Customer Reviews

Aurora of the Northern Lights

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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.

"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).

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!

Wow. All I can say is Wow. This is such a great childrens story. I honestly as a 23 year old adult, cannot wait to read it again. The story itself is beautiful with wonderful flowing rhymes and a great lesson for old and young. I cannot wait to share it with my nieces and nephews. I think this really could be the next The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. I wish it had been written when I was younger because I know it would have been my favorite story.

The illustrations are also beautiful, Donald Vanderbeek is wonderful and the they match the story amazingly.

I think this will be a classic quickly and really recommend it for young and old.

Adults will appreciate the lush, magical quality of the artwork and the underlying message of tolerance. Children will love the vivid illustrations and the lyrical rhyming text. It's a simple fact that children love rhyme. And research shows that rhyming stories encourage reading and language development. That said, it can be difficult to find original, high-quality rhyming picture books. The rhythm and repetition in this story bounces off the tongue, moving the story along beautifully. As a previous reviewer mentioned, this is not simply another Christmas story. It is a story that can be read in any season.

AURORA OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS is being marketed as Christmas tale for readers age 9 - 12, and it indeed does include a vision of the North Pole (in a much more artistic manner than the usual land of Christmas) and a visit TO St Nick. But Holly Hardin has written an extended poem that is both charming, well illustrated, and interesting as a story while going beyond those parameters to discuss love, marriage, childbirth, death, and the 'curse' of being 'different'. And because of all of these reasons the book should have a long life on the shelves of families who care about sharing more aspects of life than a holiday.

Aurora is a different little girl, born to Mistletoe and William (a girl from the North and a lad from the South), who lives on a little town inhabited by folk who see her as 'different' once her parents have died. She sets out on a journey, with the blessing and a crystal bangle from a strange old woman, traipses through forests and odd places until she lands in the place of her mother's origin. Finally finding a home she is befriended by none other then Santa Claus and his variety of 'different' elves, AND she meets her grandmother - the bridge to her past and to her sense of belonging.

The book is well illustrated by Donald Vanderbeek who understands how to mix mystery with beauty. Holly Hardin may not win prizes for her poetic prowess, but she will definitely win friends in those who reader her well crafted, thoughtful tale.
Grady Harp, August 09

Aurora of the Northern Lights is not entirely about Aurora - half the book is about Aurora's mother and father. Of course, there would be no Aurora if her mother and father had not met. Unfortunately she loses them and finds she is not wanted in the green land she was born in because she is different. So she travels to find her place and other Northern Fey.

I am not real sure how I feel about this one. The first read through was was a little exciting and mysterious because I didn't know where the story was going, and the art is beautiful. Reading it a second time, my focus moved to Aurora being 7 years old and feeling out of place because no one likes her,.

I think, for the most part, if I were a child I would be captivated with the pictures and characters. Children usually hold on to that exciting feeling when it is first read. I did really like it. I guess I just shouldn't look to deep.

This could also be consider a Christmas book but think it could be read all year long

I was lucky enough to win a copy of Holly Hardin's book "Aurora of the Northern Lights". This charming fairy tale had me blinking back tears as I read it to my daughter.
Mistletoe is one of the "Northern Fey" who falls in love with a human and chooses to leave her home in order to make a life with him. Their daughter, Aurora, is orphaned at the age of 7 and the bulk of the story details her search for her place in the world. She must persevere through difficult travels and face the rejection of people who don't understand her before she can find a home and family.
This lovely book features bright, delightful illustrations and rhyming prose. My 7 year old daughter, a lover of fairy tales, ate this right up, as did I. A nice addition to our "keeper" shelf!

Mistletoe is a pretty elf who lives with in a cold land. She meets and marries William underneath the 'Northern Lights'. But William was too cold to stay where Mistletoe lives, and so the two of them leave for a warmer land. Then one night, a child is born, and they name her Aurora.
Seven years later, Auroras parents become sick and pass away. Aurora is left alone, and goes to town for help, but she is shunned for being different. A witch gives Aurora a charm for protection and tells her to go to the forest where she belongs. Once in the forest, Aurora comes upon Fey, who tell her she is not one of thier own. They give her a cloak and staff and send her on her way.
Aurora comes upon a castle, and when she knocks on the door, Santa Claus answers. He tells her she is brave to walk so far in the cold, and welcomes her in. Once inside Aurora see the elves, show tell her "We don't care who's small or tall. Welcome, welcome, one and all."

Inside the castle a familiar looking woman comes up to Aurora and tells her she's been searching for her. She reveals herself to be Aurora's grandmother. Aurora finally finds a place where she belongs.

Aurora of the Northern Lights is a sweet children's book. The storyline is nice, and the illustrations are adorable. This would make a cute holiday present.

A delightful and very well illustrated children's story. Aurora's parents lived in a far north area of the world, the same world they had met, fallen in love, and married. They decided to move to a warmer land to make life better for them. Shortly the move, Aurora was born. After seven more years Aurora's parents became ill and passed away. Aurora was then led to move away to a better home. The story continues with Aurora's trip to her new home and her new friends and makes startling discoveries as she goes and settles in a new land.
I would say this story would be great for young children that are starting to learn what is shown in pictures and can understand the written word as they read it themselves or read by another to them as they increase their knowledge.