School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-The move from Sweden to America is not as exciting to young Hanna as it is to her family. She is forced to say good-bye to her grandmother, the farm animals, and her home. Then a crate arrives from Mormor filled with wonderful things to remind the family of their homeland: a box of chocolates, a jar of homemade jam, and a long, lacy white dress for Hanna to wear on Santa Lucia Day. Inside the packing straw Hanna also finds a "tomten," a magical creature said to bring good luck or mischief depending on his mood, and this one does not look happy. He is angry that he is not on the farm and proceeds to go on a mischief-making rampage. Hanna is blamed and when her parents tell her "enough is enough," she sets out to try and make the tomten feel more at home, ultimately resulting in her own satisfaction about being there. The smoothly integrated plotline and colorful acrylic artwork provide a unique context and glimpse into another culture.-P. G. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In Hanna's Christmas by Melissa Peterson, illus. by Melissa Iwai, ostensibly about Santa Lucia Day, the Swedish tradition associated with Christmas, homesickness for her homeland and grandmother hits Hanna hard as she makes preparations in her new American home. A magical "tomten" helps solve Hanna's problems. Hanna Andersson clothing figures prominently in the pictures. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Hanna is homesick for Sweden as her family prepares for their first Christmas in America. With the help of a tomten, she celebrates Santa Lucia Day and settles into her new home. The art and story are both pleasant, but the package, designed in conjunction with the Hanna Andersson clothing company, suffers from an abundance of sweetness. From HORN BOOK Spring 2002, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Hanna's family has to move to America from Sweden right before Christmas, and Hanna is terribly homesick, at least until a surprise gift from her Grandmother shows up in a box full of Christmas goodies. Hanna is so disappointed that they might not even have time for Christmas this year with all of the unpacking that needs to be done. Then she sees something rustling in the straw in her Grandmother's gift box. To her surprise, out pops a tiny little man, a tomten. Hanna soon learns how much trouble an unhappy tomten can cause as he spends all of his time getting into mischief for which Hanna is blamed. As Hanna helps her new magical companion overcome his homesickness, she finds her own draining away. Together they work to bring a little bit of Swedish Christmas to their new home in America. Bright, but simple illustrations add appeal to this story. An entertaining Christmas tale meant to tie in to a line of mail-order clothing, but not much more. (Picture book. 4-7)
