Download or read book The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories written by Jessica Harrison and published by Penguin UK. This book was released on 2019-10-03 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The perfect gift this Christmas season: a generous selection of some of the greatest festive stories of all time This is a collection of the most magical, moving, chilling and surprising Christmas stories from around the world, taking us from frozen Nordic woods to glittering Paris, a New York speakeasy to an English country house, bustling Lagos to midnight mass in Rio, and even outer space. Here are classic tales from writers including Truman Capote, Shirley Jackson, Dylan Thomas, Saki and Chekhov, as well as little-known treasures such as Italo Calvino's wry sideways look at Christmas consumerism, Wolfdietrich Schnurre's story of festive ingenuity in Berlin, Selma Lagerlof's enchanted forest in Sweden, and Irène Nemerovsky's dark family portrait. Featuring santas, ghosts, trolls, unexpected guests, curmudgeons and miracles, here is Christmas as imagined by some of the greatest short story writers of all time.

Download or read book Christmas at Frozen Falls written by Kiley Dunbar and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2024-10-08 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This story of adventure and romance is the perfect cozy Christmas read to curl up with this winter. Sylvie Magnusson is going to be lonely this Christmas. Instead of jetting off with fiancé Cole for their honeymoon in paradise, she’s freezing at home while trying to ignore everyone’s pity for "that poor jilted Ms Magnusson." Guess that’s what happens when your fiancé calls off the wedding with one week to go. Enter Nari, Sylvie’s best friend, who plans a trip to Lapland to see the Northern Lights and get Sylvie’s mojo back. But as their Lapland getaway approaches, Sylvie realizes she’ll be holidaying in the hometown of Stellan Virtanen, her dreamy Finnish ex-boyfriend, the one that got away (or...ran away, and Sylvie never understood why). When Stellan and Sylvie are reunited in the town of Frozen Falls, she’s delighted to see that he’s just as hot as she remembers–and when he shows her the romantic delights of Lapland, he becomes the perfect medicine for her broken heart. But as she prepares to fly back to England, can she really leave Stellan behind? Or will she find that her heart belongs in the frozen North?

Download or read book The Tomtes Christmas Porridge written by Sven Nordqvist and published by . This book was released on 2023-09-05 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.

Download or read book Finnish Mythology Tree Stories written by Niina Niskanen and published by Niina Niskanen. This book was released on 2023-09-27 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A long time ago Finns, Finno-Ugric tribes and Baltic tribes practised animistic nature-based belief, where everything in nature had its own place and spirit. Trees were widely worshipped. Some trees, holier than others were called spirit trees. In this book, you will learn about ancient tree worship and mythologies and stories told about different tree species and gods, goddesses and magical creatures related to them. How these trees were used in folk magic and how people saw them. Sacred groves were very common. These special places were thought to harbour gods and goddesses, so they were also worshipped and given sacrificial gifts of food, drink and treasures. Altars were built in these groves for the purpose of worship. An altar was usually a large stone or a wooden table holding a statue or an image of a particular deity. Sacred groves were communally owned by an entire village and were generally located in the woods near the village. People could visit a grove alone or in groups to show reverence to the gods. It was believed that trees understood humans, especially women. People told their troubles to trees and felt certain that the trees kept their secrets. In the old days, people relied more on the forest than they do today. The entire forest ecosystem offered almost all of the materials needed for life: shelter and abundant food like berries, plants, mushrooms and animals.Learn about the Christmas tree tradition and how it arrived in Finland and the tree emuu's, these were spirits that created the different tree species. Niina Pekantytär aka Fairychamber is known for her passion and knowledge of Finnish mythology and folklore. Born in northern Finland, Niina grew up listening to these stories from a very young age.

Download or read book Twelve Gifts for Santa Claus written by Mauri Kunnas and published by Knopf Books for Young Readers. This book was released on 1988 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A young elf decides to give Santa one present for each of the twelve days preceding Christmas.

Download or read book Louhi Witch of North Farm written by and published by Puffin. This book was released on 1988 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Louhi's plan to steal the sun and the moon backfires when the gods learn of her mischievous scheme.

Download or read book The Finnish Way written by Katja Pantzar and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2018-06-26 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An engaging and practical guided tour of the simple and nature-inspired ways that Finns stay happy and healthy--including the powerful concept of sisu, or everyday courage Forget hygge--it's time to blow out the candles and get out into the world! Journalist Katja Pantzar did just that, taking the huge leap to move to the remote Nordic country of Finland. What she discovered there transformed her body, mind and spirit. In this engaging and practical guide, she shows readers how to embrace the "keep it simple and sensible" daily practices that make Finns one of the happiest populations in the world, year after year. Topics include: Movement as medicine: How walking, biking and swimming every day are good for what ails us--and best done outside the confines of a gym Natural mood boosters: Cold water swimming, steamy saunas, and other ways to alleviate stress, anxiety, insomnia, and depression Forest therapy: Why there's no substitute for getting out into nature on a regular basis Healthy eating: What the Nordic diet can teach us all about feeding body, mind and soul The gift of sisu: Why Finns embrace a special form of courage, grit and determination as a national virtue - and how anyone can dig deeper to survive and thrive through tough times. If you've ever wondered if there's a better, simpler way to find happiness and good heath, look no further. The Finns have a word for that, and this empowering book shows us how to achieve it.

