Sven Nordqvist

The Fox Hunt, 1988 American translation of Rävjakten.

In this second picture-book chronicling their madcap adventures, Swedish children's author and artist Sven Nordqvist returns to the story of farmer Pettson, and his cat Findus (Festus and Mercury in this American translation), setting out the extraordinarily convoluted plot they hatch, when a thieving fox begins targeting hens in their area. Alerted by neighbor Hiram (Gustavsson in the original), to the presence of their vulpine show more adversary, the two decide that it is better to outwit a fox, than shoot him. So begins a campaign to frighten the fox away, complete with pepper-filled 'hen,' fireworks, and a flying ghost!

Engaging enough, when read on its own, this American version of Rävjakten pales in comparison to the fuller translation available in the version (also entitled The Fox Hunt) put out in 2000 by the original Swedish publisher, Bokförlaget Opal. (There was also a British translation released in 2009, Findus and the Fox, but I was unable to track down a copy of that version). Just as with the first Pettson and Findus title, I have discovered that the fuller English translation available from Opal is much to be preferred to the somewhat abridged American edition, which leaves out many of the pointed little social observations of the original, as well as a number of humorous exchanges between man and cat.

To wit: in the Rollerson translation (presumably closer to the original), Findus observes: "Old men with guns I don't trust an inch," which has Pettson laughing. In the (uncredited) American translation, the cat instead says: "I wouldn't trust that old man with a gun," limiting the nature of Findus' (Mercury here) objection to one individual. Similarly, in the Rollerson, Findus declares: "Foxes should not be shot. They should be tricked." whereas he claims in the American edition that "I never shoot a fox when I can trick him instead." This first statement is an argument for one course of action, rather than another, while the second is more conditional. Later in the story, after Pettson/Festus catches sight of the fox, and is moved by his emaciation, and obvious fright, he thinks (in Rollerson): "Perhaps that's why he steals hens... He hasn't the strength to catch up with a hare." - two sentences that are entirely missing from the American text! Another omission, in the American version, is the exchange in which Findus claims only to be thinking of the hens, and Pettson humors him (while clearly thinking otherwise).

The cumulative effect of these seemingly minor omissions and changes, is a narrative that has less bite, and less social commentary. I couldn't help but wonder, as I read through, whether the unnamed American translator was afraid of offending more conservative American readers, by offering too sharp a critique of things like hunting, and the use of guns. Even minor changes - the scene in which the fireworks explode has the phrase "bombs bursting in air" in the American edition (clearly a reference to the American national anthem), that is missing from the more accurate Rollerson; the warning shouted by Findus is changed from "You Must Not Steal Hens," to the more Biblical sounding "Thou Shalt Not Steal Hens - contributed to this impression. I think this is a shame, because part of the appeal of translated children's literature, at least for me, is the opportunity it affords to expose young readers to other cultures, and their way of thinking. Of course, all translation is both a cultural and linguistic negotiation, but I can't help but feel that the American editions of these books are too American in their leaning, and not enough Swedish. They're still worth reading - and when I didn't have the other translation to contrast and compare, as with Merry Christmas, Festus and Mercury and Festus and Mercury: Wishing to Go Fishing, I enjoyed them more - but I'd still recommend the Opal translations above them. Or, you could be obsessive-compulsive like me, and track as many different versions down as possible! show less

Swedish picture-book creator extraordinaire, Sven Nordqvist, who is responsible for that marvelous series of tales about the farmer Pettson and his feline companion Findus, turns his attention to the subject of the tomten, the little, gnome-like creatures said to guard the farms of Sweden, in this entertaining holiday title. When the farm family forget to set out Papa Tomte's Christmas porridge, as is traditional, kindhearted Mama Tomte foresees a bad year ahead for everyone, and kicks into show more action to prevent a crisis. She and her two children set out to steal the necessary porridge, so that Papa never suspects he has been disrespected, and never takes his ire out on the hapless (and forgetful) farm family. A madcap adventure ensues, one which reminds the human family of the existence of their tomtes, and leaves Papa content...

