The Christmas Wish
Lori Evert, Author
Per Breiehagen, Photographer
Random House, Fiction, Sept. 10, 2013
Suitable for Ages: 3-8
Themes: Christmas, Arctic region, Tundra animals, Santa Claus, Adventure
Opening: Long, long ago, in a place so far north that the mothers never pack away the wool hats or mittens, lived a sweet little girl named Anja, who greatest dream was to become one of Santa’s Elves.
Synopsis: Anja, who lives in the arctic region, dreams of being one of Santa’s elves. She watches the position of the North Star at night and memorizes the great map at school as she prepares for her trip. Leaving behind presents and a note for her family, she bundles in Nordic clothing and straps on her skis so she can travel through the deep snow. Along her way, a bird, a horse, a musk ox, a polar bear and a reindeer help Anja on her journey to find Santa Claus at the North Pole.
Why I like this book: Lori Evert has written an enchanting Nordic Christmas tale that is pure magic. The author was inspired to write the story when she saw an image of her daughter, Anja, with a reindeer. Award-winning photographer Per Breiehagen captivated this beautiful story with his extraordinary photographs of breathtaking landscapes and touching scenes of Anja. This was a beautiful collaborative effort by this husband-wife team, and their daughter Anja. The Christmas Wish is a treasure you will want to keep on your book shelf for years. Visit the The Christmas Wish website to see enlarged pictures of the book and a video.
Resources: Visit Random House for more information about the book. Click on the activity page at the top and you can download The Christmas Wish ornaments and find other winter activities. Encourage your children to take winter pictures of animals and children romping in the snow
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
Photographs! Nice touch for an unusual story. This is going on my to-be-read list.
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It is a very beautiful and unique book!
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Oh, this looks gorgeous and sounds wonderful, Pat! I want to read it right this minute!
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It is a wonderful Nordic story. Reminds me a lot of Jan Brett’s books, but with stunning photographs.
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It looks gorgeous. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank Niamh. It is a gorgeous book. What a keepsake for the couple’s daughter.
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I bought this book as a Christmas gift. It is so lovely and the story behind the photos is interesting too! I’m a little jealous that Anja will one day have this beautiful book of photos to look back on and treasure what her parents created for her and with her. 🙂
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I’m happy you enjoyed it as well. Yes, I can only imagine what a keepsake this will be for Anja. What a beautiful family project.
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I’m captivated by the illustrations! Now, I must have yet another Christmas book!
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Yes, they are very captivating. I’m keeping this one.
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PS Thanks for the suggestion of Hana’s Suitcase. I read it last week…. wonderful!
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Thank you so much for telling me. I’m glad you enjoyed it. My library carried the DVD of the story and it really is good.
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If the cover’s any indication, this one looks to be a real treat!
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The cover is stunning as are the remainder of the illustrations. I love the one with the polar bear. The story is magical.
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Lovely for Christmastime!
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Yes, it is a lovely Christmas book — for years to come!
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What a wonderful idea to write a children book and illustrate it with photos! I was so curious about what the book could look inside that I went to visit the photographer’s website at http://www.thechristmaswish.net. He put online many photos from the book and there is also a video. They look amazing! There is something magic about them!
Michela
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Thank you. I looked up the author and could find anything. Kept ending up at Random House. Am going to post the link. Aren’t the photographs absolutely stunning. Yes, there is something very magical about the pictures.
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I just peeked inside the book on Amazon–beautiful photos!!
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I knew you would love the photography. I just added a link that shows a few more photographs and a video.
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This book looks lovely. Can hardly wait to take a peek.
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This is such a wonderful Nordic story set in the 18th century. Photographs are breathtaking.
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What an adorable book. I just love the cover, so precious. I know a couple of little girls who would love this book.
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It really is a very special Christmas book. One that belongs in a collections of classics. Thank you for tweeting.
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Patricia, this looks and sounds like a wonderful book.
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It’s a very special book. A beautiful Nordic story with gorgeous photographs.
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Whoa. What a cover. Whoa.
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Glad you liked the Cover. You should click on the site I listed and you can see large picture inside the book and a video. This book is a keeper.
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Thank you!!
are you on instagram? We should follow one another! We are @_thewishbooks
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Dear Patricia,
Thank you for your kind words and recognition of our project- we very much appreciate your review.
Thank you those who commented as well.
All the best,
Lori, Per and Anja
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Oh! and please look for The Tiny Wish- it will be in stores on January 6, 2015…we are very excited about it!
L,P & A
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Will definitely get your book. I know it will be stunning.
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Lori,
Thank you so much for visiting my website and leaving a comment. I adored your beautiful book. It was my favorite Christmas book share last year. I gave a copy to my granddaughter and bought my own copy for my book shelves. I will definitely look up your new book. Love the title, “The Tiny Wish.”
Best,
Patricia
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Thank you, Patricia!
All the best to you and hugs to your granddaughter from Anja
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This Christmas I received “the Reindeer Wish” from my granddaughter with a note that she had met Anja at a book signing and she hoped I would read the book to my first great granddaughter who arrived on January 7, 2016. The new baby is named Anja Elise. I plan to do it as soon as I can. Two other grandmothers of the baby were given
“the Christmas Wish” and “Tiny Wish”. They are all special books.
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What a special gift from your granddaughter. The Christmas Wish book series is stunning and beautiful! I’m glad you love the books!
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Thank you for posting- we love hearing that people enjoy our books!
Congratulations on the birth of little Anja Elise.
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