Swedish Books for Young Readers 1
23 Swedish Books for Young Readers Ulf Nilsson Al
l the Dear Little Animals, ill. Eva Eriksson picture book, 2006, Bonnier Carlsen Rights: Bonnier Rights Ulf Nilsson, born in 1948 in Helsingborg, currently lives in Stockholm. His authorship has resulted in a broad and extensive production including everything from children’s books to novels. His books are filled with humor, warmth and imagination, often with a touch of irony. A recurring theme is the victory of Good over Bad as well as always speaking in favor of children. Another theme is about acknowledgement and being seen, how to control your own fears by protecting someone smaller than yourself. With enormous insight, precision, humor and an irrepressible tone Ulf Nilsson has written a book about playing and being serious, life and death. The game is liberating and unsentimental, but there is also a tone of underlying seriousness. The best Singer in the World, ill. Eva Eriksson picture book, 2012, Bonnier Carlsen Rights: Bonnier Rights The world never seems more terrible than when you are afraid of making a fool of yourself! And if you are forced to do it on a stage in front of a lot of people, disaster is imminent. But sometimes you have to try, if nothing else then for someone else’s sake. A poetic and evocative picture book with warm humor, about perhaps the greatest fear of all – not daring! Detective Gordon Series, ill. Gitte Spee, children’s fiction, 2013-2019, 5 titles, Bonnier Carlsen Rights: Bonnier Rights A friendly, philosophical and thoughtful series about the rather tired Commissioner Gordon and his chirpy assistant Paddy. Warm, witty wisdom, affectionately illustrated in colour by the acclaimed Dutch illustrator Gitte Spee. Laura is (not) afraid, ill. Anna Blåder children’s fiction, 2019, Lilla Piratförlaget Rights: Lilla Piratförlaget Laura wants to befriend the neighbor’s cat Murre, but finds him a bit scary. Three warm and short stories about fear and the friendship between Laura and Murre. Photo: Stefan Tell