09      Paperback     $5.95

Norway: A Coloring & Activity Book    by 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: A Coloring & Activity 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: A coloring & Activity 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

Finland: A Coloring & Activity Book    by Kirsten Sevig

A Faraway Island    by Annika Thor

In the summer of 1939, Jewish sisters from Vienna, 12-year-old Stephie Steiner and 8-year-old Nellie, are sent to Sweden to escape the Nazis. Once their parents can flee to Amsterdam, the family plans to move to America. However, the world war intensifies and the girls remain, each with her own host family, on a rugged island off the western coast of Sweden.

Nellie quickly settles in to her new surroundings. She’s happy with her foster family and soon favors the Swedish language over her native German. However, Stephie finds it hard to adapt and is worried she may never see her parents again. She feels stranded at the end of the world with a foster mother who’s as cold and unforgiving as the island itself. This is the background, but also the beginning of the real story as changes in attitudes, circumstances and life itself occur.

This is the first of four books in a quartet featuring the Steiner sisters. The books were bestsellers in Sweden, have been translated into 17 languages, received high ratings from American parents, were adapted into a Swedish television series, and won the author — Swedish writer and librarian Annika Thor — many awards. This book is an excellent companion of Number the Stars listed below. Age level, 8 and up.

CHW - 06    Hardcover    $16.99    Now $14.00    

Number the Stars     by Lois Lowry

For Annemarie, life in Copenhagen is a complicated mix of ordinary home and school life, food shortages, and the constant presence of Nazi soldiers. To her courage is something dragon-slaying knights do in the bedtime stories, but soon Annemarie's bravery is tested.

Set in 1943 when Nazis occupied Denmark, 10-year-old Annemarie Johansen is asked to perform a heroic deed and aid her uncle. "How brave are you, little Annemarie?" Uncle Henrik asks, and thus the story's action begins. Through Annemarie's eyes, the reader learns about the Danish Resistance and how they smuggled nearly 7000 people across the sea to Sweden.

Lowry has taken adult themes such as loyalty, friendship, and courage and put them into a child's perspective. This book won Lowry the Newbery Medal and the ALA's Notable Children's Book Award, and was declared by the School Library Journal as the Best Book of the Year.

This book pairs well with A Faraway Island listed above. For ages 10 and up.

CHW - 04 Paperback $6.99

Although quite a few books have been and are being written about World War II, not many dealing with the subject of Norway's occupation and the resistance that took place there were written for teen readers.  "Reckless Courage", based on a true experience, helps fill that gap.

Fuller tells the story through the actions of a brave young boy, Gunnar Haines — just 12 in 1940 — whose older brother had joined the underground resistance and was hiding out in the mountains. Gunnar, drawing inspiration from his role model, began discreet, aboveground resistance work in his own neighborhood working (or posing) as a clever, risk-taking errand boy at a hotel housing German officers. 

Full of engaging anecdotes and inspirational stories, this book portrays the astuteness, persistence, and yet warmth of one family and of the country. It succeeds in giving both a personal and a big-picture look at Norway from 1940—1945.

Written for teens in grades 8 through 11, adult war buffs will also enjoy this book for the adventures, the historical notes, and a sound bibliography.

CHW - 08     Hardcover   $9.95

The Winter War   by William Durbin

However, the Finns' best allies turned out to be the bitter cold (as low as minus 56 degrees, and their skill at skiing in all kinds of weather when heavy Russian tanks couldn't function.

CHW - 05    Hardcover    $15.99