by Astrid Lindgren
Paperback
Beginning in 1939, Lindgren —Sweden's beloved children's author — began writing books for young people. Her final two books were published posthumously in 2002, the year she died at age 94, and in 2007. Well, maybe these aren't her final books; In January 2008, the national Library of Sweden inaugurated the Astrid Lindgren Archive and opened parts of it to the public, and other manuscripts may be developed.
In her almost 70 years of writing, she had composed over 100 books that have been translated into 84 languages and sold in over 100 countries. Many were made into movies, including those about her most famous character, "Pippi Longstocking". In 1999, her homeland voted her "the most popular Swede of the century", a theme park in her hometown of Vimmerby bears her name, "Astrid Lindgren's Varld", and in the late 70s a Soviet astronomer even named a new minor planet after her.
According to Lindgren, the "noisy village," a recurring location in some stories, was reminiscent of the small town where she grew up, and the boyish unkempt behavior of characters like Pippi was based on Lindgren's recollections of herself as a young girl. For ages 3 - 8.
-
by Astrid Lindgren
Paperback
Beginning in 1939, Lindgren —Sweden's beloved children's author — began writing books for young people. Her final two books were published posthumously in 2002, the year she died at age 94, and in 2007. Well, maybe these aren't her final books; In January 2008, the national Library of Sweden inaugurated the Astrid Lindgren Archive ... ... more -
by Tove Jansson
Paperback
Tove Marika Jansson, the author of the Moomin series, was a Swedish-Finnish novelist, painter, illustrator and comic strip author. Between 1945 and 1993 Jansson ... ... moreby Tove Jansson
Paperback
Tove Marika Jansson, the author of the Moomin series, was a Swedish-Finnish novelist, painter, illustrator and comic strip author. Between 1945 and 1993 Jansson wrote and released nine books in the series, along with five picture books and a comic strip. Since then, the Moomins have been the subjects for numerous television series and films, and there is even a theme park called Moomin World in Naantali, Finland. The Moomins are snow-white, round trolls with large snouts making them resemble hippopotami. This carefree and adventurous family, always having great adventures together, lives in the forests of Finland in Moominvalley. In this book, Sniff (a small kangaroo-like creature) and Snufkin, a mysterious traveller who lives with Moomintroll and Sniff, find a Hobgoblin's Hat on a mountain-top. The strange powers of this hat create total havoc in Moominvalley making many strange things happen. For upper elementary age readers. -
by Jan Brett
Paperback
This is one of Brett’s first books. The story is sweet, and the illustrations of horses are beautiful. The loveliest horses live within a walled city where the proud people pamper and train them. Fritz, a pony, was not a beautiful horse, but when something frightening happens, Fritz takes over. Soon he is pampered ... ... moreby Jan Brett
Paperback
This is one of Brett’s first books. The story is sweet, and the illustrations of horses are beautiful. The loveliest horses live within a walled city where the proud people pamper and train them. Fritz, a pony, was not a beautiful horse, but when something frightening happens, Fritz takes over. Soon he is pampered and loved by all the children within the wall. Ages 5 to 8. -
by Jaakko Alatalo (Sami)
Paperback
Subtitled from Dawn to Dusk in Lapland, follow along with Lina-Marja as she gets ready for school. Follow her through the school day until she returns home and visits her grandmother. She and her mother leave this home to go to another home where her father and brother have been working. Alatalo has ... ... moreby Jaakko Alatalo (Sami)
Paperback
Subtitled from Dawn to Dusk in Lapland, follow along with Lina-Marja as she gets ready for school. Follow her through the school day until she returns home and visits her grandmother. She and her mother leave this home to go to another home where her father and brother have been working. Alatalo has done a nice job of blending the older Lapland ways with the contemporary lifestyle of the Sami. Learn some Sami words, and about the region they live in. Beautiful colored photography. Ages 5 to 8. -
by Kirsten Sevig
This is a coloring book plus! This fun 48 page book includes great tidbits about Norwegian crafts, recipes, songs, and traditions. It is a great introduction to the Norwegian people and lifestyle. Children (and adults) can color images of Norway's fjords, farms, costumes, towns, Vikings, and trolls as they learn about holidays, "rosemaling", ... ... moreby Kirsten Sevig
This is a coloring book plus! This fun 48 page book includes great tidbits about Norwegian crafts, recipes, songs, and traditions. It is a great introduction to the Norwegian people and lifestyle. Children (and adults) can color images of Norway's fjords, farms, costumes, towns, Vikings, and trolls as they learn about holidays, "rosemaling", goat cheese, and stave churches. Ages 5 - 12. -
by Margi Preus
Paperback
This wonderful story was inspired by the real-life adventures of a Norwegian WW II spy, Erling Storrusten, whom the award-winning author Preus interviewed. In the retelling, Preus gives us the story of a 14-year-old Norwegian boy named Espen. After Nazi Germany invades and occupies Norway, Espen and his friends are swept up in the ... ... moreby Margi Preus
Paperback
