New Swedish Books, spring 2017 1
New Swedish Books 38 Three To a young reader ther
e seems to be nothing more fun than to get stuck into a book that’s a bit silly, and correct it where it’s gone wrong. In Three this device is already firmly established from the first page. On one side there’s Jonatan. He’s got three arms and three hands. Or does he? As you turn the pages the narrator takes it all back and confirms the reader’s suspicion. “No, I said that wrongly. Jonatan has two arms and two hands and likes to hug tightly, really tightly.” But what about three legs and three feet? No! Three mouths? Three bums? Three eyes? The comedic effect is immediate, taking as its starting point the world and interests of the three-year-old. It’s based on counting, repetition, recognising the world around you, and a bit of lavatory humour. The book’s loyalty lies firmly with the child. Per Nilsson (text) b. 1954 Lisen Adbåge (ill) b. 1982 Three Som hund som katt (Rabén & Sjögren 2016) Young Adult book Publisher Alfabeta annakaisa.danielsson@alfabeta.se www.alfabeta.se Rights Alfabeta bokförlag annakaisa@alfabeta.se Per Nilsson Selected Works Otopia (Rabén & Sjögren 2014) Young Adult book Tvåan illustrated by Emelie Östergren (Alfabeta 2015) Picture book Literary Prizes (selection) Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis 1997 Augustpriset 2006 Los Angeles Times Book Prize 2006 Lisen Adbåge Selected Works Koko & Bosse – hinner inte! (Natur & Kultur 2015) Picture book Stinas ljud (Pixi 2015) Picture book Tio vilda hästar till toppen, written by Grethe Rottböll (Rabén & Sjögren 2015) Picture book Photo: Monica Malmberg Photo: Emma Adbåge