New Swedish Books, Spring 2018 1
New Swedish Books 46 Valdemar in the Big Forest M
aria Jönsson’s sense of humour is in full bloom as the little wolf Valdemar returns in this witty take on Little Red Riding Hood: Valdemar in the Big Forest. Daddy Wolf, dressed in an apron, sends his little wolf cub, wearing a red hood, off to his Grandpa with some lamb chops. He warns Valdemar not to stray from the road. But the forest is enchanting and soon Valdemar is lost. When the Hunter shows up with his rifle you literally have to turn the book around, so as to feel the full effect of his threatening size. In the spirit of the book’s sensitivity to gender, the well behaved little sister who has been obliged to stay at home plays a crucial and disarming role. Jönsson’s flair for facial expressions and drama is combined with the cuteness of her characterisations. The descriptions of nature veer towards the absurd, with dripping wet trees that mirror Valdemar’s emotional state. Maria Jönsson (b. 1958) Valdemar in the Big Forest Publisher Lilla Pirat www.lillapiratforlaget.se Rights Lilla Pirat linda@lillapiratforlaget.se Selected Works Spyflugan Astrid Picture Book 2007 Morris badar (together with Lotta Olsson, text) Picture Book 2005 Kajsa gillar (together with Petter Lidbeck, text) Picture Book 2003 Literary Prizes Elsa Beskow-plaketten 2015 Ottilia Adelborgpriset 2010 Bokjuryns pris 2008 Photo: Jockum Klenell