Children of the Northlights

by Ingri d'Aulaire, Edgar Parin d'Aulaire

From the beloved authors of D’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths and other classics comes a new edition of one of Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaires’s most beguiling children’s books. Long out of print, Children of the Northlights introduces readers young and old to siblings Lise and Lasse and to the captivating Sami people and culture of northern Scandinavia. At times mischievous and at others quite courageous, Lisa and Lasse, and their Sami culture, are brought brilliantly to life in the d’Aulaires’ illustrations. This remarkable sister and brother live at the very top of Norway—to Lise and Lasse, seemingly at the very top of the world. All bundled up against the polar winter in their coats of fur and furry shoes, they look at times like two little bears rolling in the snow. Beneath the bright dancing of the northern lights, we follow Lise and Lasse as they enjoy the long winter days and polar playing pranks on their family, chasing and playing with their reindeer Silverside and Snowwhitedeer, skiing, taking hot saunas to stay clean, and staying warm while snowstorms rage across the land. Lise and Lasse hunker down in their warm tent and wait for the sun to return, which, of course, it always does. When the sun comes back in spring, it’s time to go to school in the village (which Lise and Lasse happily do only after instructing their dogs to take very good care of Silverside and Snowwhitedeer while they’re away). Inspired directly by a remarkable journey the d’Aulaires took to northern Europe and their time spent among the Sami, Children of the Northlights is a brightly illustrated portrait and celebration of the Sami people, culture, and snow-covered landscapes of the frozen north, from two of the twentieth century’s greatest storytellers.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Geography, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Christmas, Folklore

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1935

About the author

Ingri d'Aulaire (1904-1980) was an American children's artist and illustrator, who worked in collaboration with her husband and fellow artist, Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. Born Ingri Mortenson in Kongsburg, Norway, she studied art in Norway, Germany and France, and met Edgar Parin d'Aulaire when she was a student in Munich. They married in 1925, and immigrated to the USA shortly thereafter, settling in Brooklyn in 1929. After pursuing separate careers initially, the couple turned to illustrating children's books together, releasing their first collaborative effort, The Magic Rug, in 1931. They settled in Wilton, Connecticut in 1941, and lived there until their deaths in the 1980s. Awarded the 1940 Caldecott Medal for their picture-book biography of Abraham Lincoln, the d'Aulaires published other children's biographies, as well as some notable works on Greek and Norse mythology. (source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming look at a lesser known culture, the Sami people of Northern Scandinavia. Children will not only identify with the fun and mischief, but also with the more serious happenings of the daily life of Lise and Lasse. The wonderful, detailed, happy-go-lucky illustrations add gaiety and spirit and the lively reindeer add a charm all their own.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting little story about the Lapp people. It is spread out over about 6 months so it is a strange story in an interesting part of the world. It's a world of know and reindeer.

The story starts out with a family and their herd of reindeer. They have snow adventures. They then go to school in the spring with the light. The Northern Lights are also discussed and pictured. A story from the 30s.

The art is black and white and then some pictures are in color. They are nice drawings.

The nephew thought it was ok and gave it 3 stars. It was a little long and they weren't sure what to make of the story.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although there is a "story" about a year in the life of a brother and sister, this book is mainly a description of daily life for the semi-nomadic Lapp reindeer herders (at least as it used to be). And boy, would it ever not be for me! Snow storms, darkness, isolation, weird practical jokes. As depicted by the D'Aulaires (who did go to Lappland to learn about this topic for the book) the Lapps seem pretty jolly about their hardscrabble life. "We got lost and buried in the snow overnight! Silly us!" At least they have cute doggies.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a collection of stories but it is actually just one, magical nonetheless. The story is that of a brother and sister of the Sami people of Scandinavia. It is less fairy tale and more a story of winter, with local customs throughout. The story of the authors, a married couple who traveled under the northern lights collecting stories and learning the culture, is almost as magical. Oh, to be one of those traveling story collectors. The illustrations in this book are just dreamy. It would make a lovely heirloom book for a child, one to read every Christmas eve, by candlelight, with tea or cocoa.

[Private Account · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 4-year-old loved this book. For me it was FASCINATING. The Sami people are nomadic. The Scandinavian governments have used extremely coercive tactics in trying to change them (while pretending they are "helping" them.) This book had a fascinating page where it talked about how the kids have to leave their families and go to boarding schools in the village during a certain season. It even said that the children used to not like going and the teacher would come and round them up, catch them with a lasso, and make them go. But they go willingly now. I appreciated that this children's book mentioned that reality of their life, even if it did make it seem okay.

