Swedish Books for Young Readers 1
Swedish Books for Young Readers 34 JuJja Wiesland
er Few double acts in children’s literature are so loved and enduring as Jujja Wieslander’s Mamma Moo, a beautiful, friendly, inquisitive cow, and the argumentative, know-all Crow. Their deep friendship and vivid personalities, contrasting but also complementary, have entertained readers for three decades. Mamma Moo likes to experiment, Crow, on the other hand, has a firm sense of what cows should and should not do and tells her so, sometimes becoming extremely angry in the process. But although he constantly rebukes her, Crow also admires Mamma Moo’s zest for adventure. Central to all the books is the importance of play in developing the child’s imagination, a positive outlook on life and the ability to solve problems. The Mamma Moo books are illustrated by the highly-acclaimed Sven Nordqvist, and have been translated into more than twenty languages. Jujja Wieslander has won the Astrid Lindgren Prize and the Barnboksplaketten, among other awards. Mamma Moo Builds a Tree House, ill. Sven Nordqvist, 2014, picture book Rabén & Sjögren Rights: Raben & Sjögren Agency “I want to build a tree house,” Mamma Moo said. “A what?” Said the crow. “Yes, moo. A house. In that tree.” “You’re a cow Mamma Moo. Repeat after me: I am a cow. Cows do not climb trees, and do not build tree houses. Say it.” “Now I’m getting a hammer and nail,” said Mamma Moo Mamma Moo Cleans Up, ill. Sven Nordqvist, picture book, 2017, Rabén & Sjögren Rights: Rabén & Sjögren Agency “Look what I’ve done!” said Mamma Moo. I’ve picked flowers, polished windows and swept the floor. Not all cows can do that.” “Do what?” said the crow. “Cleaning,” said Mamma Moo. “Cleaning ?!” cried Crow. “You call that cleaning?!” Vina Vina’s Wolfstick, 2013, ill. Lotta Geffenblad, Rabén & Sjögren Rights: Rabén & Sjögren Agency Vina Vina has found a stick! You can pretend it’s a chain saw (urrhn, urrhn, urrhn) or a fishing pole (drip, drip, drip), and you can draw long lines in the sand with it. But most importantly, you can use it when the wolf comes. Vina Vina throws, and the wolf fetches, again and again and again. Hjördis at School, 2019, ill. Lotta Geffenblad, Rabén & Sjögren Rights: Rabén & Sjögren Agency Number 1 Sunny Street is the best place in the world. You can hear that in the name. Here lives Hjördis, dealing with with friendship, play and everyday life: just as fun, exciting and sometimes as frightening as it should be. It’s about best friends, secret societies and the love for a cat as well as games and mysterious old ladies. Photo: Magnus Liam Karlsson