Aurora of the Northern Lights [Paperback]

Holly Hardin (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

A Christmas Rhyme Filled with Magic—and St. Nick, Too!

“Aurora of the Northern Lights could become for a new generation what The Night Before Christmas has been before it: a seasonal classic.” - Greg Elliot, author



Named for the Northern Lights, Aurora faces a woeful plight. To many lands she must roam, searching for her true home.



Come along as author Holly Hardin conjures a mystical world of adventure, sprites, and magical charms. After losing her parents, little Aurora sets off on her own. Because she’s different, Aurora finds it difficult to find anyone who will listen to her story, even at Christmas time. As her story continues, Aurora receives special gifts to keep her safe and important clues to find her new home.



Follow the journey as Aurora encounters a host of creatures along the way—including one very famous bearded man. What follows in this beautifully illustrated and delightfully written book is a heartwarming story of a home lost and found—and a Christmas lesson for us all.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press; 1st edition (August 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1432724398
• ISBN-13: 978-1432724399
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,098,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Holly Hardin has a degree in English literature and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She is the author several published articles for both children and adults. Hardin lives in the north Georgia Mountains with her husband, Jeff, and their four spoiled dogs. Her next book, "Wendy Wrydwitch and the Sunflower Pumpkin", is due out in early 2010.

Holly recently debuted her new book "Aurora of the Northern Lights", at the Decatur Book Festival September in Decatur Gerogia.

You can learn more about Holly at hollyhardin.net.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review, November 19, 2009

By 

Virginia S. Grenier "Children's Author & Stor... (Ivins, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aurora of the Northern Lights (Paperback)

Reviewed by: Wayne Walker

Do you know what the word "aurora" means? In ancient Roman mythology, Aurora was the goddess of the dawn. Because dawn brings the light of a new day, the luminous bands of light that form in the night sky near the north and south poles are called "aurora." The aurora australis lights the Southern Hemisphere, and the aurora borealis lights the northern skies. Author Holly Hardin tells the story of an elfin maid named Mistletoe who lived in the cold, crisp land of the Northern Fey but fell in love with a young man named William and, after becoming his wife on a Solstice night, left with him for a warmer climate because of his health. They had a daughter whom they named after the Northern Lights.

Unfortunately, seven years later, both parents became ill and died. When Aurora fled to the town, the townspeople did not want her because she was different. Then she roamed to the Woodland Fey, but the sprites of the forest did not want her either because she was not their kin. So she kept journeying northward until she came to a great castle in a place that was cold and crisp. What famous person do you suppose lived in the castle, and what surprise did this individual have for Aurora? The colorful muted illustrations by Donald Vanderbeek join with Hardin's poetic text to create what has the potential to become a wonderful new seasonal classic that children and adults will surely enjoy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Has extended appeal to elementary age children (8-13), October 19, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aurora of the Northern Lights (Paperback)

"Aurora of the Northern Lights" is a Christmas tale of an orphan girl born of a mixed marriage of human father, William, and a Northern Fey mother, Mistletoe. Though Aurora is rejected by the townsfolk after her parents die of illness, a witch gives her a beautiful crystal charm to protect her, and tells her to seek her home and destiny in the forest. In the forest Aurora meets the Woodland Fey, who also reject her as not like them, but their queen directs Aurora to the far north and gives her a warm woolen cloak and an oaken staff. Aurora trudges northward into the frozen cold white and she finds a miraculous castle. Inside she is welcomed by Santa Claus to the Great Elf Hall, where she finds a woman with dazzling white hair who remembers her mother, Mistletoe. The great white elf lady is Aurora's grandmother, and she welcomes Aurora to a whole new world and a new life. The touching story of Aurora is told in extended verse, and the lush, contrasting dark and light paintings illustrate the story perfectly. Themes of prejudice, intolerance of difference, and courage and strength in adversity are explored. A paperback also available in ebook form, "Aurora of the Northern Lights" has extended appeal to elementary age children (8-13).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A New & Refreshing Children's Fairy Tale For Christmastide, August 24, 2009

By 

Sheila Chilcote-Collins "Sheila Renee Chilcot... (Collinswood, Van Wert, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aurora of the Northern Lights (Paperback)

Aurora Of The Northern Lights is a new and refreshing children's fairy tale for the Christmas season. Full of elves, fairies, sprites and even Santa Claus himself, this book is written in rhyme verse and reads well silently or aloud to your children. Aurora is a seven year old elfin girl who has lost her parents and her way in the world. As she searches, she finally finds out what it means to be accepted for who you are and how important family is. All in all, a very well written, fairy tale like story with great colorful illustrations by Donald Vanderbeek. Any child would love this book in his or her stocking this Christmastide.

Happy Reading!