This book was a delight to read. Through the eyes of Anne Katrine, I relived many of the dreams and fears I once held as a child. I experienced the wonder of shrinking myself to a diminutive size, flying on the back of an owl, conversing with animals, and enjoying a friendship with magical elves named Yul and Nissa. Although many details of the story are fantastical, the author grounds the story in a specific locale by sprinkling in references to the Philadelphia area. I especially loved her imaginative portrayal of Nissa who is introduced wearing hot pink knee socks, lime green sneakers, and a Phillies baseball cap!

Aside from being a captivating adventure, I would recommend this book for its educational value. It gently teaches important life lessons, such as how to manage one’s inevitable mistakes along the way. As Yul reminds Nissa, “What’s done is done,” and the two set out to remedy the mistake together. The author also inserts interesting tidbits about Danish lore within the story, introducing readers to Runic Stones which figured in early Danish history. Finally, the author clearly loves the richness of language and weaves a game of puns between Anne Katrine and her magical friends which enhances the playfulness of their relationship.