Lucia Morning in Sweden [Paperback] Ewa Rydaker and Carina Stahlberg

In the busy house of the Svennson family, everyone is getting ready for the Swedish holiday of Lucia Day, December 13.

The book tells the story of Santa Lucia through the eyes of three children in modern-day Sweden. It describes their giddy activities, brought to life in colorful, full-page illustrations, and also provides sheet music, recipes, and sewing patterns for the costumes traditionally worn by children on this day, when many Swedish people celebrate the legacy of Lucia and the coming of the light with coffee, saffron buns, ginger snaps, and wonderful singing. One of the most beloved and celebrated traditions of the Swedish people, Lucia Day also signifies that the Christmas holiday is getting close.

Although the book is aimed at the 5- to 10-year-old age group, many parents and grandparents may enjoy reading it to younger children.

Ewa Rydaker was born in Uppsala, Sweden. She and her husband have lived in Minnesota for 28 years. Ewa is very active within the American Swedish community. A Swedish Midsummer Tale, about a popular Swedish tradition, is another book by Ewa and the illustrator Carina Stahlberg.