Download or read book Santa s Secret written by Serenity Woods and published by Lyrical Press. This book was released on 2014-12-01 with total page 169 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Will the magic still be there when they wake on Christmas morning? Having long since lost his Christmas spirit, Rudi comes to Santa's Secret Village looking to sell the resort. His seven-year-old daughter already knows the truth about Santa, and neither of them is particularly in the mood for the festive season. Practically a recluse since the death of her husband, Eva's not looking for romance. Her trip to Santa's Village is for the sole purpose of making Christmas more festive this year for her young son. But Eva brings an unexpected sparkle to Rudi and Isabel's lives that renews their belief in the spirit of Christmas. As the weather grows colder, things heat up between Rudi and Eva. But will the magic still be there when they wake on Christmas morning? 48,102 Words

Download or read book Sisu written by Joanna Nylund and published by Gaia. This book was released on 2018-02-08 with total page 233 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover the Finnish quality of sisu and how cultivating it can help you lead a life of greater purpose and happiness. This ancient Finnish word describes an attitude of courage, resilience, grit, tenacity and perseverance. This key psychological competence enables extraordinary action in times of adversity. To have sisu confers a further dimension of doing so with honesty, integrity and humility. By cultivating sisu you can: Face life's challenges with courage and determination Enhance your wellbeing and find your focus Communicate confidently and resolve conflicts effectively Cultivate endurance and achieve your fitness goals Raise kind and resilient children Act with integrity and fight for what you believe in Sisu is a universal trait. It may have been bottled and labelled by the Finns, but it is within reach of everyone. It lies within you, and you are very likely to have used it already.

Download or read book The Christmas Story written by Ian Beck and published by Random House. This book was released on 2005 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Tells the story of Jesus' birth.

Download or read book Christmas with Elvis written by Robert K. Elder and published by Running Press Adult. This book was released on 2021-10-05 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Celebrate Christmas with the King of Rock n' Roll! For Elvis, Christmas at Graceland was a time for family and friends, a respite from the road and the recording studio. It was a time to sing gospel songs around the piano and give out extravagant gifts. In this spirit, Christmas with Elvis is designed like a Christmas party Elvis himself would have liked. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic music and songs Elvis sang and recorded for his bestselling holiday albums, alongside favorite stories, trivia, and Yuletide cocktails and munchies—all wrapped up with a merry Christmas twist fit for the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. ELVIS™ and ELVIS PRESLEY™ are trademarks of ABG EPE IP LLC Rights of Publicity and Persona Rights: Elvis Presley Enterprises, LLC © 2021 ABG EPE IP LLC elvis.com

Download or read book The Little Match Girl Other Christmas Stories by Hans Christian Andersen written by Hans Christian Andersen and published by Good Press. This book was released on 2023-12-11 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 'The Little Match Girl & Other Christmas Stories' by Hans Christian Andersen, readers are transported to a magical world filled with wonder and heartache. Through his poignant storytelling and vivid imagery, Anderson sheds light on the harsh realities of life while maintaining a sense of hope and compassion. The collection of Christmas stories explores themes of poverty, loss, and the power of imagination in the face of despair, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers of all ages. Andersen's simple yet profound writing style captivates the reader from start to finish, creating a literary experience that is both thought-provoking and emotionally stirring. Through his evocative prose, Andersen masterfully weaves together the complexities of human emotion, shining a light on the beauty and tragedy of the human experience. 'The Little Match Girl & Other Christmas Stories' is a testament to Andersen's enduring legacy as a master storyteller, whose work transcends time and continues to inspire generations of readers around the world.

