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Original poster

Fantastic children's books by Astrid Lindgren - are they well known in the UK?

44 replies

emkana · 13/06/2006 21:31

She wrote Pippi Longstocking, which I know is popular here.

But she also wrote other fantastic, wonderful children's books which I'm not sure are widely known in the UK?

I can recommend them anyway!
I have read "The Children of Noisy Village" to dd1 recently, and she loved it.
Desperately sad and so suitable for older children is "The brothers Lionheart" (deals with death and loss)

Full \link{http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/l/astrid-lindgren/pippi-longstocking.htm\list here}

Please do tell me if you all know about these books anyway -
Astrid Lindgren is very well-known in Germany and I just didn't see that much of her here!

OP posts:
frogs · 14/06/2006 10:08

And while we're at it, what genius felt the need to translate 'Das doppelte Lottchen' as 'Lottie and Lisa'? Ottfried Preussler is another Gm author I adored as a child who is available in English but has never really taken off.

And Pan Tau, tragically, has never made it to England. Although Das singende klingende Bäumchen did, which is much weirder imo.

Conversely of course, it was obvious to me even at age 7 that Hanni und Nanni is a complete travesty of the original. I spent much energy trying to persuade my Gm friends that if they just tried hard enough they'd be able to understand Malory Towers in the original. Grin

JanH · 14/06/2006 10:05

If anybody would like them I have Cherry Time at Bullerby, The Mischievous Martens and Happy Days at Bullerby (I used to have Lotta Leaves Home and the Six Bullerby Children, but don't know where they are atm). Published by Mammoth 1991.

Original poster
emkana · 14/06/2006 09:57

That's what
I found it as on amazon.

OP posts:
frogs · 14/06/2006 09:55

I didn't realise they had, emkana -- I'm sure dd1 has a copy in English called, logically enough, The Bullerby Children. But was an old copy, so maybe they felt the need to 'update' it. Strange.

Original poster
emkana · 14/06/2006 09:51

Oh and Mardy doesn't sound half as nice as Madita.

Just to moan a bit more. Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
emkana · 14/06/2006 09:50

I really don't know why they translated Wir Kinder aus Bullerbü as Children from Noisy Village - strange.

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frogs · 13/06/2006 22:46

I had them as a child, but in German. Loved, loved Wir Kinder aus Bullerbü I led a whole parallel fantasy life in which I lived there. They are available in English, but not very widely I've picked up a few over the years in second hand shops and dd1 loved them too. Mardita is available in English as 'Mardy' which isn't quite so appealing. But great books for early readers.

And as for Pippi, what can I say? What an idol. Grin

Katymac · 13/06/2006 22:27

DD has the tapes of Pippi and has listened to them for 4 yrs

We have been to the museum in Stoickholm and DD loved it

We also like Ronia

Original poster
emkana · 13/06/2006 22:25

Dd1 and I are currently reading Pippi Longstocking and dd is very impressed with her!

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FillyjonktheFluffy · 13/06/2006 22:08

i love the children of noisy village, aka bullerby children.

and pippi of course.

i went to the theme park in stockholm... before I had kids...

LeahE · 13/06/2006 22:02

I loved The Brothers Lionheart as a child and it's now back in print (hurrah!) although in a different translation which is probably objectively better but takes some getting used to.

chocciekookee · 13/06/2006 21:46

I loved 'Mardie' when I was little and have kept it for my daughters. They are really sweet stories and capture a child's imagination.

Original poster
emkana · 13/06/2006 21:39

They are all lovely. Nice as well is Madita about a little girl - would consider the name if I had another little girl, even though dh would probably not be keen.

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JanH · 13/06/2006 21:37

I used to have lots of hers, emkana - about the Martens? And Lotte and Lisa?

schneebly · 13/06/2006 21:36

I am sure we used to get lots of her stories in primary school (Scotland). Sending you good vibes for labour~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Smile

JackieNo · 13/06/2006 21:35

Just finished reading Pippi Longstocking to my DD - she really enjoyed them. As much as I did when I first read them. Will have to look out for the others.

Original poster
emkana · 13/06/2006 21:34

Oops that link just takes you to the bit about pippi.

If you click on the name Astrid Lindgren on the top you get the full list.

OP posts:
cazzybabs · 13/06/2006 21:34

So you are still here then!

She is Sweedish and if you to Stockholm there is a whole small indoor themepark/museum based on all her books! I love Pippi - I want to be her!

Gingerbear · 13/06/2006 21:33

ooh, I love Pippi dooh dah, will have to look out for those others.
emkana, I really hope you 'get going' soon

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