The Reindeer Wish
Lori Evert, Author
Per Breiehagen, Illustrator
Random House for Kids, Fiction, Oct. 6, 2015
Pages: 48
Suitable for Ages: 3-8
Themes: Christmas, Wishes, Reindeer, Arctic region, Nature, Adventure, Friendship
Opening: Long, long ago, far to the north and high in the snowy mountains, where you could ski for days and never see another soul, lived a kind little girl named Anja.
Synopsis: Anja wants a puppy for Christmas. School is out for the holidays and she is lonely. She writes a letter to Santa and places it in the postbox. After spending Christmas Eve skiing down her favorite snowy hill, Anja finds a wild baby reindeer abandoned under a tree. Her parents let her care for the little reindeer in the hay shed. Anja is thrilled with her gift and names the reindeer Odin.
Odin gets stronger daily. By spring, Odin’s antlers begin to grow. Anja and Odin become best friends and spend the summer exploring the budding countryside, the cascading waterfalls, and the mountains.
Photograph courtesy of Per Breiehagen
As winter returns early to the arctic, Anja teaches Odin to pull a sleigh. She begins with her little sled packed with heavy sacks. By Christmas, Anja decides Odin is ready to pull her father’s sleigh. They borrow the sleigh and search for the perfect Christmas tree to decorate for Santa. On another journey with Odin, Anja sees a herd of reindeer along a ridge. She wonders if Oden would be happier living with other reindeer. How could she give up her best friend? She knows she must make a decision.
Photograph courtesy of Per Breiehagen
Why I like The Reindeer Wish:
- Lori Evert and her husband, Per Breiehagen, have teamed up to create their second enchanting and richly textured Nordic Christmas tale featuring their rosy-cheeked daughter, Anja. The Reindeer Wish is a magical tale of friendship, bravery and believing. It will give children something to wonder about.
- The setting is realistic and contributes to the fairy tale charm. Anja is bundled up in authentic 18th century Norwegian clothing, reindeer boots, and slender wooden skis with straps. Her rustic log house has an earthen roof. The text is friendly and imparts information about nature and survival in the arctic.
- I have shared some of the story, but I have not given away the unexpected ending that will delight both children and adults.
- Award-winning photographer Per Breiehagen captures this beautiful story with his extraordinary photographs of breathtaking landscapes and playful scenes of Anja interacting with animals and nature. Readers will journey through the seasons in this story and experience the beautiful Northern Lights. Exquisite!
- This is a beautiful collaborative effort by this husband and wife team, and their daughter Anja. Fans of The Christmas Wish and The Tiny Wish will want to add this heartwarming treasure to their collection. It will open their hearts to the magic and wonder of Christmas.
Resources: Visit the Random House for Kids for more information about the book. Click on the activity page and download The Reindeer Wish ornaments, a Santa wish list, a reindeer adventure page and coloring pages. Kids can also view a video and send a free Christmas e-card of their favorite photograph to friends. Make sure you also visit The Christmas Wish website to see enlarged pictures of all three books.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
Such beautiful photographs. Love being an armchair traveler – much warmer than being in the Arctic Circle!
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The photography is absolutely gorgeous. The series is such a treasure. Per Breiehagen grew up in Norway and does photographic work for National Geographic, Audubon and the NY Times Magazine.
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The all series of books is both original and enchanting! Thank you Patricia for sharing!
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Lori Evert and Per Breiehagen have created an original and timeless series of enchanting books. Glad you enjoyed the review.
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I love the books by Lori Evert and Per Breiehagen. This one looks just as enchanting.
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I’m so pleased you enjoy their books. They are magical stories and photographs. Christmas treasures.
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Sounds like a sweet story for the holidays w/a good lesson about getting what you want vs. what you end up getting. Great review, Pat!
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Yes, it is a good lesson. Anja wants a puppy but never dreams she’ll find a baby reindeer. There is so much to this Christmas story that I didn’t share.
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Patricia, this was a marvelous review! And I love–absolutely love–the picture of Anja decorating the antlers of her beloved deer. How marvelous to wish for one thing and get something different and apparently more amazing. This book is on my shopping list.
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Leslie, I’m pleased you liked the review. This book certainly is a treasure. And, I love all of the activities for kids at Random House Kids. They can send a free e-card of their favorite picture to a friend.
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Delightful!
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Glad you enjoyed the book. How about drawing a reindeer?? 🙂
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Patricia love these books. Just sent the Christmas Wish to my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter. She is enchanted with the pictures!
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I am delighted that you love the books as much I do! And, I’m sure your granddaughter will love The Christmas Wish. Nice to see your smiling face. We haven’t been in touch for a while.
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This looks positively FESTIVE and so SO enchanting. What a fun, thoughtful pick for our last PPBF of 2015. Thank you, Pat! Happy holidays to you and yours.
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Thank you Barbara. I’m delighted you like this enchanting book. I was very excited about sharing it with everyone! Merry Christmas!
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Your review has me wanting my own baby reindeer, and yet knowing that the reindeer wouldn’t share my enthusiasm. Perhaps this book will be on my Christmas list!
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I know, I would love a baby reindeer. You should see the photograph of Anja cuddling the baby in her arms. So precious. But, they do grow up!!! Actually, I was reading an article about reindeers and they are very friendly.
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What gorgeous photos and such an interesting setting. I’m looking forward to having a look at this one!
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You would certainly appreciate the photography. I hope you check out The Reindeer Wish.
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I have the first book and I just love it! So glad to hear there’s another one.
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I hope you check out The Reindeer Wish. You will love the story and photography as much as the first.
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WoW! I love this for so many reasons, including the beautiful photography and the atmosphere.
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The author is also a set designer and the husband shoots photographs for Audubon, National Geographic and the NY Times. A winning duo for producing such breathtaking books with a lovely story. Per grew up in Norway.
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Wow! That’s a great background.
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Wow, yes, such an authentic feel given by the creative photography. This reminds me of one of my stories!
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Wouldn’t you love to have one of your stories photographed like this. The books are a very creative effort!
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Thank you SO much for this beautiful, thoughtful review, Patricia. I am so excited to share it and also so appreciate the many kind comments here. Thank you all!
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Lori, Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. Your beautiful book has been loved by many. I hope you, Per and Anja enjoy all of your book signings! Merry Christmas, Patricia
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Sounds like a wonderful story! So happy you shared it.
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It is a magical story with beautiful photographs!
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Wow, I can’t get over these photographs! They’re stunning! The story looks super fun, too. A definite must. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for visiting. Yes, The Reindeer Wish and The Christmas Wish are two magical and beautiful books.
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I have been completely charmed by The Christmas Wish, and the info on the other books, which I will pursue and buy for my grandchildren. My 6 year old granddaughter is completely enthralled by Anja’s red hat. I have done hours of research for Scandinavian (Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish) children’s ski hats and have not come up with a source. Would it be too much to ask Lori Evert for a source? Many thanks.
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Forwarded your request to Lori Evert and she has sent you a message. The hats are adorable.
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