The Tomtes' Christmas Porridge - by Sven Nordqvist (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A playful holiday picture book from Sven Nordqvist (creator of The Dog Walk and Findus and Pettson) with a story based on a Swedish Christmas tradition.

It's Christmas Eve, and Papa tomte is eagerly waiting for the human family to leave out a bowl of porridge. But Mama tomte has a terrible feeling the family have forgotten!

Mama tomte and the children hatch a plan to steal a bowl of Christmas porridge. Can they sneak through the house without being seen?

Sven Nordqvist, one of Sweden's most popular author and illustrators, is inspired by the tradition of leaving a sweet treat to thank the tomtes (magical gnome-like creatures) in this charming story that's full of delightful details.

Review Quotes

'The detailed cartoon art has a warm and cozy look with walls tinged with yellow from the candlelight. Illustrations can take up whole pages and the tomtes themselves look traditionally elfish in their caps and clogs... this offering will appeal to readers wanting the trappings of a classic Christmas folktale.' --School Library Journal

'A funny take on a beloved tradition, as well as a reminder of all that mamas do behind the scenes to make households run smoothly!' -- All Done Monkey Blog/p>

'Enchanting and cozy.' -- Luminous Libro Blog

Praise for The Dog Walk by Sven Nordqvist:

'This wordless book is so lavishly detailed, so exuberantly trippy, a kid can spend hours getting lost in its pages... It's the kind of densely illustrated book (like one of Mitsumasa Anno's classic "Journey" books) where you can always find a new mischievously hidden detail... A reminder that wonder is where you find it.' --The New York Times

'The ink, watercolor, and acrylic drawings have the genteel elegance and wide-ranging imagination of classic fairy tale illustration.' --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

'Amusement abounds in the mixture of modern and historical aesthetic elements... The perfect choice for a rainy day for readers and nonreaders alike.' --Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

'It's like Alice in Wonderland and M.C. Escher teamed up to make a wordless picture book. ' --School Library Journal

About the Author

Sven Nordqvist is one of Sweden's most popular writers and illustrators. His accolades include the Astrid Lindgren Prize and the Elsa Beskow Medal. His Findus and Pettson stories are internationally renowned and have been made into movies and a popular television show in Sweden and Germany. Sven is the creator of The Dog Walk and The Tomtes' Christmas Porridge. He currently lives in Stockholm, Sweden.