Books

When thirteen-year-old Matt Thorsen and Fen and Laurie Brekke, modern-day descendants of Thor and Loki, discovered they were fated to take the places of the Norse Gods in a battle against the apocalypse, they thought they knew how things would play out. Gather the other descendants, defeat a giant serpent, and save the world. No problem, right?

Wrong. The descendants' journey grinds to a halt when their friend Baldwin is poisoned and Matt, Fen, and Laurie must travel to the Underworld in hopes of saving him. From there, they'll have to reunite the challengers, find Thor's hammer, and save humanity - that is, if they can survive a journey filled with enough monstrous beasts and godly enemies to make Matt and his friends legends in their own right.
Young Adult fiction.  Ages 8-12.  368 pages.  Paperback. The Blackwell Pages. By K. L. Armstrong and Melisa Marr

Maud is an irascible 88-year-old Swedish woman with no family, no friends, and…no qualms about a little murder. This funny, irreverent story collection by Helene Tursten, author of the Irene Huss investigations, features two-never-before translated stories that will keep you laughing all the way to the retirement home.

Ever since her darling father’s untimely death when she was only eighteen, Maud has lived in the family’s spacious apartment in downtown Gothenburg rent-free, thanks to a minor clause in a hastily negotiated contract. That was how Maud learned that good things can come from tragedy. Now in her late eighties, Maud contents herself with traveling the world and surfing the net from the comfort of her father’s ancient armchair. It’s a solitary existence, and she likes it that way.

Over the course of her adventures—or misadventures—this little bold lady will handle a crisis with a local celebrity who has her eyes on Maud’s apartment, foil the engagement of her long-ago lover, and dispose of some pesky neighbors. But when the local authorities are called to investigate a dead body found in Maud’s apartment, will Maud finally become a suspect?

A step-by-step handbook to help guide you in researching your Swedish ancestors. Learn what Swedish records are available, where to find them, and how to use them­. Also discusses Swedish naming practices, and other helpful background information. By Per Clemensson & Kjell Andersson, this book is published by Ancestry Publishing. 

From one of the world's most renowned authors on spirituality comes an accessible introduction to runes. Nordic runes are the most popular and easiest symbols to work with and can effectively release energy for a positive purpose in one's life. Cassandra Eason explains to spiritual seekers exactly what runes are, how to make their own, which ones are right for them, and much more.

Previously all separate books, these works have now been combined into one collection subtitled "Paintings from the Swedish Arts and Crafts Movement." Accompanied text provides insight into Carl Larsson's life in his home, with his family, and on his farm. Hardcover. 102 pages.

Trolls haunt snowy forests, and terrifying monsters roam the open sea.
A young woman journeys to the end of the world, and a boy proves he knows no fear.
This collection of 16 traditional tales transports readers to the enchanting world of Nordic folklore. Translated and transcribed by folklorists in the 19th century and presented here unabridged, the stories are by turns magical, hilarious, cozy and chilling. They offer a fascinating view into Nordic culture and a comforting wintertime read. Ulla Thynell's glowing contemporary illustrations accompany each tale, conjuring dragons, princesses and the Northern Lights. This special gift edition features an embossed, textured case and a ribbon marker. Hardcover. 168 pages.

From the creators of the bestselling The Christmas Wish comes a new wintry tale, in which brave Anja rescues a baby polar bear! Another winter has come for Anja! She, her cousin Erik, and her new puppy, Birki, are excited to explore the snow on their dogsled and make their way to the Christmas party. But on their journey, a great blizzard leaves the travelers stranded, and a lost baby polar bear comes to their tent looking for help. Can Anja and her friends help the little bear find his mother? Hardcover. 48 pages.  By Lori Evert and photographs by Per Breiehagen.

This delightful Hide and Seek book features Moomin - one of the most popular children's characters in Sweden. Big flap for little hands keep your child or grandchild entertained while learning! 

The Dala Horse: History Tradition Handicraft

Sweden is an illuminating and practical guide to Swedish culture and society. It will help you turn your visit - whether it's for business or for pleasure - into a memorable and enriching experience.

Local customs and traditions
The impact of history, religion, and politics
The Swedes at home, work, and play
Eating and drinking, Swedish Style
Dos, don'ts, and taboos
Business Practices
Communication, spoken and unspoken

Known as “Sju sorters kakor” in Sweden, this popular cookbook is a modern classic. It features cookies, sweet breads, butter cakes, tortes and other delights of the Swedish dessert table. The first edition came out in 1945, right after the war with its years of rationing, when home cooks were exicted about baking again. Over the years it has been continuously modernized and improved so that today’s edition, with almost 300 recipes, is a combination of new, modern cakes, cookies and pastries, as well as classic favorites. Prize-winning recipes from earlier editions are noted. Ingredients are common and easy to find, and if not, substitutions are suggested. For those with dietary concerns, there's an index directing you to 33 gluten-free, 8 sugar-free, and 54 egg-free recipes. Over 3.4 million copies of this exciting cookbook have sold in Sweden over the years. Every easy-to-follow recipe is accompanied by a color picture of the finished treat. 

