Book 1 · Germany and the Alps
German Christmas Stories
A horned Krampus, a phantom rider, and twelve nights when the spirits roam.
Creatures you'll meet: Rauhnacht spirits · Wild Hunt · Belsnickel · Buttnmandl · Schimmelreiter · Krampus
Book series · Ages 8-12
The Long Night Library
Christmas legends from around the world, for the longest nights of the year.
Long before there were twinkle lights, the darkest weeks of the year belonged to stranger visitors: a horned Krampus, a giant cat on the prowl for anyone without new clothes, a horse skull that sings at the door. The Long Night Library gathers these legends, from the Alps to Greenland, for readers ages 8 to 12.
Each chapter begins with a short introduction to a real legend or custom, then follows an original story about a child of today who meets it face to face. Full-color illustrations open every chapter. The stories are spooky enough to thrill and always end warm, just right for reading together through Advent or alone on a snowy afternoon.
The six books
Book 2 · Germany
More German Christmas Stories
Legends of the Nutcracker, the Christkind, Frau Holle, Knecht Ruprecht and Perchta.
Creatures you'll meet: Perchta · Knecht Ruprecht · Frau Holle · Hans Trapp · Nutcracker · Christkind
Book 3 · Iceland
Icelandic Christmas Stories
Legends of Grýla, the Yule Cat and the Thirteen Yule Lads.
Creatures you'll meet: Grýla · Yule Cat · Yule Lads · Leppalúði · Hidden Folk · Night Trolls
Book 4 · Wales, Cornwall, Scotland and Ireland
Celtic Christmas Stories
Legends of the Mari Lwyd, the Cailleach and the winter folk of the Celtic lands.
Creatures you'll meet: Mari Lwyd · Guisers · Wren Boys · Cailleach · First-Footer · Trows
Book 5 · Sweden, Norway and Finland
Nordic Christmas Stories
Legends of the tomte, the Yule goat and the winter trolls.
Creatures you'll meet: Tomte · Yule Goat · Lussi · Dovre Troll · Christmas witches · Nuuttipukki
Book 6 · Greenland
Greenlandic Christmas Stories
Legends of the Mother of the Sea, the giant wolf and the northern lights.
Creatures you'll meet: Mother of the Sea · Tupilak · Qivittoq · Northern lights · Amaroq · Mitaartut
Every book stands on its own, so you can start with any of them.
Questions from parents and teachers
What age are these books for?
Ages 8 to 12, for independent readers and for families who read aloud together. The scares are the pleasant kind, and every story ends warm.
Do they need to be read in order?
No. Each book is a standalone collection of six stories, so you can start with the country your family comes from, or the creature that sounds the most fun.
Are the legends real?
Yes. Every chapter opens with a short, true introduction to a real legend or custom. The stories that follow are new, about children of today.