Celebrating Christmas in July with Sonja Anderson: A Heartfelt Conversation

A Warm Welcome to Sonja Anderson

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This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity but reflects the full conversation from the BookWorthy Podcast. Grab a cup of coffee, listen, and read along. This post does contain affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

Introducing Sonja Anderson and Her Book

Valerie - Welcome to BookWorthy, where we explore the heart behind the books your kids are reading. In today's bonus episode, we celebrate Christmas in July with children's author Sonja Anderson. Sonja writes from her home in Seattle, Washington, where she is a wife, mother, and critique group coordinator of the Northwest Christian Writers Association. When she's not watching boats glide by on Puget Sound, she enjoys her daily job as a librarian. Today, we're diving into her book, A Christmas Wish for a Little Dala Horse. Welcome to BookWorthy, Sonja!

Sonja - Thank you so much! I'm delighted to be here today.

Valerie - It's a pleasure to have you. Any excuse to don my Christmas sweater is a good one! To kick things off, let's do our random question of the week. In the spirit of Christmas, what's the most memorable Christmas gift you've ever received?

Random Question of the Week

Sonja - I have to say my husband has given me two really special gifts. They are quite different, but both are meaningful. When I taught in Japan, my students gifted me a beautiful pearl necklace as a farewell present, but it was stolen. For our 10th wedding anniversary that Christmas, my husband replaced it. That was incredibly special. On the flip side, he once gifted me a stack of 10 yellow-lined tablets of paper. Early in my writing journey, he knew this was more than just a phase. It felt like a giant permission slip, affirming my passion for writing. Both gifts were thoughtful in their own ways.

Valerie - That sounds memorable! I also have a stack of yellow legal pads in my closet. There's something fun about receiving blank paper! Now, Sonja, could you share a bit about your inspiration behind A Christmas Wish for a Little Dala Horse?

Insight into A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse

Sonja - As a librarian assistant, I was checking in a stack of runaway gingerbread man stories. You know, the ones that have been around forever? Kindergarten classes had been reading various versions, like runaway dreidel and runaway matzo ball. As I went through them, I thought, "There should be a Swedish version!" My family has Swedish roots, and we celebrate many traditions, especially at Christmas. So, I quickly drafted a story about a pepper cocker cookie, a Swedish version of a gingerbread cookie, and a Dala horse that also ran away. My agent loved the idea but suggested we focus on a more heartfelt version rather than a madcap one. I was surprised when she said, "Let's go with the quiet version." It turned out to be the right choice. The story evolved beautifully with feedback from my critique group and family.

Valerie - It sounds like a sweet story with rich Swedish traditions. Can you share some of the Swedish elements included in the book?

Sonja - Absolutely! There are simple Swedish vocabulary words sprinkled throughout. The story features tomtens, little Swedish figures who guard farms and require minimal sustenance, like a bowl of rice pudding on Christmas Eve. If you forget, they might cause mischief! The illustrator included tomtens in the corners holding signs with Swedish words for kids to learn. You'll also find straw ornaments, Swedish candelabras, and traditional foods like pepper cookies. A significant part of the story revolves around the Santa Lucia celebration, which my children participated in at our church in Seattle.

Valerie - That’s a wonderful way to introduce readers to Swedish traditions! Did you ever play St. Lucia in the pageant growing up?

Sonja - I never did, unfortunately. My church in Ohio didn't celebrate it initially, but my mom became involved later. Occasionally, she would host a Lucia breakfast at home. In many Swedish families, daughters dress in white robes with red sashes, and the eldest wears a crown of candles, serving saffron buns and coffee to the family.

History of the St. Lucia Tradition

Valerie - For those unfamiliar, can you tell us about St. Lucia?

Sonja - Certainly! St. Lucia was a young Italian woman from centuries ago. When her mother fell ill, she prayed for her recovery and vowed to give her dowry to the poor if her mother was healed. After her mother recovered, she kept her vow and brought food to persecuted Christians in hiding. Unfortunately, her fiancé turned her in, and she was martyred for her courage and kindness. The story became part of Swedish tradition, symbolizing hope during dark winters.

