Hanna's Christmas

by Melissa Wiley, Melissa Iwai (Illustrations)

Hanna can't get used to the idea of celebrating Christmas in America. In fact, she wishes her family hadn't moved to America at all! It's nothing like home in Sweden. Luckily, Hanna's grandmother sends her a magical friend--a tomten--who may just be able to help her bring a Swedish Christmas to her new home.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Melissa Wiley is the author of The Nerviest Girl in the World, The Prairie Thief, Fox and Crow Are Not Friends, the Inch and Roly series, the Martha and Charlotte Little House books, and other books for kids. Melissa has been blogging about her family’s reading life and tidal homeschooling adventures at Here in the Bonny Glen since 2005. She is @melissawiley on Twitter and @melissawileybooks on Instagram.

Reviews

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

We loved reading about Hanna and the tomten! This book is out of print but there is a lovely video of the author reading it on YouTube.

[Meredith Henning · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO glad I've had my copy for several years, it's truly a collector's item now ;-) Always s fun read!!!

[Jennifer Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really lovely story that includes Swedish Christmas traditions.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually kinda freaked me out a little lol

[Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best St. Lucia’s day book there is

[Tina Sheng]

“Hanna's Christmas” is a realistic fiction story about a little girl from Sweden who moves to America and celebrates Saint Lucia's Day. I think the book is good for young readers to read because it shows that no matter what country you are in, you can still celebrate your own cultural holidays. For example, Hanna and the Tomten make a beautiful crown of fir branches and candles in America and they but celebrate many aspects of the Swedish cultural holiday of Saint Lucia’s Day. The illustrations of the story are very modern and artistic. They help represent various aspects of the Swedish holiday. The texts are longer, but it’s storytelling is very good. I think that the storyline can show more about the importance of celebrating with family and friends while also showing Hanna and the Tomten get ready for Lucia’s Day. I think the story could illustrate the love and excitement they have for Lucia’s Day a little bit more.

[Kim Bogren Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Hanna's Christmas by Melissa Peterson and Melissa Iwai, a young girl yearns for her home in Sweden after moving to the United States, especially after her mother tells her they won't have time to celebrate Saint Lucia's Day. However, with the help of a Tomten who arrived by accident in a package sent by her Grandmother, she is able to find home here.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thursday is St.Lucia day and I love this book. It's so much fun to read a story that celebrates Christmas traditions of other countries.

[Maren Prestegaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really appealed to Little M who adores sneaky, grouchy tomtes.