Lucia, Saint of Light [Hardcover]

Katherine Bolger Hyde (Author)

Book Description

Long revered in both East and West, St. Lucia is an early virgin martyr whose life and legacy shine as a light of faith, hope, and compassion in the darkness of winter and sin. Lucia, Saint of Light introduces young readers to both her life and her delightful Christmas-related festival as it is traditionally celebrated in Sweden and around the world. Daria Fishers warm and vivid illustrations will make this book a favorite with children and parents alike. Brighten your home this winter with the festival of Lucia, Saint of Light.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Katherine Bolger Hyde is a writer and editor living in Ben Lomond, California. She sings soprano in the choir of St. Lawrence Orthodox Church in Felton and enjoys celebrating the feast of St. Lucia with her parish each December. Visit her on the web at kbhyde.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Conciliar Press; 1st edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982277040
• ISBN-13: 978-0982277041
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > History > Americas > Caribbean & West Indies > Saint Lucia
  • #7 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Eastern
  • #34 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Religious

More About the Author

Katherine Bolger Hyde is not actually related to Ray Bolger, but she always wished she were (anyway, the name is pronounced the same, with a soft "g"). She was born almost in New York City in 1956 and has lived all over the US, but currently makes her home in the redwood country of California with her husband, children, and two obstreperous cats. Katherine taught herself to read at age four and has rarely been without a book since. She decided to become a writer at age eleven, but got sidetracked until her mid-forties. Her specialty is literary-but-accessible "God-haunted" fiction, in which the grace of God shines subtly through the trials and joys of everyday life. When not writing, reading, or editing (her day job), Katherine can usually be found singing, dancing, doing needlework, or drawing plans for her dream house.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That crown of candles explained!, November 1, 2009

By 

S. Shisler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lucia, Saint of Light (Hardcover)

Finally, a book that connects the Italian hymn about Santa Lucia, the Scandinavian festival and the American Girl Doll Kirsten!

Beautiful illustrations accompany a text that deftly weaves history and the present-day celebration. What's not to like about coffee and sweet pastry in bed!? And now we have the back-story on Kristen's crown of candles. If you have the American Girl doll this would be a perfect complement to her collection.

If you collect books on saints (nice to have something besides Tomie DePaola's wonderful books), or if you collect Christmas books, this is definitely one to get.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars inspiring, beautiful book for all ages, October 28, 2009

By 

Najwa (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lucia, Saint of Light (Hardcover)

What a beautiful story about a saint I'd never heard of. If you're an Orthodox Christian, Swedish, or just love saints, you must buy this book. It's not only a lovely story about a woman who was martyred for Christ, but it's a parallel story about how we as modern-day Christians celebrate our namedays. The book starts out with a girl named Lucy who is celebrating her name day on St. Lucia day, and the book follows her along on her journey, with vivid illustrations that my son loved. (He kept pointing at the candles on her head; if you read the book you'll know what they're for).
Lucia Saint of Light is a wonderful book for children to learn about traditions and Orthodox customs and how we celebrate namedays, while learning the story of someone who died for her faith.
I wish I had a book like this growing up, and just bought 5 copies for friends' children on Christmas.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intended for an audience of children age 6 and up, December 24, 2009

By 

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

This review is from: Lucia, Saint of Light (Hardcover)

"Lucia Saint of Light" is a lovely children's book detailing the background story of the life of Saint Lucia of Syracuse, celebrated in Sweden with an annual feast day on December 13. The story is told from the viewpoint of Lucy, a young girl whose parents came from Sweden, and who is the family's Lucia in this year's celebration. Lucy's parents tell her the story of the original St. Lucia, born in Sicily in the late third century. All the pages are accompanied by beautiful, delicate pastel illustrations of the details of Lucia's life. The book is completed with verses from Aposticha for the Feast of Saint Lucia, a recipe for Lussekatter (Lucia Cat Buns), and a list of other resources. "Lucia Saint of Light" is intended for an audience of children age 6 and up.