Swedish Books for Young Readers 1
Swedish Books for Young Readers 4 GUNILLA BERGSTR
ÖM The Alfie Atkins Series, picture books, 1972-2012, Rabén & Sjögren Rights: Rabén & Sjögren Agency Good Night, Alfie Atkins, 1972 Good night and sleep tight! Dad says. Alfie gets a hug and the light goes out. But Alfie doesn’t want to sleep. Now Dad has to fetch a glass of water and look for lions in the closet. And Alfie must have his teddy bear ...The book was the first in the series, and has never been out of print since 1972. It is considered a modern children’s book classics. Very Tricky, Alfie Atkins, 1973 “May I have the toolbox?” Alfie asks. “Mmm, says Dad, but be careful with the saw”. Alfie takes Dad’s toolbox out of the closet. But what is he going to build? Hurry Up, Alfie Atkins, 1975 “Alfie! Hurry up, it’s time to go!” Gunilla Bergström is the creator of Alfie Atkins, one of Sweden’s most popular and timeless picture book characters. Alfie is no hero; in fact, he is not even particularly brave. Perhaps this is why he appeals to so many children and adults: he seems just like us. From her first Alfie book, Gunilla Bergström broke with the tradition of the cute and the ideal to write about real characters in a typical flat in an urban high-rise block. Gunilla Bergström has written over forty books translated into more than thirty languages and has won the Astrid Lindgren Prize, the medal Illis Quorum Meruere Labores from the Swedish Government and numerous other awards. Dad shouts from the kitchen. “We have to go to kindergarten!” “Yes, I will,” says Alfie, “I just have to...” Alfie Atkins and His Secret Friend, 1976 Malcolm is Alfie’ secret friend who comes to play when Alfie wants him to. He is so secret that only Alfie can see him. One day when Malcolm wants to play, they do something that is forbidden - they borrow Dad’s finest pipe. And suddenly the pipe is gone! Where did it go? And what will Dad say? Photo: Lisa Thanner