Anyway, fun book and lovely pics, but I think it could have done better to explain a nomadic life to children who are not going to have any idea what that is.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated. A picture book that will be treasured by child and adult.

[Emily Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister gave us this book for our son when he was born. He's too young for it right now, but I read it and love it! The illustrations are wonderful and my son does like looking at them. It was a unique book choice as a baby gift, but my sister knows us well :).

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

used as part of our homeschool studies

[Forked Radish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun! What a happy life for children it must of been! I learned that dogs were probably first domesticated for tracking in snowy condition due to the olfactory excellence and that saunas were used because of the lack of running water due to the cold. On the negative side, the text was a bit clunky, and should have been refined by a good English editor.
Note: the 2012 PC intro by U of M is obnoxious.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The D'Aulaire's were a masterful storytelling team. As always, the artwork is lovely and the story is the best of both worlds, fun and informative. 💕

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my 8-9 year old literature class during their Christmas Party. They loved it.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The D'Aulaire's limpid illustrations of the Sami people of Norway are spectacular. The story is straightforward and well told. The only reason I left a star off was the "let's have them baptize their baby" moment - who needs the Christian intrusion in an otherwise lovely introduction to a far-off culture?

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors I first me when I was 8. I have never forgotten their captivating art, and fascinating stories. In that old spirit of reading those books from my childhood once more, I add this one.

It is dedicated to Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid of Norway.

As this was written in the mid 1930s, the word use is Lapp, rather than the modern preferred Sami people.
It is an engaging tale about two Sami children as they live life with their people during the Winter, under the Northern Lights herding the reindeer. Then, once the sun has returned to the sky, the children go to school in the village. Their parents promise to return when the melted snow on the mountain side resembles a man waving. They arrive in their reindeer-drawn sleds. Then it is time to return to their migrating herd so the reindeer can have the best foods through the summer, on the coast, during the sun-filled summer.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreaders, meet a boy named Lasse-Lapp and his sister, Lappe-Lise. For short, they're Lasse and Lise.

They are Sami children. In the background, their adventures can introduce us to the culture of northern Scandinavia, one of the best places on Earth for viewing the Northern Lights.

The drawings may look a little old fashioned to today's readers, since the book and its illustrations were published in 1935. Yet they're still very kid-friendly and lively.

JUST IMAGINE

Even young children, like Lasse and Lise, were allowed to drive their own reindeer. Together with their friends, they also did the fabulously invigorating alternation of sauna and go-roll-in-the-snow.

This reader's life is richer for meeting all the "merry Lapps" in this story. I recommend this FIVE STAR book to you most adventurous Goodreaders.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A year in the life of 2 somewhat mischievous Sami children from northern Scandinavia. My kiddos were particularly intrigued when the nomadic children were brought to school in town where they were immediately plopped in a steam room to clean themselves followed by swimming in the snow. I could practically see the wheels turning in my kids’ brains as they tried to figure out how the children got clean from sweat and snow! I’m sure they were questioning why mom makes them showers when they are sweaty or have been playing in the snow all day!

[Benjamin Bookman · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I do wish the text could be updated to reflect accurate terminology for the Sami people, and while I acknowledge that there are harmful stereotypes and vast oversimplifications involved, as a product of the past, the story is super sweet, super engaging, and also a great jumping off point to learn more about a people vastly different. The drawings are spectacular, the variety of adventures for such a short tale are inspiring, and I fully admit to reading multiple times to absorb as much as I could (and then going to learn more from more authentic sources).

[Two BookWorms Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book to cozy up with on these cold winter nights. Perhaps it might even inspire you to take a nighttime walk. Or maybe you’ll just stay cuddled together in those warm blankets.

For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...

[Jeff Vandegrift · Rating 5 out of 5]

My librarian said “five percent of the people that check this out do so over and over and over again, but ninety five percent just read it once and move on”. Seek out the large format original with super high quality prints, it’s a collectors item. My kids and I are part of the five percent.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations of Sami life and charming little story of two Sami children. There is a note at the front of the book about the use of Lapps in the text.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book about the Sami people of Northern Europe, their reindeer herding, and other aspects of their lives. Charming illustrations.