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Home , Astrid Lindgren, Ilon Wikland, Miffy, The Neverending Story, Tove Jansson

NORTHERN EUROPEAN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE Writing & Global Cultures Flags / Spring 2018

Sandra Ballif Straubhaar

MWF 1:00-2:00 / BUR 337

GSD 340 / 37765 EUS 347 / 35930 CL 323 / 32300

Course Description:

This course will introduce students to nineteenth- to twenty-first-century children’s literature from Norway, , Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, , and the . Authors highlighted will include Heinrich Hoffmann (Struwwelpeter), Wilhelm Busch (Max and Moritz), Astrid (, Ronja the Robber’s Daughter, The Red Bird, The Brothers Lionheart), Erich Kästner (Emil and the Detectives), (Miffy), Jostein Gaarder (Sophie’s World), Bjarne Reuter (The Boys from St. Petri), (Finn Family Moomintroll), Otfried Preussler (The Robber Hotzenplotz, Krabat), Walter Moers (Capt’n Bluebear), Cornelia Funke (Inkworld, Mirrorworld), Sven Nordqvist (Pancakes for Findus), (Momo, Jim Button, The Neverending Story), Jacques Vriens (You’re a Hen!), Annie M. G. Schmidt and Fiep Westendorp (Jip and Janneke), and Klaus Schädelin (My Name is Eugen). Students are encouraged to explore additional authors and works for papers or group projects. Emphasis will be placed on the prominent place of children’s literature in the popular culture of central and northern Europe, as well as the serious issues and themes which north Americans might otherwise consider “adult” that are often found in this genre -- death, war, poverty, social justice, and family conflict, for example – alongside whimsy, warmth and wonder.

Grading:

Quizzes on Reading (on most Mondays, when readings are due): 10 % Two six-page reaction papers or position papers, 15% each: 30 % In-class peer review activities on the above two papers: 10 % One six-page research paper: 20 % Reading Journals (turned in 8 times, approx. every other Wednesday): 15 % One three- to five-page group project w/Power Point (groups of 3-4): 15 %

Books:

Packet: Available at Jenn’s Copy, 2518 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705 (corner of Dean Keeton & Guadalupe, west side). Other Books: Each student is required to obtain at least 4 additional books via personal purchase or library loan. Titles will vary, of course. The only requirement is that they must be written by central/northern European authors for children/young adult readers. Readings from these books (plus materials from books and movies shared in class) will provide raw material for your papers/projects/presentations/reading journals.

Don’t worry about the entries in the Packet that are in languages you can’t read. Do read them if you do know those languages. The point of most of the Packet Readings (the primary-source ones, in other words, which are excerpts from novels and picture books aimed at youth and young-adult audiences) is to act as teasers – like movie trailers -- so you can pick your reading/researching/writing topics. HOWEVER, ---- Whether or not you decide to further investigate any single author or book based on any given Packet Reading, do read all the ones in English at least. We’ll be discussing all of the work(s) and author(s) included in each Packet Reading in class, on Mondays and Wednesdays. NOTE: You can find the various Packet Readings for each Monday by consulting the Table of Contents in the front of the Packet. They are separated out in the Table of Contents according to these categories: Secondary sources; Primary Sources: Realism; Primary Sources: Fantasy and so forth. (The extra Lindgren material at the end is for those students who will choose to research and write about in particular. Song words are included because songs are an integral part of so many of her stories. Most of the songs can be listened to on the Web, on YouTube and other places.)

1. Wed Jan 17. Introduction to the Class. Reading: Heinrich Hoffmann, Struwwelpeter. Germany, 1845.

2. Fri Jan 19. Movie clips: Shockheaded Peter (The Tiger Lilies, 1998).

3. Mon Jan 22. Packet Readings due: “Short Talk With a Prospective Children’s Writer,” by Astrid Lindgren (The Horn Book, 1973). Astrid Lindgren surrounded by her creations. “Children’s Literature in Sweden,” by Boel Westin (1991). Quiz.

