We made a short stop at Langelinje Pier to see the famed statue of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid. She has been passing time in the Copenhagen Harbor for over a 100 years. She looked beautiful, and a little sad, sitting on her rock.
Then we stumbled upon a statue of the Danish author himself! Right there, on the sidewalk along Hans Christian Andersen Boulevard!
You may recall that I mentioned Mr. Andersen in my post about the Nordic alphabet book D is for Dala Horse. "H is for Hans Christian Andersen..."
Which brings me to my giveaway! One lucky reader will win a bundle of three books for my Scandinavian Giveaway...
Book #1
D is for Dala Horse (ages 4-8) by Kathy-jo Wargin, illustrated by Renee Graef. Go here for my post about this fun and informative Nordic alphabet book.
Book #2
Per and the Dala Horse (ages 5-8) by Rebecca Hickox, illustrated by Yvonne Gilbert. With gorgeous illustrations, this imaginative book tells a Swedish version of a traditional "three brothers" folktale - complete with trolls, a magical Dala horse, and a brave boy who is trying to recover a gold communion cup that's been stolen from his church.
Book #3
Lucia Morning in Sweden (ages 4 and up) by Ewa Rydaker, illustrated by Carina Stahlberg. The author invites you into her childhood home in this sweet book about St. Lucia Day, which is observed every year on December 13. The resources at the end are wonderful: you'll find the legend of Saint Lucia; recipes for Lucia buns and ginger snaps; music and lyrics for the Santa Lucia Song; and helpful patterns for the Lucia (and/or Starboy) gown.
Well, dear readers - I hope you've enjoyed my little literary blog tour of Scandinavia.
When my mom proposed the trip to my sisters and me, I didn't know I'd find such a profuse culture of children's books, especially in Sweden!
I've learned a lot as I've introduced you to (or re-acquainted you with) Pippi, Emil, and Moomintroll. There is not a lot of depth to these fun books: these modern children's stories began appearing in the mid-1940's and are more about the curiosity, humor, and fantasy of childhood than about teaching children lessons through strong characters.
I didn't really touch upon the well loved Swedish author/illustrator Elsa Beskow, who often combined reality with elements from the world of fairies. But I did see her sweet books prominently displayed in bookstores!
Contemporary Swedish authors have no fear of taking on difficult and sometimes controversial subjects for kids. (Go here.) *Read this for guidelines about how you as a parent can help your kids choose books that are in keeping with your family values - teach them to distinguish issues from virtues. Some books focus on trendy issues rather than good character development, and many have a message agenda without much of a story.
Left out completely from my blog tour (except for the very Norwegian reference to trolls in the Moomin books and Lindgren's Tomten) are children's stories from Norway. Other than the D'Aulaire's books (Ingri d'Aulaire was Norwegian) - Leif the Lucky (a Viking boy), Ola, and their book of Norse Myths - I don't really know much about Norwegian kid lit, and didn't have the occasion to come across any during my visit.
SCANDINAVIAN GIVE-AWAY STARTS TODAY!
- Please leave a comment here, with your first name and last initial to enter my Swedish Picture Book Giveaway.
- You'll have a chance to win this bundle of three outstanding picture books about Scandinavia!
- Giveaway ends at midnight on Friday, August 26, 2016.
- Stop back by my blog on Saturday, August 27, 2016, when the winner will be announced.
- Winner must provide me with their mailing address to receive the books.
Thank you Wendy for the wonderful tour, and the chance to win these books. Having neglected to give our firstborn a Saint's name (in an Orthodox culture, oops!), she chose for herself Lucia, and has celebrated every Lucia morning since. This book has long been on our wishlist.
ReplyDeleteAw - that's so sweet! :)
DeleteThere is lots of Swedish blood in my mom's family so this was delightful to read. You've given me a number of new-to-me Swedish books to seek out! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I'm Swedish on my Dad's side. :)
DeleteWould love!
ReplyDeleteWould love!
ReplyDeleteI am of Swedish heritage on both sides of my family and love reading and learning all I can about that heritage. My daughter's name comes from one of the most famous Swedes of all time, Carl Linnaeus. My Linnea loved reading Per and the Dala Horse as a young girl and it would be great to have a copy to share with other family members!!
ReplyDeleteEllen S.
I love the name Linnea! :)
DeleteExcellent information
ReplyDeleteThank you , we would love the books to read to our grandchildren. when i was younger we use to have swedish students come and stay with us every year, i still have my Dala Horse which i was given , i would love to read the grandchildren some swedish tales as your blog has brough back many memories :)
ReplyDeleteLisa W-R
I'm happy to have helped bring back those memories. And I just love Dala horses!
