It's Season's Readings with Sonja Anderson!

Hello readers, writers, and Dala Horse lovers of every kind! We have an especially heartwarming treat for you today. The lovely Sonja Anderson is here sharing her new book, A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse: A Saint Lucia Celebration - a perfect read to brighten the holiday season.

Sonja’s story beautifully embraces the spirit of Yuletide in a charming Swedish Christmas tale about a little Dala horse searching for the true meaning of the season. With storytelling reminiscent of The Velveteen Rabbit, Anderson and Potocka gently guide readers through a journey filled with wonder, tradition, and holiday magic.

Want to know more about Sonja and her enchanting book PLUS want to hear her recipe for a cookie guaranteed to spread a little extra holiday joy this season? Read on…🍪🥛

Q: Hi, Sonja. Thanks for joining #SeasonsOfKidLit for our Season’s Readings Event! We’re thrilled to have you and hear all about your festive book. Can you share more about your book and the inspiration behind it?

A: Maybe this book was inevitable, because inspiration came from all directions! The initial inspiration came from my work in an elementary school library. I was checking in a pile of runaway gingerbread-type books, noticed titles like Ninjabread Man, Runaway Matzoh Ball Boy, and Runaway Tortilla, and thought that the world needed a Scandinavian version as well. As the story developed, it became inspired by my mom’s love for Santa Lucia and all things Swedish, my dad’s love for woodcarving, the church where our daughters participated in Santa Lucia every year, and all of the Dala horses in my house!

Q: As a Swede myself (on my mother’s side), I know that this story effectively weaves the Legend of the Dala Horse, the Legend of Santa Lucia and your own personal experience together for a wonderful tale. How long did it take you to come up with the final draft, how many revisions, and what was your writing / researching process like? 

A: It took about six months of sending the story back and forth to my agent and critique group before we had a final draft. I read a lot of folktales like the ones listed above, and everything I could find about the history of the Dala horse and Santa Lucia. A major revision came early on at the suggestion of my agent, Adria Goetz (who turned out to be Swedish-American, too!). She noticed that the initial draft pulled in two different directions; a rather madcap one similar to the classic Gingerbread Man folktale, and a quieter, more heartfelt style that focused on the Santa Lucia pageant. She suggested that we lean into the quieter version. I wasn’t sure about this, because writers are always told that “quiet stories” don’t sell well, but I ended up loving the new version. She made one other suggestion that was also a major shift: she asked me to turn the woodcarver into a widow. Perhaps because a widow would relate more to the grandmothers buying the book–I’m not sure! Since the character was honoring my dad, I didn’t want to do it, but the result is even more poignant for me.

My dad was in hospice care the day that Tyndale countersigned the contract. His last clear words to me were, “That’s so wonderful!” He passed away the next day. Now, when I read my own book about the Widow Woodcarver remembering her husband through her work, I feel like I’m remembering and honoring my dad, too. Tyndale even surprised me by placing a lit blue candelabra near my dad’s name in the dedication, to honor his memory further.

What a heartwarming and touching story. Thank you so much for sharing this tribute and memory of your dad with us. We’re sure he’s smiling down from above holding a copy of your book!

Q: Are there any other details that you fiddled with to make this sweet story? 

A: I enjoyed writing the shy Greta character! My daughter was a “pepparkakor girl” for many years at our church’s Lucia pageant. She wasn’t nervous to dance in front of the crowds, but she was afraid she would never outgrow the costume! As a result, she helped many shy or nervous children participate in the program, and I always think of her when I read or write about Greta.

I was also so happy when Tyndale liked my suggestion to hide small Swedish gnomes throughout the story. A Swedish gnome, or tomte, is said to help take care of the farm or shop in exchange for rice pudding on Christmas Eve. I didn’t include any text about them in the story, but I think that even the smallest children will enjoy hunting for them on many of the pages! They’re adorable!

Q: What's your favorite spread from the story and why?

A: While all of the art in this book is so beautifully done by the illustrator, Agnieszka Potocka, my favorite spread is the one where the whole village follows the Lucia procession into the church. It’s such a serene, snowy image of unity and peace.

Q: BONUS: What are your favorite ways to celebrate the season like a Swede? I.e. watching movies, decorating trees, baking? And if baking or eating baked goods, please share a link to a favorite Swedish recipe. 

A: I usually have two trees–a larger one in the living room, and a smaller one in the kitchen. The smaller one is fun to decorate with all of my Swedish straw ornaments, heart baskets (red and white paper woven together to form a heart that opens), and a tomte or two! Baking is also very important. It doesn’t feel like Christmas without pepparkakor, which is a very thin and crispy ginger cookie. We make ours with orange juice!

Q: Would you like to leave a tip or a treat for our readers?

A: A treat - I'd love to leave one of my favorite cookie recipes below:

Pepparkakor Cookie Recipe

1 cup butter

1 ½ cup sugar

1 T Karo syrup

2 t. Baking soda

1 egg

3 ¼ c. flour

1 T. cinnamon

1 T. ginger

1 T. cloves

Juice and grated rind of one orange

Directions:

Sift flour with baking soda and spices. Cream butter with sugar. Add syrup and egg. Add dry ingredients. Mix until blending. Chill before rolling out, and keep dough that isn’t being used in the refrigerator. Turn on to a lightly floured board and roll out to about ⅛ inch thickness. The thinner, the better! Cut into shapes. Bake at 400 degrees until brown. Watch closely.

YUM! Thanks so much for sharing. And thanks again for joining us - it was such a treat having you with us today and hearing all about your book.

Readers, please leave a comment below to thank Sonja for stopping by.

Note: Heather and Lynne Marie are also giving away three holiday gifts! Those who comment on and share each post on social media will be eligible to win their choice of one of three Rate Your Story Speed Passes or one of three ten-minute AMA sessions with Editor Lynne Marie. Winners will be drawn and announced on or about 12/17.

About Sonja Anderon:

Sonja Anderson is a Swedish American elementary school librarian with an EdM from Harvard University. She and her Norwegian American husband, Jeff, live in Seattle, Washington, where their two daughters grew up participating in their church’s annual Santa Lucia pageant. Dala horses, straw ornaments, pepparkakor cookies, and Swedish candelabras make their holidays festive and bright. She is delighted that her first picture book celebrates her favorite Swedish traditions.

For more about Sonja, check out the below links:

X: SonjaMarie9

Instagram: @authorsonjaanderson

Facebook: Sonja.anderson.33

Amazon for book purchases and Reviews: Amazon.com: A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse: A Saint Lucia Celebration

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