A vivid retelling of Norse mythology that explores these legendary stories and their significance and influence on the Viking world.

Valhalla and its pantheon of gods and heroes have always fascinated readers, whether it is how these tales illuminate the Viking world or influence cultural touchstones like J.R.R. Tolkien, whose Middle Earth is heavily indebted to Germanic and Norse mythology, as well as Hollywood and comic-culture.

In Tales of Valhalla, the Whittocks have dramatically retold these rich stories and set them in context within the wider Viking world. Including both myths — stories, usually religious, which explain origins, why things are as they are, the nature of the spiritual — and legends — stories which attempt to explain historical events and which may involve historical characters but are told in a non-historical way and that often include supernatural events. Tales from Valhalla is an accessible and lively volume that brings these hallmarks of world literature to a new generation.

288 pages. Paperback.

This book, chocked full of easy crafts, recipes and tidbits of holiday traditions, will help make your family or classroom Christmas a Swedish one. Patterns for a straw goat, heart basket and other ornaments; 27 recipes, and lots more. By Helen Ingeborg. 32 pages. Paperback. 

Sweeping adventure, breathtaking twists of fate, and immersive worlds based in Norse mythology are woven into this first volume of the Runestone Saga, from the New York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima.

Ever since Ragnarok—the great war between the gods and the forces of chaos--the human realm of the Midlands has become a dangerous place, bereft of magic, where most lead lives of desperation.

Sixteen-year-old Eiric Halvorsen is among the luckier ones. Between fishing, going vikingr, and working his modir’s farm, the family has remained prosperous. But Eiric stands to lose everything when he’s convicted by a rigged jury of murdering his modir and stepfadir. Also at risk is his half-systir, Liv, whose interest in seidr, or magic, has made her a figure of suspicion. Then a powerful jarl steps in: He will pay the blood price if Eiric will lead a mission to the fabled Temple at the Grove—the rich stronghold of the wyrdspinners, the last practitioners of sorcery.

Spellsinger, musician, and runecaster Reginn Eiklund has spent her life traveling from town to town, performing at alehouses all for the benefit of her master, Asger, the fire demon she is desperate to escape. Then after one performance that amazes even Reginn herself, two wyrdspinners in the audience make her an irresistible offer: return with them to the temple to be trained in seidr, forever free of Asger.

Eiric, Liv, and Reginn’s journeys converge in New Jotunheim, the site of the Temple at the Grove, a paradise fueled by magic. They soon realize that a great evil lurks beneath the dazzling surface, and that old betrayals and long-held grudges may fuel another cataclysmic war. It will require every gift and weapon at their command to prevent it.

560 pages. Hardcover.

Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Epic

Set in Sweden, this is the story of a wild little troll who runs away from home because he doesn’t want to do his chores. Rollo tries living with various woodland animals, but he finds out that there is no place like home, and he returns just in time for the best Christmas ever. A warm, fun-loving Christmas picture book for families to share. By Jan Brett

A delightful coloring and craft book with lots of Scandinavian things to do and to learn. There’s history, traditions, geography, holidays, recipes, songs and more. Everything is presented in a fun and informative way by artist, Kirsten Sevig. Softcover, 48 pages.

The authors of The Christmas Wish bring you The Reindeer Wish! When Anja discovers an abandoned baby reindeer in the woods, she cares for it and raises it as her own. They become dear friends and have many adventures together, but as the reindeer grows he wishes to rejoin his kind. So Anja leads him to join the greatest reindeer of all -- those on Santa's sled team. Hardcover. 46 pages. By Lori Evert and photographs by Per Breiehagen.

Winter has arrived, and the forest is covered in snow. But with the tree branches bare and the grass frozen, what will the forest animals eat? Norbert decides to visit his hungry friends, trekking through the icy forest to bring each of them a delicious gift. Beautifully illustrated board book about friendship and kindness. For very young readers. By Daniela Drescher. 

A beautiful alphabet book for everyone who loves Elsa Beskow's classic picture books. Journey through the world of Elsa Beskow, from Accordian to Zzz, with everything in between: Cow and Elephant, Flowers and Igloo, and even Jack Frost and Queen. This beautifully presented gift book gathers illustrations from Elsa Beskow’s lesser-known and most-loved work, including The Flowers’ Festival, The Sun Egg, Pelle’s New Suit, and Woody, Hazel, and Little Pip.

Size: 6.25" x 6.5" 176 pages. Hardcover.