Valerie - That's fascinating! What message do you hope to convey to children through your book?

The Goal of A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse

God loves them, and they can give gifts of the heart no matter who they are, no matter what their circumstances. We are all unfinished, aren't we? Even if they feel damaged, they can still give and receive love.

Sonja - In the story, the little Dala horse is newly carved and learns about love and being a gift of the heart from an old horse in the shop. The old horse shares how he was once carved as a gift for a family. As the story unfolds, each character gives and receives love, teaching the little Dala horse that even if he feels broken, he is still worthy of love. I hope readers understand that God loves them, and they can give heartfelt gifts regardless of their circumstances.

Valerie - I love that unexpected twist! The ending, where the little horse finds his person, is so sweet. We all want to be loved despite our flaws. It’s beautiful how the little girl helps make him special again. In God's hands, we become precious. As a librarian, did you always aspire to be an author?

Sonja’s Writing Journey

Maybe every librarian has had that secret dream.

Sonja - Yes, perhaps every librarian shares that dream! When I was little, my mom sent me a piece of construction paper folded into quarters, tied with red yarn. It said "Sonja's book" in backward letters. I was probably five, and even then, I imagined being an author. In second grade, I entered a contest about what Christmas means to me. I wrote two versions: one madcap and one heartfelt. The heartfelt version won, and I read it at the Christmas assembly. From that moment on, I was hooked on writing.

Valerie - That’s wonderful! When did you decide to take your writing beyond journaling?

Sonja - I always talked about wanting to be a writer. While teaching in Japan, I was tasked with creating a multi-faith class. I had to find stories from various faith backgrounds to share with my students. Each time I read a Bible story, the kids would ask if it was true, which deeply impacted me. I began to think about how to help kids navigate a diverse world while understanding Jesus as our Savior. I created a character, an owl, to guide them on this journey.

After moving to Seattle and having my first child, I started reading children's books. When my daughter argued with classmates about whose God was bigger, I realized kids needed a way to learn about each other's backgrounds. This inspired my original novel, Sophie's Quest, which is now out of print but part of a three-book series I hope to resurrect. The events of 9/11 also motivated me to write something that fostered understanding and respect among different faiths.

Valerie - It’s amazing how your experiences shaped your writing. What is your favorite book?

Sonja Anderson’s Favorite Book

Sonja - While many might say the Bible, my all-time favorite is Heidi by Johanna Spyri. I read my mom's old copy, and it ignited my imagination. Heidi's brave journey into the mountains with her grumpy grandfather captivated me. Growing up in Ohio, I longed to see mountains. My dad took us to Colorado to fulfill that dream, and it changed my life. More than the mountains, Heidi's love for others transformed everyone around her. I strive to write stories that can transform lives too.

Valerie - Stories have such power! They inspire us and shape our aspirations as writers. What can we expect next from you?

Sonja - I have several picture books in the works with my agent. I’m also writing a novel set in Japan during the Shogun era. I recently won first place in a Cascade Christian Writers Contest for that novel. It's aimed at middle-grade readers, and I hope it finds a publishing home soon.

Valerie - That sounds intriguing! The cultural differences and historical context will surely create a rich story. Where can people find out more about you and your book, Sonja?

Where to Find Sonja Anderson

Sonja - Thank you! You can visit my website at www.sonjaandersonbooks.com. There, you can sign up for my newsletter for updates on book signings and events. I promise not to bombard you with emails!

Valerie - We’ll include those links in the show notes for easy access. Thank you so much for joining me today, Sonja.

Sonja - Thank you! It was a delight. Have a Merry Christmas in July!

Valerie - And thank you for joining us on this bonus episode of the BookWorthy Podcast. Check the show notes for any books or links we discussed. Let us know in the comments about the most memorable Christmas gift you've received. Be sure to like and subscribe to discover more great books together.

Happy reading!