• Age: 0 to 7
• Grade: p to 2
• Reading age: 4 to 8

Astrid is excited when she finds out that her Swedish grandmother, Mormor, will be coming to live with Astridís family after Morfarís death. But when Mormor arrives, she is sad and grumpy, and she disapproves of Astridís beloved stuffed animal, Bjorn. The relationship seems doomed until one day on the way to school, Astrid loses Bjorn and Mormor goes out of her way to bring him back.

Susin Nielsen-Fernlund has written 16 episodes of the internationally-acclaimed TV series "Degrassi Junior High" and four books in the "Degrassi" line. She has also written for many award-winning children’s TV series, include "Ready or Not," "The Adventures of Shirely Holmes," and the animate series "What about Mimi." She co-created the animated pre-school series, "Franny’s Feet," and recently adapted Susan Juby’s "Alice I Think" trilogy into a TV series. The Magic Beads is Susin’s third children’s book, following the Mr. Christie’s Silver award-winner "Hank and Fergus, and Mormor Moves In." Susin Nielsen lives in Vancouver, BC.

Susin Nielsen-Fernlund's profile page

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• Short-listed, Chocolate Lily nominee
• Commended, CCBC Our Choice
• Commended, Resource Links "The Year's Best"