Originally published in Sweden as Julgröten, this wonderfully engaging Christmas tale is one that I had to wait a long time to read! Somehow, every time I went to request it at the library, where they own just the one copy, there was a long waiting list for it. This year I just decided to add myself to the list, and read it whenever it came to me, even if Christmas had already passed. I'm glad that I did, as The Tomtes' Christmas Pudding is a charming picture-book, one which pairs an entertaining and ultimately heartwarming story with detailed, appealing artwork. I'm a huge fan of the Pettson och Findus series, so I fully expected to enjoy this one. That said, given my mixed reactions to the publisher, Floris Books', translations, I was a bit surprised to find the narrative itself so pleasing. Perhaps if I had another version with which to compare it, I would find, much as I did when comparing the American translations of the Pettson och Findus books with other English versions, that it was lacking. In the absence of other such translations however, I can simply say that Polly Lawson has produced an appealing text here.

With regard to the artwork, I was charmed to see that the farm cat, seen in many of the illustrations here, bore a strong resemblance to Findus - that was a nice touch! I thought it was interesting that Nordqvist chose to depict the human family here in a historical setting, and I found myself wondering whether this indicated that the custom being depicted in the story - leaving out the Christmas porridge for the farm's tomten - was now considered old-fashioned. I also thought it was interesting that the children were waiting on Father Christmas, as I thought the Swedish gift-giver at this time of year was the Christmas Goat, as seen in Elsa Beskow's marvelous Peter and Lotta's Christmas. Perhaps that too is an older tradition, no longer observed as much? I wish I knew! Leaving these questions aside, this was just a delightfully magical Christmas tale, one I would recommend to fans of tomte tales, and to those readers looking for enchanted holiday fare. show less

When Grandpa wakes up one day and discovers that the hat which he wears at all times (save when sleeping) is missing, his first impulse is to question his determinedly lazy dog, Lightning, who coolly informs that he (Lightning) is a pet, not a guard. Setting off to question his neighbors, from Mrs. Hen to Tailor Button-Up (not to mention the mysterious "Someone," who remains anonymous throughout), Grandpa finds himself collecting vaguely familiar objects - a tin soldier, a piece of watch show more chain, a pen-knife, a magnet, and a whistle - as he goes, eventually recalling a magical day from his far-off youth. Suddenly, as he recalls the hedgehog for which he bargained with his favorite possessions - these very objects which have somehow come back to him - his missing hat doesn't seem so important...

Originally published in Swedish as Hattjakten, this humorous picture-book from the creator of the popular Findus and Pettson tales, is fairly unusual, in my experience, in that it features an elderly character whose story in no way involves a child, whether grand-child or neighbor. I find that refreshing, particularly in this case, as the narrative concludes with Grandpa's return to youth (at least in memory), and his realization that he still has plenty of life in him. This idea - that sometimes older people start to get set in their ways, and forget that they too can change and grow - will probably be a new one for many young readers, who may (quite naturally) never have thought about the experience of getting older. Of course, The Hat Hunt is also just a fun story! show less

Merry Christmas, Festus and Mercury, 1989 American translation of Pettson får julbesök.

Originally published in Swedish as Pettson får julbesök, this fourth picture-book devoted to the adventures of farmer Pettson and his cat Findus (Festus and Mercury in this American translation) is a heartwarming holiday tale that highlights the importance of community, while also capturing the quirky individuality of its human and feline heroes. When Festus is injured while out cutting fir branches to show more decorate the front door for the holidays, and can't get to the store to buy supplies, or to the woods to cut a tree, it looks like Christmas will be a very grim one indeed! Thankfully, a young neighbor boy named Axel stops by, and learning of the problem, alerts all of the other neighbors, who descend upon Festus and Mercury in an impromptu party, making it a very merry Christmas after all.

Unlike the first Pettson and Findus title, which I read in two different English translations - one, Pancake Pie, an American edition, and the other, The Birthday Cake, done by the original Swedish publisher - I was only able to obtain this American version of Pettson får julbesök. Given my feelings about the translations listed above, one of which (The Birthday Cake) was far more comprehensive than the other, I have reason to suspect that Merry Christmas, Festus and Mercury is somewhat abridged. Still, in the absence of any other edition with which I might compare it (I don't read Swedish, and Findus at Christmas isn't due out until this coming October), I enjoyed this book immensely!

The artwork is just as detailed and humorous as the first book (I haven't yet tracked down the second), and the story just as satisfying. Pettson and Findus (sorry, Festus and Mercury here) are engaging characters, and their madcap antics make for fun reading. I liked that the sharpness of their characters, and the pointed humor of their interaction, isn't blunted by the goodhearted theme of neighborly care at Christmas, but that the two strands of the story exist side-by-side. All in all, a sweet little holiday tale, and more than enough to convince me to continue with my Sven Nordqvist extravaganza! show less