Annika's Secret Wish

by Beverly Lewis, Beverly Lewis

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 (NIV)


"What would I wish for?" Annika wondered aloud. "If ever I had the almond in my pudding...what would be my wish?"

In turn-of the-century Sweden, finding the almond hidden in the rice pudding is the Christmas Eve highlight for many children, since it means a chance to wish...for a new pair of snowshoes, a mountain of truffles coated with cocoa, an adorable kitten. For ten long years--all of her life--Annika has dreamed of discovering the almond in her own pudding. Will this be her year?

A beautiful book that will become part of a family's Christmas heritage, Annika's Secret Wish inspires young and old to freely give and share even long hoped-for gifts. The final page features Swedish Christmas traditions that your family may choose to include in your own holiday celebration.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Sweden, Holiday, Fiction, Christian

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sentimental story is a must read for Christmas. Full of warmth, Swedish tradition, family devotion, and Christ-like love, this profound tale will captivate your hearts with it's lush illustrations and meaningful message.

Read this one out loud with the family!

Ages: 5 - 9

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Kristin Nare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of my favorite children's Christmas books. A touching story of self-sacrifice and brotherly love, with the backdrop of Scandinavian/Swedish traditions.

[Meredith Henning · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love this one and Beverly Lewis narrated the audio cd, a must read before Christmas Eve!

[Alicia Ruggieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations – full of life, joy, and enchantment – struck me first. I love beautiful artwork; who doesn’t? 🙂 And Pamela Querin, the illustrator, gives us a heaping serving of that. Children will enjoy simply looking at the intricate pictures that fill the pages.

However, the story – simple, childlike, and with the heart of the Gospel (giving of oneself for others/self-sacrifice) woven throughout – equals the illustrations in loveliness. Gilded with old-fashioned Swedish traditions, the tale of how one little girl sacrifices her Christmas wish out of selfless love is truly one to read-aloud as a family year-after-year.

I highly recommend Annika’s Secret Wish.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annika cannot wait until Christmas Eve dinner. Whoever finds the one solitary almond in their rice pudding gets to make a wish! Papa always says that it's God who grants the wish, but this Swedish tradition is still fun. All the more, as the almond has eluded Annika for ten years now, she so strongly wishes that this year could be her turn to find it. But when the bowls of rice pudding are set before Annika and all the other family members, Annika does what is unexpected.

This is a lovely story of how one sibling can love another and also demonstrates how sacrificing for a loved one is also a gift to treasure.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one's been on my radar for a long time as a Scandi-specific Christmas story. I loved the illustrations and the portrayal of certain Swedish holiday traditions, but I found the story overly sentimental and problematic. Disability is handled very poorly in this story, which definitely falls into the trope of the disabled character being pitiable and weak and throwing off their disability after a "Christmas miracle," so just be warned if you're likely to read stories from a disability-informed perspective.

[Little Seesaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how this book shares traditions from Sweden. It is interesting how every country has different traditions. I like the tradition of finding the almond. I don't know about the pudding? I liked the artwork especially the beautiful nativity. I have a nativity similar to this and it is one of my favorites.

[Katharina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this story brings back many nostalgic memories from my own childhood. I poured over the illustrations and loved anything Swedish, and it’s a delight to see my children enjoy Anika’s world now.

[Crissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story that explains a family's Christmas traditions. Not only is it the family tradition but actually the tradition of the author's husband.

[Amanda Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandmother gave this book to me when I was a little girl, and it was everything I wish I had had growing up! A truly wonderful and heartwarming book!

[Hannah Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book for this time of year. I just read it to my siblings around our Christmas tree.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really resonated with my 6 year old daughter. It sparked conversations about different Christmas traditions, generosity and selflessness. So sweet!

[Hannah Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly a gift. Beautifully written and with a story about putting others before ourselves.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cry every time I read this aloud to my children!

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and touching! Oh to live in those simple days.

[What April's Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Swedish Christmas story. The story and illustrations reminded us, very much, of Jan Brett's beautiful work.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful living story , illustration everything

[Natasha Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story and illustrations.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and lovely story of Swedish Christmas traditions. The pictures made me hungry! My only complaint was it seemed to end abruptly without confirming what the wish was.

[Brianne Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reflected and embraced my Swedish heritage. But, even more than that, it taught that love sometimes requires sacrifices. This book is warm, and inviting, and the story draws you in and makes you feel for the characters. I would love to read this book to my classroom one day. Maybe I would use it in a unit that teaches how different cultures celebrate Christmas, or maybe I would use it to teach my students about what it means to really love someone. This is one of my favorite children's books and I would recommend it to any parent or teacher .

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice message for siblings at Christmas time. Lovely illustrations.

Similar Christmas picture books : The Gift of the Christmas Cookie by Dandi Daley Mackall; An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco; Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck; Annikas Secret Wish by Beverly Lewis; The Christmas Miracle Of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski; A Christmas Dress for Ellen by Thomas S. Monson; The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden; and Rosa by Leo Politi.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very endearing Holiday story that would be great to add to your yearly holiday reading. Don't have to be a child to enjoy it or the lesson that Ms Lewis instills in the book! Illustrations are wonderful as well...they tell the story almost without the words of course together make one really good Christmas story.

[Shellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my children as part of our Christmas reading during morning time.

The illustrations were beautiful. We enjoyed learning the Scandinavian Christmas traditions as the author weaved them within the context of a sweet story.

Definitely a memorable book. I appreciated the author's biblical perspective.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Beautifully illustrated story that shares the beauty and power of those nine words. Every child in Sweden wants to find the almond in their bowl of rice pudding on Christmas Eve and be able to make a special Christmas wish. For ten long years--all of her life--Annika has dreamed of discovering the almond in her own pudding. Will this be her year?

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Beautifully illustrated story that shares the beauty and power of those nine words. Every child in Sweden wants to find the almond in their bowl of rice pudding on Christmas Eve and be able to make a special Christmas wish. For ten long years--all of her life--Annika has dreamed of discovering the almond in her own pudding. Will this be her year?

[Jennybug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shares the swedish tradition of hiding an almond in the rice pudding. This is a wonderful Christmas story. "She knew that the almond could bring smiles and laughter, but only God could make a miracle." I loved this quote. The art work is beautiful.

[Brucie! · Rating 5 out of 5]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations by Pamela Querin are intricate and enticing - placing this story on my yearly Christmas reading list.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story and a yummy tradition that I will be starting in my own family.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read aloud. Good lesson in giving to others. However, it makes it sound like God only answers the prayer of the one with the almond.