SBSCA Scandinavian holiday reading recommendations

A curated selection of cozy Christmas books

In Norway and in all the Nordic countries, Christmas is a time for reading and gifting books. Each year, new titles are released during the holiday season to be enjoyed at Christmastime and throughout the year. In Iceland, there is even a name for this, the Jólabókaflóð, or "Yule Book Flood."

So, why not start early with your yuletide reading this year with the SBCSA, as we prepare for the holiday season with our own Scandinavian Christmas reading list? It's hard to think of a better time of year to snuggle up and get cozy with a good book.We wish you many hours of happy reading and a very merry Christmas — god jul!

All of the titles below are available from Amazon.com or other major booksellers—but don't wait too long: You'll want to make sure that you have time to put in your orders, for these books are so special that many will sell out before Christmas.

	Keeping Christmas: Yuletide Traditions in Norway and the New Land by Kathleen Stokker (2001), in print for nearly a quarter of a century now, is a must-read for Norwegian Americans. Discover how Norwegian traditions came to North America and evolved and changed over time, while the old traditions were changing in Norway. In addition to a captivating narrative, there are photographs and recipes to enjoy. If ever there were a manual on how to celebrate a genuine Norwegian-Ameican Christmas, this is it, a truly informative and fascinating Christmas read.
	Scandikitchen Christmas: Recipes and Traditions from Scandinavia by Brontë Aurell (2018) brings to you a plethora of Nordic specialties that you can share with your family and guests at Christmastime. Fill your home with holiday hygge with recipes from the Nordic countries that are easy to understand and easy to make. From cakes and cookies to a full-blown holiday smorgasbord, there is truly something for everyone. Even if you're not a cook or a baker, the beautiful photography by Peter Cassidy make this book a perfect pick for anyone to enjoy during the holiday season.
	Modern Gingerbread by Sandra Monger (2020) takes you into the magical world of gingerbread, with some new twists on beloved baking traditions. For many, gingerbread is the taste of Christmas, especially in our sister city Bergen, which is home to the biggest gingerbread town in the entire world each holiday season. The recipes and projects in this book are creative and fun, with clear instructions for good outcomes. The star of the show is the gorgeous and delicious gingerbread kransekake. This book is a must-have for those of you who love gingerbread.
	Frozen: The Official Cookbook: A Culinary Journey through Arendelle by Daytona Danielsen ( 2024 ) is already a classic. Full of tried-and-true recipes from a beloved Seattle cookbook author and authority on Norwegian cuisine, it is filled with favorites that the entire family can enjoy. With the recipes set against the backdrop of Disney's Frozen, it is sure to get your children and grandchildren interested in their heritage and good Norwegian food. And even if you are not heading into the kitchen to cook right away, the book is a fun read on a winter's day.
	A Very Scandinavian Christmas: The Greatest Nordic Holiday Stories of All Time by Hans Christian Andersen, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Selma Lagerlöf, et. al. (2019) is the fourth book in the popular Very Christmas series and a Scandinavian-American Christmas treasure. A smorgasbord of literary gifts, these beautifully crafted tales convey a specifically Nordic yuletide spirit. Laden with lingonberries, elks, gnomes, trolls, candles, gingerbread, and aquavit, they are sure to put you in a festive holiday mood and sweep you away into a world of coziness and contentment. Read them for yourself or read them aloud to share their magic with others for a joyful Christmas.
	Christmas in Norway: Bilingual Norwegian-English Christmas Stories for Children by Pomme Bilingual (2025 ) is a new collection of five short stories to bring beloved Norwegian holiday traditions to life for you and your family.. From the Julenisse to Sankta Lucia, from a gingerbread town to the Christmas goat in a snowstorm, it takes you into the wonderland that is Christmas in Norway. It is wonderful way to help your children expand their world and learn new words and concepts. This book is ideal for anyone who is learning Norwegian, young and old alike. And even if you don't understand Norwegian at all, it is a fun read during the holidays, a perfect stocking stuffer for any Norwegian-American home.
	Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve? by Jan Brett (2022) is an original Christmas story set in Norway with northern lights setting the skies. You will get to know Kyri, a Norwegian girl whose Christmas feast is saved from the trolls by a boy and his pet ice bear. It is a heartwarming tale inspired by Norwegian folklore and filled with pictures full of folk art colors and motifs. This beautifully illustrated picturebook is so delightful that everyone, young and old alike, will enjoy perusing its pages it time and again.
	The Night Rudolph Lost His Bell by John G. Brock- Utne (2023) is a children's book written straight from the heat. Brock-Utne, a well-known anesthesiologist and professor at Stanford University, is also a historian, freelance author across multiple genres, a proud Norwegian American, and a proud grandfather. His little book is the story of four children who find Rudolph's lost bell and, ultimately, help save Christmas. Beautifully illustrated by Sunniva Bratt, this heartwarming story is also available in a companion Norwegian version, perfect for nostalgic immigrants or anyone learning the language.
	Anna and the Woven Hearts by Wendy Jensen (2023) brings you the story of woven hearts, one of the most enduring traditions in the Scandinavian countries. A symbol of warmth and love, woven hearts are especially important at Christmastime. As Anna uncovers their magic, your children can explore their heritage, creating a deeper connection to their roots. The delightful illustrations and touching narrative may also inspire you to make your own woven hearts, using the templates and instructions provided. What a wonderful way to decorate your home or send a someone a gift of love this Christmas or any time of the year!