Sweden

Materials from Sweden

Pippi Longstocking

In 1950, Viking published the original English version of Pippi Longstocking, the story of an irrepressible red-haired, freckle-faced girl who lived with a monkey and a horse, slept with her feet on the pillow, and found her way into the hearts of children all over the world. Now, Astrid Lindgren’s best-selling book has been given a sparkling new translation by the awardwinning Tiina Nunnally and delightful full-color illustrations by the critically acclaimed Lauren Child. This large-format gift book is sure to become the definitive edition of a favorite classic.

A Day with Dad

Tim lives with his mom. His dad lives in another town. But today, Tim’s dad is coming on the train so the two can spend the whole day together — just Tim and Dad. Everywhere the pair goes — the movie theater, the pizzeria, the library — Tim proudly tells the people they meet, “This is my dad!” At the end of the day, Tim is sad to see his dad go but knows that they’ll be together again soon.

Author Bo R. Holmberg and illustrator Eva Eriksson offer a sensitive and honest portrait of a special day between father and son.

Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Big Surprise

Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr were three little boys who lived in Sweden.They had blue eyes and yellow hair, and they looked very much alike. One time, while their mother was visiting a friend, Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr had a wonderful idea. They would buy a new chair for Mother! They found a man who would make a frame for the chair, and someone who would upholster it. And Nanny said if they bought the fabric, she would sew a cover. There was only one problem. How could they pay for all this? With a lot of hard work, the three little boys came up with the perfect solution.

Snipp, Snapp, Snurr Learn to Swim

Snipp, Snapp and Snurr were three little boys who lived in Sweden. They had blue eyes and yellow hair, and they looked very much alike.One summer, the boys went to the seashore with their nanny. Although they didn’t know how to swim, Snipp and Snapp decided to go ‘sailing’ in Nanny’s washtub. Luckily, Snurr ran and got help from their friend Nick. One thing was certain after that–it was time for the boys to learn to swim! It took many lessons and a lot of practice, but in time Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr proudly showed their parents their new skills–and then they even won a swimming contest!

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka Bake a Cake

Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka were three little girls who lived in Sweden. They had blue eyes and yellow curls, and they looked very much alike.When they decided to bake a surprise cake for their mother’s birthday, their friend Aunt Betty helped them. She told them how to make Mother’s favorite cake, and she watched them put it in the oven.”Remember — your cake should bake just half an hour, ” Aunt Betty told the girls as she went out.What happen after that surprised everyone!

This story was originally published in the United States in 1955, Flicka, Ricka, Dicka Bake a Cake was one of a series of treasured books created by Swedish author-artist Maj Lindman (1886-1972). She also wrote and illustrated stories about three little Swedish boys, Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr.

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Strawberries

Flicka, Ricka and Dicka are going wild-strawberry picking, and Mother has promised to pay for every basket they gather. When they stop at a cottage to ask for directions, the girls meet Mary, her baby brother, and their mother. They are very kind, but have patches on their clothes and no milk to drink. After the girls help Mother make strawberry jam, they think of a special way to spend the money they have earned.

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the New Dotted Dresses

One day, Flicka, Ricka and Dicka get beautiful, new dotted dresses. Then they met Aunt Helma, who needs some help. They work hard to take care of her chickens and cow. But in the end, the dotted dresses are in a very sorry state.

Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Buttered Bread

Three little Swedish boys want some butter for their bread, but the cow will give no milk because she has no fresh green grass, and there is no grass because the sun has not been shining. Snipp, Snapp, Snurr work hard to set things right.