4. Wed Jan 24. Picture Book Reading: Wilhelm Busch, Max and Moritz. Germany, 1865. Reading journals due (to be posted on Canvas™). These are intended to include reactions to / ideas about: readings due, films viewed, and class discussions.

5. Fri Jan 26. Movie clips: Karlsson on the Roof. Sweden/USSR, 1970s.

6. Mon Jan 29. Packet Readings due: Emil and the Detectives, by Erich Kästner (1929, Germany). Tintin in America by Hergé (Georges Remi) (1945, Belgium). (2017): Tove Jansson. Quiz.

7. Wed Jan 31. Picture Book Reading: Astrid Lindgren, Most Beloved Sister. Sweden, 1949. (Illustrated by Hans Arnold in 1973.) Topics for your first six-page reaction paper or position paper must be cleared with me by today.

8. Fri Feb 2. Movie Screening: Emil i Lönneberga. Sweden, 1971. (There’s a clip from Lindgren’s Emil stories in the Packet, not due until 2/26, but you can take a look at it ahead of time for prep, if you’d like.)

9. Mon Feb 5. Packet Readings due: , written and illustrated by Tove Jansson (1946, Finland). The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by (1947, Sweden). Finn Family Moomintroll, written and illustrated by Tove Jansson (1948, Finland). Quiz.

10. Wed Feb 7. Picture Book Reading: Tove Jansson, The Book About Moomin, Mymble and . Finland, 1952. Reading journals due (posted on Canvas™).

11. Fri Feb 9. Movie Screening (partial): Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter. Sweden, 1984. First six-page reaction paper or position paper DUE TODAY.

12. Mon Feb 12. Packet Readings due: Pippi in the South Seas by Astrid Lindgren (1948, Sweden). Lena Törnqvist writes about Ingrid Vang Nyman’s illustrations for Pippi and Karlsson. Moominpappa’s Memoirs, written and illustrated by Tove Jansson (1950 and 1968 [revised and expanded], Finland). Ole Aleksander Filibom-bom-bom by Anne- Cath. Vestly, illustrated by Johan Vestly (1953, Norway). In Norwegian. There will be a quiz (not including Vestly).

13. Wed Feb 14. Picture Book Reading: Annie M. G. Schmidt and Fiep Westendorp, Jip and Janneke. Netherlands, 1953. In-class peer review activities on student papers.

14. Fri Feb 16. Movie Screening (partial): The Children of Noisy Village. Sweden, 1986.

15. Mon Feb 19. Packet Readings due: Mio, my Son by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Ilon Wikland (1954, Sweden). Mein Name ist Eugen, by Klaus Schädelin, illustrated by Rudolf Schnyder (1955, Switzerland). In German. When the Robbers Came to Cardamom Town by Thorbjørn Egner (1955, Norway). In Norwegian. Quiz (not including Schädein or Egner).

16. Wed Feb 21. Picture Book Reading: Astrid Lindgren, The Red Bird. Sweden, 1959. (Illustrated by Marit Törnqvist in 2003.) First half: up to “. . .and they walked through the door.” Reading journals due (posted on Canvas™).

17. Fri Feb 23. Movie Screening (partial): The Land of Faraway. Sweden/USSR, 1987. (Featuring a twelve-year-old Christian Bale as the hero’s sidekick.) Topics for your second six-page reaction paper or position paper must be cleared with me by today.

18. Mon Feb 26. Packet Readings due: Rasmus and the Vagabond by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Eric Palmquist (1956, Sweden). Moominland Midwinter, written and illustrated by Tove Jansson (1957, Finland). The Red Bird by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Ilon Wikland (1959, Sweden). (In Swedish, but we read it in English in class, so not to worry.) Seacrow Island by Astrid Lindgren (1964, Sweden). Emil’s Pranks by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Björn Berg (1966, Sweden). Quiz.

19. Wed Feb 28. Picture Book Reading: Otfried Preussler, The Robber Hotzenplotz. Germany, 1962. First two chapters only.

20. Fri Mar 2. Movie Screening (partial): The Neverending Story. Germany/USA, 1984.

21. Mon Mar 5. Packet Readings due: People Magazine (1984): Michael Ende. Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver by Michael Ende (1960, Germany). The Glassblower’s Children by , illustrated by Harald Gripe (1964, Sweden). Quiz. Second six-page reaction paper or position paper DUE TODAY.

