Books published by publisher Nodin Press

In the busy house of the Svennson family, everyone is getting ready for the Swedish holiday of Lucia Day, December 13. The book tells the story of Santa Lucia through the eyes of three children in modern-day Sweden. It describes their giddy activities, brought to life in colorful, full-page illustrations, and also provides sheet music, recipes, and sewing patterns for the costumes traditionally worn by children on this day, when many Swedish people celebrate the legacy of Lucia and the coming of the light with coffee, saffron buns, ginger snaps, and wonderful singing. One of the most beloved and celebrated traditions of the Swedish people, Lucia Day also signifies that the Christmas holiday is getting close. Although the book is aimed at the 5- to 10-year-old age group, many parents and grandparents may enjoy reading it to younger children.

One day at her dad's house, a young girl finds two old potatoes in the cupboard. ''Gross.'' But before she can throw them away, her dad suggests they try to grow new potatoes from the old ones, which have sprouted eyes. Told from May to September, the potato-growing season, the story includes all the basic steps for growing potatoes while subtly dealing with the parents' recent divorce. Just like the new potatoes that emerge from ugly old potatoes, this dad and daughter move on and make a new life together in the face of unavoidable and unpleasant change. Carolyn Fisher's artwork will be instantly recognizable from her picture book debut, A Twisted Tale, and her trademark high-energy art and design infuse joy and humor into this heartwarming story.

High school hookers, a principal as rotten as spoiled potato salad and a reporter stuck in a dead-end job all come together in a mystery that proves the suburbs aren't that safe after all. Skeeter Hughes morphs from leathery journalist to a mom on a mission when she learns her daughter was nearly lured into the crime that's run out of the Mall of America.