Otto and the Secret Light of Christmas - 2nd Edition by Nora Surojegin (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A wonderful winter storybook from Finland. Read a beautifully illustrated chapter a night in the weeks before Christmas.

One day Otto, an adventurous elf, finds a postcard showing pictures of beautiful sparkling lights in the night sky with the words, 'The light of Christmas!' Otto decides he must see this brightness himself and so begins an amazing journey towards Lapland, in search of the secret light of Christmas.

Mother and daughter team Pirkko-Liisa and Nora Surojegin have painted a captivating picture of the landscape, wildlife and folklore of Finland, which is full of expressive and intricate illustrations.

Review Quotes

Praise for the previous edition:

'A captivating picture of the landscape, wildlife and folklore of Finland... A gorgeous and unique collection of stories promising many hours of delight in a highly recommended, different kind of holiday read.' - Midwest Book Review

'An intriguing read-aloud for younger children and an entertaining choice for independent readers who like fantasy.' - Kirkus Reviews

'Finnish culture and traditions woven into the story make for a fresh take on Christmas that can be read each day as the holiday approaches.' - School Library Journal

'The illustrations are beyond marvelous... This is a perfect holiday story.' - Youth Services Book Review

'A beautiful Christmas tale that is rich in references to Finnish folklore and culture with soft, intricate, glowing illustrations.' - Oregon Coast Youth Book Review

About the Author

Nora Surojegin is an author, illustrator and graphic designer from Finland whose books have been translated into several languages. She created Otto and the Secret Light of Christmas and Olwen Finds Her Wings in collaboration with her mother, Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin. Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin is a Finnish illustrator, renowned for her delicate, detailed portrayals of Finland's wildlife and folklore. She is the creator of An Illustrated Collection of Nordic Animal Tales, the illustrator of Otto and the Secret Light of Christmas and Olwen Finds her Wings, co-created with her daughter Nora, and An Illustrated Kalevala. Jill Timbers is a Finnish-English translator based in Normal, Illinois. Originally from Pennsylvania, Timbers followed a fascination with languages to Finland, where she fell in love with the country. Her literary translations include Otto and the Secret Light of Christmas and An Illustrated Collection of Nordic Animal Tales.