A New Christmas Tradition
Ulvie and the Advent of the
Yule Lads 

The Saga of Belsnickel, Ulvie and the Advent of the Yule Lads
An American Adaptation of Iceland's Wildest Winter Folklore

In the deep forests of medieval Thuringia, where snow clings to the pines and stars hang like lanterns over silent hills, a young Scandinavian boy named Ulvie is caught between two worlds. The year is 1103, and as the ancient Norse ways fade into the shadow of the rising Christian light, Ulvie stands at the crossroads of myth and meaning.

​

This richly illustrated volume in The Saga of Belsnickel series brings to life one of winter’s most curious traditions—the mischievous Yule Lads of Icelandic lore. But this is not a retelling for the scholars or the faint of heart. This is an American adaptation, woven with warmth, reverence, and a hearty dose of Christmas mischief.

​

Ulvie, along with his faithful companions—Donner and Blitzen, two young reindeer of great strength and spirit—find themselves once again in the company of the mysterious Herr Klaus and the wise gnome-folk known as the Thurinickel clan. Winter draws near, and with it, rumors stir of strange happenings across the North: missing food stores, echoing laughter in empty barns, and boots upturned by invisible hands.

​

At the heart of it all are thirteen unruly visitors from the mountains: the Yule Lads.

Each of these peculiar trolls bears a name and nature all his own—Spoon-Licker, Door-Slammer, Sausage-Snatcher, and the infamous Stubby, to name a few. Their antics, once misunderstood as dangerous or even demonic, are revealed in this tale to be something far more complex. The Yule Lads are not merely rude guests—they are orphans of old magic, born of a time when giants ruled the North and mischief was a shield against despair.

​

Through snowy forests and enchanted halls, Ulvie learns that these troublesome creatures are not villains but lost souls, shaped by hardship, wildness, and neglect. With compassion and courage, Ulvie confronts them one by one, uncovering the story behind each of their strange behaviors.

​

But this is no mere tale of naughty and nice. It is a story of redemption, of ancient wrongs righted through kindness and courage. Herr Klaus, once feared as a figure of reckoning, is revealed as a guardian of balance and hope. His mission, shared with Ulvie and the gnomes, is not to punish but to restore—to remind both children and spirits of what the light of Yule truly means.

​

In the end, The Saga of Belsnickel, Ulvie and the Advent of the Yule Lads is more than a seasonal tale. It is a story that invites families to explore forgotten folklore, to laugh at the antics of these wild winter trolls, and to embrace the spirit of grace and second chances.

​

Filled with original illustrations, lyrical storytelling, and timeless themes, this book is a perfect addition to any family’s Christmas tradition. Whether read aloud on chilly December nights or cherished in quiet reflection, it is a tale that brings warmth, wonder, and a touch of northern magic to the holiday season.