Sven Nordqvist

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

Pettson Goes Camping, 2008 Martin Peterson translation of Pettson tältar.

In this sixth picture-book devoted to the madcap misadventures of grouchy farmer Pettson, and his finicky feline companion, Findus, Swedish children's author Sven Nordqvist depicts the dynamic duo as they embark on an epic camping trip that leads them to... their own garden! Of course they had intended to get a little further afield, but when you're being pursued by a determined flock of hens, with no intention of show more being left behind, staying close to home becomes the least ridiculous option. Still, a brief fishing foray to the local lake, where Pettson tries out his new invention - a bow-and-arrow fishing rod - and Findus becomes convinced that there is a monster pike haunting the area, does provide some excitement, and a fun, phantom-filled night follows, with the obligatory visit by neighbor Gustavsson the next morn...

Originally published in Swedish as Pettson tältar, this is the third Nordqvist title I have read, where I have been able to compare two different English translations - this edition done by Martin Peterson for Bokförlaget Opal in 2008, and an American translation (Festus and Mercury Go Camping) from 1993 - and my conclusion is the same as it was in those earlier cases: the fuller English translation available from Opal is much to be preferred to the somewhat abridged American edition. Of course, there is a third English version available - the British translation, Findus Goes Camping, done in 2010 - but I was unable to track that down. For a more detailed description of the differences between the Opal and American editions, see my review of Festus and Mercury Go Camping.

Leaving that issue aside, this was just a delightful tale, as always, with the humor I have come to expect from Nordqvist's celebrated human/feline pair (the dangerous 'sausage!' Haha!), and the same sense of warmhearted humanity, carefully buried under a crusty exterior (Petsson sleeping out with the frightened Findus). The artwork is as detailed as ever, and will keep young readers glued to the page. In short: highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a story with an offbeat sense of humor, and madcap antics. show less

Originally published in Swedish as När Findus var liten och försvann, this ninth installment of Sven Nordqvist's marvelous series of picture-books about grumpy farmer Pettson, and his quirky cat companion, Findus, is actually only the seventh I have been able to obtain and read, the seventh and eighth books (Tomtemaskinen and Tuppens minut, respectively) being unavailable, as far as I'm aware, in English. A prequel of sorts, When Findus was Little and Disappeared tells the story of how show more Findus first came to live with Pettson, as a young kitten (as well as how he got his name!), and also fills in some information about the little creatures that run around Pettson's house (unseen by him) throughout the series.

With plenty of that distinctive humor one has come to expect from Nordqvist, but also a heartwarming element of sweetness that was quite unexpected, I think When Findus was Little and Disappeared might be one of my favorite entries in the series. The artwork is as engaging as ever, with its wealth of details and amusing visual effects (I like the way Nordqvist portrays the direction of Pettson's gaze at times, with the pupils seen in his glasses, rather than behind them), and the story is immensely satisfying, for the reader who has come to care about these characters. I was quite pleased, moreover, to discover something about the little muckles that only Findus can see, not the least of which - what these tiny creatures were called!

All in all, another wonderful book, in a wonderful series (I know, I know, I'm starting to sound like a broken record). I only wish that more of these stories had been translated, as I've now reached the end of the available titles in English. Ah well... I can always reread, I guess! show less

(English below.)

So wunderschön!!
Die Zeichnungen bzw. Gemälde sind mit so viel Liebe kreiert worden, was mich als Künstler selbst wärmt.
Außerdem sind auf manchen Seiten teilweise ganze Wimmelbilder – alas, so viele Details!
Man könnte stundenlang drauf starren und danach trotzdem das Gefühl haben, man hätte noch etwas übersehen.

Die Idee mit dem Rucksack ist auch sehr super. Zwar nicht unbedingt was neues, aber dafür nicht weniger unterhaltsam. Schließlich weiß man nicht show more immer, was der Junge als nächstes vom Rucksack bekommt oder wie es ihm aus der Patsche hilft! Und es funktioniert als Plotidee.

Genial auch, dass Sven nicht am Ende preisgibt, wie der Junge überhaupt an den Ort gekommen ist. War es ein Traum? Aber wie ist er dann an den Rucksack gekommen? Das gibt guten Gesprächsstoff für nachher, muntert die Kinder nicht nur auf, es noch einmal zu lesen, sondern auch Theorien auszudenken – und Kreatives Denken sollte man ja schon im frühen Alter fördern.
Dadurch, dass der Protagonist durch gefühlt die ganze Welt reist, auch wenn es eine Fantasywelt ist (oder ist es das?), trifft er auf verschiedene Kulturen, die sicherlich von unseren inspiriert wurden – aus der Gegenwart, sowie Vergangenheit. Vielleicht macht es das ein oder andere Kind neugierig und bestimmt eure nächste Urlaubsreise. ;)

Gerade für Leute – ob jung oder alt, klein oder groß –, die mit Pettersson und Findus aufgewachsen sind, sollten auch das wenigstens durchblättern! Abenteuerlich, spaßig, und der Zeichenstil verleiht Nostalgie.

Die Geschichte an sich mag nichts Legendäres oder Neues sein, aber die Bilder sind es definitiv wert! Glaubt mir, ihr könnt euch total verirren in manchen Seiten, genau wie unser Protagonist. Den text an sich hatte ich in ungefähr 5 Minuten durch, aber auf die Bilder hab ich locker eine Stunde gestarrt. (Und war auf der Suche nach Easter-Eggs, hehe. Ich finde, der eine U-Boot-Fahrer sieht ein bisschen wie Pettersson aus!)

~

Vielen lieben Dank an den Verlag Oetinger, mir ein Rezensionsexemplar zuzuschicken! Hat mich sehr gefreut.
Gerade weil die meisten anderen in der Leserunde sich als Elternteil mit ihren Kindern beworben haben, hab ich es für mein eigenes inneres Kind gelesen. Wenn mich meine kleinen Cousins aber mal wieder besuchen oder ich sie, zeige ich denen das Buch ganz bestimmt. ;)

-25.11.23

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So wonderful!!
The drawings/paintings are created with so much love, which warms my heart as an artist.
Also, some pages are so detailed, they're pretty much wimmel-pictures!
You could stare at them for hours, and still feel like, afterwards, that you've missed something.

The idea with the rucksack is also nice. Not really anything new, but no less entertaining either. After all, you don't always know what the boy might get from the rucksack next time or how it'll help him in crucial situations! It just works, as a plot idea.

It's also genius that Sven doesn't reveal how the boy even got there. Was it a dream? But how did he get the rucksack then? That serves as a good conversation topic for later, and encourages kids to not only read it again, but also think of theories – and Creative Thinking should be practiced early on already.
Because the protagonist travels through pretty much the whole world, even though it's a fantasy one (or is it?), he meets different cultures, who are very likely inspired by our own – from present and past. Maybe one of your kids will get curious, and plan your next vacation. ;)

Especially for people – old or young, big or small –, who grew up with Pettersson and Findus, should at least flip through this! Adventurous, fun, and the art style fills you with nostalgia.

The story itself might not be anything legendary or new, but the pictures are definitely worth it! Believe me when I say, you can totally get lost in some pages, just like the protagonist.
The text itself I finished in around 5 minutes, but took at least an hour, staring at the pictures! (And was on a search for easter eggs. I think the submarine owner looks like Pettersson!)

~

Many thanks to the publisher Oetinger, for sending me a review copy! Made me very happy.
Especially because almost everyone else in the reading round applied as a parent with their kids, while I read it for my inner child.
If my little cousins should visit me again or I visit them, I'll for sure show them the book, though. ;)

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