Prepare yourself for the wrath of the Norsemen! That is, if you don't mind and it's not too inconvenient...

Everyone knows Vikings are ruthless barbarians whose idea of a good time involves pillaging, plundering and feasting. But Thorfinn is no ordinary Viking! He is always polite and happily offers to wash the dirty dishes. Too bad his dad is Harald the Skull-Splitter, Village Chief and the roughest and toughest Viking of them all.

Harald the Skull-Splitter and fellow chief Magnus the Bone-Breaker find a massive treasure chest in the remote Western Isles of Scotland. Thorfinn and his rival Olaf must guard it overnight, but despite their best efforts, they can't help falling asleep. In the morning the treasure has disappeared and now Thorfinn's village is at stake. Can Thorfinn the Nicest Viking and his friends find the missing loot in time to save their village?

Thorfinn the Nicest Viking is a funny, illustrated, action-packed new series for young readers which bridges the gap between Horrid Henry and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, set in a world where manners mean nothing and politeness is pointless!

7.75 in. x 6.25 in. 136 pages. 50 b&w illustrations. Ages 6-8. Paperback. By David MacPhail and Illustrated by Richard Morgan.

A charming, humorous tale of six children living on three farms in the Swedish countryside. It’s a delightful look at simpler times, with lessons about Swedish traditions, too. Of interest to kids ages 4 and older, and for young readers ages 8 to 12.  Written by beloved Swedish author Astrid Lindgren.

Sit down at the piano, dust off the accordion! You'll have hours of fun with this collection of 96 songs familiar to Swedish-Americans. There are folk songs, children's songs, Christmas songs and hymns. All are arranged for piano, with guitar and accordion chords, and lyrics in Swedish. English translations, many singable, are included for all the songs. There are historical notes and delightful illustrations throughout. Softcover.

This book shows the fascinating diversity and beauty of Sweden. Sweden, a symbol of Scandinavian idyll, inspires with its falun-red wooden houses surrounded by dense forests, with its quiet bays, long sandy beaches, lighthouses and windmills, colorful boathouses, the glittering sea between archipelagos, the infinite number of lakes, the lonely and wide snow landscapes, dog sleds, reindeer and moose.

Udo Bernhart has been working as a freelance photographer and photo journalist for more than 35 years and has published countless reports in national and international magazines. Growing up in the Vinschgau and closely connected to the South Tyrolean landscape, his commissions have taken him all over the world. Traveling and discovering the world belong to Sabine von Kielin's passions alongside art and media. She financed her studies as a flight attendant and traveled almost the whole of America and the most diverse places on earth.

Paperback. 456 pages.

The Insight Guides are beautiful, visual guides to destinations worldwide. They are renowned for their striking color photographs which vividly convey a sense of everyday life. They each contain detailed maps and helpful travel tips, along with a wealth of information about the culture, commerce, government, arts and literature, sights and sounds of the country they describe. Insight Guide Scandinavia is your comprehensive guide to Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Full-color photos throughout combine with lively text to inspire you to discover this vast and fascinating region. Lively and engaging essays on history and culture cover a wide range of subjects, from the legacy of the Vikings to the food and drink, while the Places chapters will help you plan your trip to this natural landscape of sparkling fjords and rocky mountains, glassy lakes and rushing rivers, dense forests and frozen tundra. Major sites are cross-referenced with the detailed maps to help you get around, while the travel tips give you all the planning information you’ll need, including recommendations about where to eat and where to stay.

Vilhelm Moberg's beloved saga of Karl Oskar, his wife Kristina, and their family is a story that has been echoed by millions of other immigrants to this new, and sometimes strange land. Originally written in Swedish more than 60 years ago after months of research in Minnesota, the "Emigrant" books are classics on both sides of the Atlantic. Listed on Sweden's "Books of the Century" list. Softcover, in English.

A Love Letter to the Baking of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden

Simply Scandinavian is a beautifully inspiring collection of easy and delicious recipes.

In a nod to the Scandinavian way of eating, this book offers over 80 unpretentious and straightforward dishes with a focus on ease of cooking and seasonality. By showing just how achievable it is to get amazing flavors out of a handful of good ingredients, Trine creates solutions for easy breakfasts, vegetable-forward mid-week meals and simple but impressive ways to entertain family and friends. This is an uncomplicated and greener way to cook and eat, from an expert in Scandinavian cookery.

Trine Hahnemann is a Danish chef and food writer and an enthusiastic advocate for sustainable solutions, organic sourcing, and food cooked with love. With her great knowledge of Danish food and food culture, she writes for and appears regularly in the media in America and Britain. Trine has written several cookbooks both in her native Danish and in English, including Scandinavian Comfort Food, Scandinavian Green and Copenhagen Food, winner of the Guild of Food Writers award for International or Regional Cookbook.

Hardcover.