DeleteLisa - You were chosen by List Randomizer as my giveaway winner! Please send me your mailing address via email within the week. My email address can be found in my profile, linked in the right sidebar>>>>>>>
DeleteThanks!
So sorry, Lisa - since you haven't contacted me in regards to this giveaway, I am going to have to choose another winner. :(
DeleteRenee Graef is so nice. She came to our town a few years ago for a Book Festival and taught a workshop that I brought my daughter to. We were homeschooling at the time and studied Kirsten in the American Girl Doll Series. We brought our books (we have so many she illustrated). She lovingly drew a bookplate on the inside cover and wrote to my daughter in it. My daughter brought her lapbook she made while studying Kirsten. A friend took a picture of them together for me. We love St. Lucia as well and have checked out one of these books several times from the library. Thanks for doing a give away on these great books!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome - and thank you for sharing your story about Rene Graef!
DeleteThank you for this generous giveaway. Every one of these books are lovely and would be honored to win them.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn C
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely! Thank you foe this beautiful opportunity. -Jennifer M
ReplyDeleteSo lovely! Thank you foe this beautiful opportunity. -Jennifer M
ReplyDeleteAngela W. I would love to win these books!
ReplyDeleteAnn-Christina G. We just returned from another trip to Denmark and Sweden and would be excited to read these books through the winter. Tak!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! I wish I could have stayed longer in Denmark. :)
DeleteAnn-Christina G. We just returned from another trip to Denmark and Sweden and would be excited to read these books through the winter. Tak!
ReplyDeleteHi! They look fantastic. I'd love to read them to my son if the giveaway is open to Europe. I studied Swedish some years ago, I love how it sounds. Have you read "The Christmas Wish", it's so so beautiful! It was made by an American/Norwegian family. Best regards from Spain,
ReplyDeleteMarta
I adore "The Christmas Wish" and featured it on my blog. I never saw it in any Scandinavian bookstores, but he authors have done a second book for springtime, "The Tiny Wish". I'd be happy to ship to Spain if you win this Scandinavian giveaway. :)
DeleteThese books look wonderful and remind me of my childhood! Thank you for this opportunity. :)
ReplyDeleteChantell G.
Donna A
ReplyDeleteThis is so exciting! I'm headed to New Sweden, Maine in a few days on a genealogy tour and have made my Swedish heritage a part of our family. These would be great books to read to my young granddaughters and pass on the traditions and lore to them! Thank you for offering the giveaway!
You're welcome. Have fun in Maine - I've never heard of New Sweden!
DeleteDonna A
ReplyDeleteThis is so exciting! I'm headed to New Sweden, Maine in a few days on a genealogy tour and have made my Swedish heritage a part of our family. These would be great books to read to my young granddaughters and pass on the traditions and lore to them! Thank you for offering the giveaway!
This is a wonderful giveaway. It would be a great win. Thank you for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteJoan C
What a lovely group of books. Each one is lovelier than the other. Thank you for this generous giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarion C
Loved seeing all of your amazing book adventures while you were away. No need to enter me in the contest, but wanted to say thank you for sharing so much of your trip with us!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome - it was an incredible experience. :)
DeleteThank you for the chance to win these beautiful books. I am a fan of Elsa Beskow and the D'Aulaires books as well as Astrid Lindgren and the Moomin books. These would be a lovely addition to our collection.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Dana L.
Oh I love Scandinavian childrens books. You should get to know Tove Jansson, she has amazing books. I love specially the Moomin ones :) I would love to be entered to this lovely giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteJenna O
Great post about your amazing trip. Hans Christian Anderson is a favorite of mine. I'd love to win these colorful picture books. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWe are studying Scandinavian folklore and history in our homeschool this year and would love to win this bundle! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth J.
That's great - good luck! :)
DeleteWould love to share these lovely books with my five-year-old son. We recently read a Mr. Pettson and Findus book based on your recommendation, and he loved it. We will be checking it out often from our library, I am sure. Thank you for sharing your love of good books with us all. ~ Beth B.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! So excited that your son liked Pettson and Findus!
DeleteThese books look lovely! And I think Astrid Lindgren's "Brothers Lionheart" reminds me of P and E!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this generous giveaway. These books a re so lovely.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn C
I am Norwegian/American and thrilled to find these resources in your Scandia series. Mange takk!
ReplyDeleteI love this giveaway. Thank you fro the opportunity to win these beautiful books.
ReplyDeleteMarion C
This is a great giveaway to win.
ReplyDeleteJoan C