Norwegian Folk Tales of Anthon and Gurina Johnson

Retold by Jean Russell Larson. Illustrations by Penny Follows Frischkorn.
Jean Russell Larson presents eight delightful “chimney-corner” tales that have been passed down in her Norwegian family.

The delightful new release from Penfield Books, Norwegian Folk Tales of Anthon and Gurina Johnson, has stories of maidens and misers, of smellly old goats and greedy princes, with the requisite cautionary tales for young listeners. You’ll find a story on a girl named Dumpling and an orphan named Elsie who understands that “fair is fair.”

Larson grew up hearing the stories from her great-grandmother, who immigrated to America from Norway. She told the tales to her children, who referred to the stories as “chimney-corner tales,” given that the corner fireplace was where family members gathered to hear the stories. And now she’s sharing them with her readers.

Illustration: “Everything has its place.”