This wonderful story was inspired by the real-life adventures of a Norwegian WW II spy, Erling Storrusten, whom the award-winning author Preus interviewed. In the retelling, Preus gives us the story of a 14-year-old Norwegian boy named Espen. After Nazi Germany invades and occupies Norway, Espen and his friends are swept up in the resistance movement. Espen gets his start delivering illegal newspapers, graduates to the role of courier, and finally becomes a spy, dodging the Gestapo along the way. During five years under the Nazi regime, he gains—and loses—friends, falls in love, and makes one small mistake that threatens to catch up with him as he sets out to escape on skis over the mountains to Sweden. Preus incorporates archival photographs and other images, maps, and an informative epilogue and Author’s Note. She also recommends four other WW II Scandinavian-related books for young readers. Rural Route Bookstore offers all four of these on this same section. Ages 10 to 14, Lexile 730L. -
by Astrid Lindgren
Paperback
In this charming book, Lindgren writes about the yearlong fun and everyday life of six humorous children — Lisa, Karl, Britta, Anna, Olaf and Bill — who live on three neighboring farms. People in that area refer to the location as "noisy village" because of the high-spirited life and fun found there. Join ... ... moreby Astrid Lindgren
Paperback
In this charming book, Lindgren writes about the yearlong fun and everyday life of six humorous children — Lisa, Karl, Britta, Anna, Olaf and Bill — who live on three neighboring farms. People in that area refer to the location as "noisy village" because of the high-spirited life and fun found there. Join the children as they celebrate holidays, go crayfishing, go "nutting" for the New Year, and interact with their families and neighbors. Lindgren not only depicts a village with a special charm, but also creates a perfect children's world, touching with its simplicity. The stories are from a bygone era in Sweden when the most important task of a little girl was to play with friends, and the greatest worry was to find the eggs of the old hen. The book teaches cultural history, but is also a great escape from life in today's world. Reading level: Ages 9 to 12. -
by Lori Evert; Photography by Per Breiehagen
Hardcover
Be Brave. Be Kind. Believe. These are Anja’s wishes to everyone. This New York Times Bestseller features Anja who sets out to help Santa. Along the way she meets gentle animals wanting to help her. The beautiful photography emphasizes the gorgeous scenery of the Nordic Countries as well ... ... moreby Lori Evert; Photography by Per Breiehagen
Hardcover
Be Brave. Be Kind. Believe. These are Anja’s wishes to everyone. This New York Times Bestseller features Anja who sets out to help Santa. Along the way she meets gentle animals wanting to help her. The beautiful photography emphasizes the gorgeous scenery of the Nordic Countries as well as the dreams of Anja and the gentleness of animals. This lovely book is a keeper for years to come, and children on your gift list will love this treasure. Adults will love reading this too. -
by Jody Littler
Paperback
Littler, who grew up in Wisconsin and ate at Al Johnson’s grassed-roof restaurant, had the same fantasies about goats on a roof as many other children. For non-Midwesterners, Al Johnson’s is a famous Swedish Restaurant and Butik in Door County, and there really are goats grazing on the roof. Goats on a roof is ... ... moreby Jody Littler
Paperback
Littler, who grew up in Wisconsin and ate at Al Johnson’s grassed-roof restaurant, had the same fantasies about goats on a roof as many other children. For non-Midwesterners, Al Johnson’s is a famous Swedish Restaurant and Butik in Door County, and there really are goats grazing on the roof. Goats on a roof is a theme in several old folk tales, but this one is about a goat named DeeCee who climbs around Johnson’s restaurant. And like most goats, this one does not stay still or stay where he should. Enjoy the adventures of DeeCee, and put Al Johnson’s on your list for a family vacation. Illustrated by Jan Jablonski also of Door County. -
retold and illustrated by Janet Stevens
Paperback
This familiar story has been told and retold by many authors and performers, but one of the favorite versions is this one by Stevens. The trolls in this book look like trolls, but the goats take on modern garb to disguise themselves from the hungry, angry troll. The littlest one ... ... moreretold and illustrated by Janet Stevens
Paperback
This familiar story has been told and retold by many authors and performers, but one of the favorite versions is this one by Stevens. The trolls in this book look like trolls, but the goats take on modern garb to disguise themselves from the hungry, angry troll. The littlest one wears a diaper and yellow tee-shirt, and the biggest one is dressed as sort of a biker. Do the goats make it across the bridge? Did the troll gobble up the goats? -
by Astrid Lindgren
Paperback
The tomte, who speaks the "tomter" language, is a good natured elf-like creature who lives only on farms and is very busy during the winter while adults and children sleep a lot. These people have never seen him, but they do see his tiny track in the snow. The invisible "tomten" also visits ... ... moreby Astrid Lindgren
Paperback
The tomte, who speaks the "tomter" language, is a good natured elf-like creature who lives only on farms and is very busy during the winter while adults and children sleep a lot. These people have never seen him, but they do see his tiny track in the snow. The invisible "tomten" also visits all the farm animals, speaks with them in his language, and brings them straw if they are cold. Accompanied by beautiful pastel artwork, this is Astri Lindgren's first book about "tomter", the little elf who protects and loves the people and animals. For ages 4 - 9.