Swedish Books for Young Readers 1
15 Swedish Books for Young Readers Pija Lindenbau
m The Bridget Series, picture books, 2000-2013, 4 titles, Rabén & Sjögren Rights: Raben & Sjögren Agency Bridget and the Gray Wolves, 2000 Bridget is a coward who doesn’t like to pat strange dogs and jump over ditches. One day when the kindergarten is having an outing, Bridget is suddenly lost and alone in the forest. An unknown world is opening up in front of her. Suddenly, the wolves are there. Curious, but cowards. And Bridget calls: “Come on, then!”. We Have To Go To Work, picture book, 2019, Lilla Piratförlaget Rights: Lilla Piratförlaget We follow three children playing, from the room out into the wide world – to the hospital, the supermarket and the forest. The play is sometimes adventurous, often fun and always serious. Poodles and Potatoes, picture book, 2016, Lilla Piratförlaget Rights: Lilla Piratförlaget One day there are no potatoes left. The three dogs have to go out on the open sea to find a new future. When they finally reach land they are met by three poodles on the beach. Is there room for them there? Quirky, contemporary and emotionally truthful, Pija Lindenbaum is one of Sweden’s most popular and successful picture book creators. Her stories have an understated humour that captures the crosscurrents of modern relationships; the characters, be they Bridget or Doris, are urban, willful and never goody-goody. Written from the child’s perspective, Lindenbaum’s books are highly distinctive and instantly recognisable, celebrating the child’s imagination. Her books have won both the August Prize and the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis. Photo: Ulrica Zwenger