The Astrid Lindgren Reading Group discussion

I'm Gundula (one of the moderators, and a bit unsure of myself, as I have never been a moderator before). This group was started by my GR friend Suna (your fellow moderator) to highlight the wonderful children's literature of Astrid Lindgren (in whatever translation etc.). I've loved Astrid Lindgren's wonderful children's novels, fairy tales and stories ever since I was a child (and I still reread many of them repeatedly and continuously, both in German and in English). One of my goals is to sometime in the near future learn how to read Swedish, so that I can read Lindgren in the original.

Please introduce yourself, and please feel free to start a new topic (themes, ideas for topics, reading clubs etc.). By the way, it would be good if members NOT click on the new "this is a discussion" question box when starting a new thread. It really does not work well and hopefully will be removed soon or at least be optional in groups. Let's just say that it does not foster discussion, just confusion, and is better left alone (in my opinion at least).

Hej Alla! Hello Everyone!

I'm Suna, avid Astrid Lindgren reader and your fellow moderator...

Having grown up in the Netherlands I know Astrid Lindgren's books from their translations in Dutch, which I treasured and re-read over and over again.
The books came to vivid life for me during some summers spent in Scandinavia and roaming the Swedish countryside I knew so very well from the Emil, Saltkrakan and Madicken books.

I have moved all over the world since and have lost most of my original collection; I had them all and mourn their loss deeply!

It's erratic but I'm in the process of learning Swedish so I'm hoping to read her work in the original in the near future.

Gundula has read most of the books in German, so eventually I hope to be able to divide our bookshelves by language.

I really look forward to comparing translations, discussing censorship (we've already had a rant about this elsewhere!), and best of all, sharing our love for someone whom I consider to be one of the most important voices in childrens' literature the world over.

Hi Abigail and Gundula! Nice to see you're here and in Gundula's case, I look forward to sharing the moderating, I'm none too experienced myself!...^^

Abigail wrote: "My name is Abigail, and I have a great love for, and interest in children's literature, including the work of Astrid Lindgren. I've only read her books in English translation, but I do own three of..."

Good idea, Abigail, I will announce the new group in the Children's Literature group, although, computer unsavvy me does not know how to post a link to the group, sigh.

Abigail wrote: "Gundula wrote: "Good idea, Abigail, I will announce the new group in the Children's Literature group, although, computer unsavvy me does not know how to post a link to the group, sigh..."

Just cop..."

Thanks, I will give it a try. I should have been able to figure that out myself :-)

Hah, I have yet to work out umlauts, french accents grave and tegu and how to make a link the title of a book, rather than having it show up as Http//:www etcteras.

Guess I better learn now I'm a grown up moderator...

Abigaiiiiiil??!

Fantastic, thank you so, so much!

By the way, I found a line in one of my book reviews, which sums up Astrid Lindgren prefectly for me:

Astrid Lindgren is my reading fairy godmother, my patron saint of the bookshelf.

I'd forgotten I wrote that, but it's true: I think she is the sole reason I love reading so much.
I learned to read at a very early age but having Lindgren's books read to me and then reading them myself really set me properly on the path towards books.

Abigail wrote: "You're welcome! One other tip: if you want this welcome thread to stay at the top of the folder, click on the 'edit' link next to the thread title, and click the little box to mark this thread as "..."

Thanks, I will try to do that. Hmm, we might end up asking you a whole slew of questions Abigail. I hope you don't mind.

Thanks for the invitation the group! :)

I have also grown up with Astrid Lindgren's books (and admittedly the tv adaptations, too) and feel very at home in her literary world. Also being to Sweden several times has intensified that bond.

I must confess I have my favorites amongst her books and stories and others I hardly care for (probably because I never read them, when I was a child), but I'm willing to have a look at those, too. ;-)

Hello Freddy, nice to meet you!

You wrote: I must confess I have my favorites amongst her books and stories and others I hardly care for (probably because I never read them, when I was a child)...


That's part of what I'm hoping will come out of this group: That the lesser known books, or the books we have a lesser connection with, will become part of us, too.

It will be intriguing to see what the impact of the adult reading of more obscure books will have, versus the childhood gems!

Thanks for the invite, Suna! I'm embarrassed to admit I've never read any of her stuff, but I do own Pippi Longstocking, unread. May be the kick in the pants I need to get reading.

Hi - Thanks for the invitation Gundula. All I've read are her Pippi series-when I was in grammar school, I was called "Pippi" after the series!

Ellie wrote: "Hi - Thanks for the invitation Gundula. All I've read are her Pippi series-when I was in grammar school, I was called "Pippi" after the series!"

I hope you enjoy this group, and maybe get some new reading ideas.

Hello! I'm Ronyell! Thanks for the group invite Gundula!! I have read Pippi Longstocking and I just fell in love with that book!! I hope to read more translations from Astrid Lindgren and more books from her!

Hello, Ceridwen, Ellie and Ronyell,

Welcome to the group! As soon as I wade my way through my other reading commitments I'm hoping to start reading some Lindgren and to be able to add some thoughts...:)

Hi Ronyell

Hi I'm Brenda. Thank you for the invite Gundula! I hope to get a few new reading ideas as I have only read Pippi, but really love the book.

Brenda wrote: "Hi I'm Brenda. Thank you for the invite Gundula! I hope to get a few new reading ideas as I have only read Pippi, but really love the book."

Hi everyone who has just joined. I hope you have fun exploring and getting reading ideas, and I hope that my huge add-on to the bookshelves was/is not daunting, I just think the bookshelves are a good place to check for books to read etc.

Hey Suna and Ellie!!

Hey Ronyell :D
This is definitely the "happening" place to be!

Hi, I just join the group, hope it's okay.. haha...

I really love the Astrid Lindgren books, and I've seen all the adaption and when I was little, my family used to go to Astrid Lindgrens Värld (World).

I still wish I could go there, but I moved from Sweden half a year ago to Malta. Plus, my boyfriend doesn't like Astrid Lindgren :(

Usagi wrote: "Hi, I just join the group, hope it's okay.. haha...

I really love the Astrid Lindgren books, and I've seen all the adaption and when I was little, my family used to go to Astrid Lindgrens Värld (..."

Welcome to the group!! Too bad your boyfriend does not like Astrid Lindgren.

My mother used to date a Swedish journalist so we went to Sweden often.
I adored Astrid Lindgren's Värld, though I must admit I was disturbed by Emil in the shadowy woodshed...!

I am from Australia but my ancestors were Swedish and I share Astrids name. I am not directly related to Astrid Lindgren but it is fun to work In a school library and tell my students my "aunt" wrote Pippi! (not true).

There are worse literary kinships to claim for certain. ^^

Hi-I am Ivan from Bulgaria.In my childhood I read Pippi more than 5 times and always I have found it so,so funny and nice.Now as an adult I think this book is so,so good tool for education and everybody can learn something about him/herself whilst reading it.I recommend it as a book every kid must read to my friends who have kids :)