Master Maid, by Aaron Shepard and illustrated by Pauline Ellison, is sadly out of print. I encourage you to track it down in your local library system if you can. It's a great story for reading aloud, and is an accurate version of an old Norwegian story. Leif is a headstrong young man who ignores the advice of his elders and seeks employment from a troll, only to discover that the tasks he is given are impossible to complete. With the advice of a maid in the troll's household, Leif manages to get even the most impossible jobs done. Irritated, the troll decides to eat Leif, but he and the maid escape together. The ending is a happy one, of course, but it also features a special twist that will delight and amuse adults.
In Jane Yolen's Sister Bear, little Halva finds a fuzzy, white bear cub in the woods and brings it home to raise as a pet. The bear is so clever and loving that she becomes known as "Sister Bear", and helps the family by bringing home lots of food. One day Halva decides to take Sister Bear to meet the King of Denmark, who enjoys unusual things. Along the way, the pair seeks shelter in an isolated cottage and end up beset by trolls. Halva and Sister Bear band together to fight off the troll attack. The illustrations are superb; special attention is given to the authentic Scandinavian clothing and traditional embroidery.
The Princess Mouse, by Aaron Shepard tells the tale of Mikko, who is old enough to marry and must follow family tradition by cutting down a tree and seeking a bride in the direction pointed by the fallen tree. Mikko's older brother arranges for his tree to fall in the direction of the home of the girl he wants to marry, but Mikko's tree points into the forest. Walking in that direction, all Mikko finds in a tiny mouse, who declares that she would be a worthy bride. Mikko falls in love with the mouse's sweetness, and after he and the mouse both pass tests of skill, he decides to marry her. On the wedding day, Mikko's wedding guests mock his bride, and his older brother punts the mouse into a river. When she emerges, she's no longer a mouse but a human princess, who takes Mikko back to her castle. This old Finnish folktale emphasizes that it's not what's on the outside that counts!
Also out of print but worth tracking down is The Maiden of Northland: A Hero Tale of Finland by Aaron Shepard. A story from the Finnish myth cycle, the Kalevala, this book is better suited to slightly older children. The story, told in verse, is the legend of Vainamoinen (the greatest of the magicians, who could never find a woman to marry him) and Ilmarinen, the greatest of the blacksmiths, competing against one another for the hand of Aila, the Maiden of Northland. Aila has no intention of marrying either of them, but her mischievous mother takes advantage of the situation.
D is for Dala Horse is a great alphabetical introduction to Scandinavian cultures, featuring a poem for each letter of the alphabet. Topics include the Norwegian Bunad, Puffins, Jokkmokk, and Reindeer.
Astrid Lindgren, the author of Pippi Longstocking, does a great job with this little story about the Tomten, a little gnome who helps look after and protect farmsteads. Traditionally, the Tomten (or Nisse, if you're Norwegian) will check on all the farm animals at night. If the animals are well cared for, the tomten will help look after the farm and the family that owns it. If the owners are cruel to their animals, the tomtens will take revenge. American readers will probably recognize the tomten/nisse as the inspiration for the "garden gnome". This book is a perfect, quiet, read-aloud for young children. If you like it, try The Tomten and the Fox by the same author.
One of several of Jan Brett's books with a Nordic theme, Trouble With Trolls is the story of Treva, who climbs Mt. Baldy with her dog Tuffi. Along the way, they meet up with five trolls who are intent on stealing Tuffi, but clever Treva outwits them and escapes. As usual, Brett's illustrations are delightful, and children will enjoy the subplot of a little hedgehog drawn on every page.
Written by professional storyteller Tanya Batt and illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli, this book will send a tingle of excitement down your spine as you journey on a breathtaking adventure to the magical land that lies east of the sun and west of the moon. Combining the themes of three classic wonder tales "East of the Sun, West of the Moon", "The Black Bull of Norroway" and "The White Bear King" this exquisite fairy tale takes its roots from the Scandinavian tradition, but its story and its message ("where there is no trust, there can be no love") are universal. Book description from Amazon.com.
While the origin of the epic poem Beowulf isn't technically Scandinavian (it's a Saxon work, the oldest known poem written in English), the main character of the story is the Norse hero Beowulf, who helps save the Danish King Hrothgar and his people from the monster Grendel. The Hero Beowulf by Eric Kimmel is an exciting condensed version for children, told as a simple narrative rather than in verse. Yes, the tale of Beowulf is gruesome and Kimmel doesn't change the content - Beowulf still defeats Grendel by ripping off the creature's arm. The gore factor could be a plus or a minus depending on your child's personality; for my kids, it's always a bonus!
The Race of the Birkebeiners by Lise Lunge-Larsen is an exciting true story from Norwegian history. In 1206, in the midst of the bitter Norwegian winter, the Birkebeiners ("birch-leggers", in English) must save the infant Prince Hakon from a rival tribe who wish to kill him and put a king of their own on the throne. Skiing through the snowy mountains as fast as they can, the Birkebeiners end up taking shelter in a barn that has been completely buried beneath the drifts, and miraculously keep the baby alive by feeding melted snow. King Hakon ended up being one of Norway's most powerful kings, and brought peace and prosperity to his kingdom. My boys love this book so much that I bought it, and we read it every winter.
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