Download or read book The Gansey Knitting Sourcebook written by Di Gilpin and published by David and Charles. This book was released on 2021-09-14 with total page 333 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ganseys are hardwearing sweaters traditionally knitted for fishermen in and around the British Isles. Today, the styling and history of ganseys is as popular as ever and this collection of stitch patterns and projects brings the history of ganseys to a new audience. Learn all about the techniques used for knitting ganseys with this comprehensive sourcebook from experts in the subject, Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell. Di and Sheila are knitwear designers and makers based in Scotland where they teach regular workshops on traditional gansey techniques. Discover all the techniques you need to make an authentic gansey sweater with their special features which were developed for warmth and comfort in what were often, harsh conditions out at sea. Ganseys were designed with a special under arm gusset and a shoulder seam which prevented chaffing and improved movement for the wearer even when the jumper got wet and heavy. The authors explain these techniques with step-by-step instructions and artworks so you can replicate these details in your own work. Another key element to the gansey is the stitch pattern which was specific to the local area and often had a symbolism beyond the pattern itself and, some hoped, would act as a charm to keep the fishermen safe while they were out at sea. This collection features a comprehensive directory of 150 gansey stitch patterns so you can choose your favourite designs and motifs and learn which patterns were important to the fishermen in different areas. There are also 10 patterns for garments and accessories so you can practise your skills. The projects include a child's traditional gansey sweater so you can try out your skills on a traditional sweater but on a small scale. There are also some contemporary takes on the traditional gansey using lighter weight yarn and design details: these include a beautiful sweater with a gansey yoke; a contemporary take on the fisherman's kep; a gansey stitch cowl; a pair of mittens and socks; and light linen tank top. The smaller projects such as the mittens and hats are great for practising your skills before you attempt one of the larger projects.

Download or read book The Greatest Christmas Stories Poems Illustrated Edition written by Louisa May Alcott and published by e-artnow. This book was released on 2017-10-16 with total page 2602 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This carefully edited collection has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Contents: Christmas Tales A Merry Christmas & Other Christmas Stories (Louisa May Alcott) The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry) The First Christmas of New England (Harriet Beecher Stowe) The Holy Night (Selma Lagerlöf) Little Gretchen and the Wooden Shoe (Elizabeth Harrison) A Letter from Santa Claus (Mark Twain) A Kidnapped Santa Claus (L. Frank Baum) The Christmas Angel (Abbie Farwell Brown) Toinette and the Elves (Susan Coolidge) Christmas at Thompson Hall (Anthony Trollope) The Mistletoe Bough (Anthony Trollope) The Fir Tree (Hans Christian Andersen) The Little Match Girl (Hans Christian Andersen) The Steadfast Tin Soldier (Hans Christian Andersen) The Snow Queen (Hans Christian Andersen) A Little Book of Christmas (John Kendrick Bangs) Christmas Every Day (William Dean Howells) Jimmy Scarecrow's Christmas (Mary E. Wilkins Freeman) Little Girl's Christmas (Winnifred E. Lincoln) The Elves and the Shoemaker (Brothers Grimm) Where Love Is, God Is (Leo Tolstoy)… The Heavenly Christmas Tree (Fyodor Dostoevsky) A Visit From Saint Nicholas (Clement Moore) Happy Hearts (June Isle) The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe (Amanda M. Douglas) The Chimes (Charles Dickens) Doctor Marigold's Prescriptions (Charles Dickens)…. Poems & Carols Silent Night King Winter The Night After Christmas The Three Kings (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) Christmas Bells (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) Christmas At Sea (Robert Louis Stevenson) The Twelve Days of Christmas Minstrels (William Wordsworth) Ring Out, Wild Bells (Alfred Lord Tennyson) Christmas In India (Rudyard Kipling) The Magi (William Butler Yeats) The Mahogany Tree (William Makepeace Thackeray) Hymn On The Morning Of Christ's Nativity (John Milton) A Christmas Carol (Samuel Taylor Coleridge) The Oxen (Thomas Hardy) The Savior Must Have Been A Docile Gentleman …

Download or read book Little Tomte s Christmas Wish written by Inkeri Karvonen and published by . This book was released on 2023-09-05 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A heart-warming festive tale about a little tomte (Scandinavian gnome) created by an acclaimed Finnish author and illustrator team. Little Tomte makes a special wish that Christmas will come. He sings carols, tries to bake tasty treats, and builds a snow tomte, but nothing makes it feel like Christmas. Can Little Tomte find a way to share his Christmas spirit? This is a beautiful new edition of a charming festive tale about hope, community, and friendship.

Download or read book The Enchanted Wood and Other Tales from Finland written by Norma J. Livo and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 1999-04-15 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Some of the world's oldest and richest folk traditions come from a country that most Americans know very little about-Finland (or Suomi). The fifth largest country in Europe (in land size), Finland is home to the third true folk epic, The Kalevala (The Land of Heroes). It is a country of lush forests and sparkling clear lakes where, in the northern regions, reindeer still roam. This collection introduces readers to the fascinating culture, history, geology, and folk literature of Finland. After a historical and cultural overview, the authors present 20 representative stories-including ancient tales from The Kalevala, humorous and moral tales (e.g., The Selfish Housewife and The Magic Wish)-and a fictionalized account of a witch trial in the 1600s. Holiday traditions, proverbs and sayings, and traditional recipes embellish this collection and will tantalize and intrigue readers. Color plates illustrate the land, the people, and artistic traditions of this wondrous people.

Download or read book Finnish Short Stories written by and published by St. Paul, Minn. : Nordic Translators. This book was released on 1982 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: