Swedish Books for Young Readers 1
5 Swedish Books for Young Readers ELSA BESKOW Els
a Beskow (1874-1953) is a popular Swedish author and illustrator of children’s books. Her books have been translated to many languages and she is often referred to as the author who first introduced the Swedish picture book abroad. The Elsa Beskow Award was created in 1958 to recognize the year’s best Swedish picture book illustrator. Nature always plays an active part in her fairytales in which flowers, trees, mountains and pinecones come to life. Her illustrations are filled with small details that fuel the observer’s imagination. The Sun Egg, picture book, 1932, Bonnier Carlsen Rights: Bonnier Rights A mysterious orange egg has fallen into the woods. ”It’s a sun egg!” declares the elf who finds it nestled on the forest floor. Soon she and her friends find out what it really is, but not before the little elf goes off on one of the best adventures she has ever had. Pelle’s New Suit, picture book, 1912, Bonnier Carlsen Rights: Bonnier Rights Pelle has a lamb whose coat just grows longer and longer, while Pelle’s Sunday suit grows shorter! So Pelle shears the lamb, and the wool is turned into a new suit for Pelle. Aunt Green, Aunt Brown and Aunt Lavender, picture book, 1918, Bonnier Carlsen Rights: Bonnier Rights In this first of the classic Peter and Lotta books, Elsa Beskow tells how the two children come to meet the three colorful sisters known as Aunt Green, Aunt Brown and Aunt Lavender. Photo: private