22. Wed Mar 7. Reading journals due (posted on Canvas™).

Fri Mar 9. Independent Movie Screening: Watch ON YOUR OWN a central- or northern- European movie (one that we won’t be watching in class) based on a children’s or young adult book. Clear your title with me beforehand. Report due after the break – to be included under Reading Journals.

SPRING BREAK

23. Mon Mar 19. Packet Readings due: Krabat and the Sorcerer’s Mill, by Otfried Preussler (Germany, 1971). Krabat by Otfried Preussler (Germany, 1971). Same sample as the above, in German. The Boys from St. Petri by Bjarne Reuter (1991, Denmark).

24. Wed Mar 21. Picture Book Reading: Dick Bruna, Miffy. Netherlands, 1963. Pick colleague groups for Group Projects with Power Point™. Brainstorm about topics. In-class peer review activities on student papers.

25. Fri Mar 23. Movie Screening (partial): The Thief Lord. Germany, 2005.

26. Mon Mar 26. Packet Readings due: “The Secret History of Cricket Magazine,” by A. J. O’Connell (2017). Ilon Wikland on her inspirations for her Ronja illustrations: “I met my robbers on the Metro” (1981). The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Ilon Wikland (1973, Sweden). (Text sample in English from the beginning, with illustrations from the Swedish edition interspersed.) Quiz.

27. Wed Mar 28. Picture Book Reading: Sven Nordqvist, Pancakes for Findus. Sweden, 1985. Reading journals due (posted on Canvas™).

28. Fri Mar 30. Movie Screening (partial): My Name is Eugen. Switzerland, 2005.

29. Mon Apr 2. Packet Readings due: Die unendliche Geschichte by Michael Ende (1979, Germany). (In German. The English edition is easy to find. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll recognize this scene! And heeeere it is [below]. Do take a look at it. We’ll talk about how it’s different from the book.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT4FFQ3Ugfc Quiz (totally passable by non-German-speakers).

30. Wed Apr 4. Picture Book Reading: Jacques Vriens and Henk Kneepkens, You’re a Hen! Netherlands, 2015.

31. Fri Apr 6. Movie Screening (partial): Pitbull-Terje. Norway, 2005.

32. Mon Apr 9. Packet Readings due: The Independent (2015): Jostein Gaarder. Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder (1991, Norway). Quiz. POWER POINTS for group projects due to me on this day.

33. Wed Apr 11. Two or Three Student Presentations: Group Projects with Power Point. Q & A and discussion between presenters and the rest of the class. Reading journals due (posted on Canvas™). Talk about Final Research Paper.

34. Fri Apr 13. Movie Screening (partial): . Germany, 2007.

35. Mon Apr 16. Packet Readings due: The 13 ½ Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers (1999, Germany). Quiz. Last chance to clear topics with me for your final Research Paper.

36. Wed Apr 18. Two or Three Student Presentations: Group Projects with Power Point. Q & A and discussion between presenters and the rest of the class.

37. Fri Apr 20. Movie Screening (partial): Krabat.. Germany, 2008.

38. Mon Apr 23. Packet Readings due: Scholastic (2005): Cornelia Funke. Inkdeath, written and illustrated by Cornelia Funke (2007, Germany and U.S.A.). Quiz.

39. Wed Apr 25. Two or Three Student Presentations: Group Projects with Power Point. Q & A and discussion between presenters and the rest of the class. Reading journals due (posted on Canvas™).

40. Fri Apr 27. Movie Screening (partial): Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter. Sweden/, 2014.

41. Mon Apr 30. Packet Readings due: Review of Reckless I (Cornelia Funke) by S. B. Straubhaar (2011). Reckless I, written and illustrated by Cornelia Funke (2010 and 2016, Germany and U.S.A.). Reckless II, written and illustrated by Cornelia Funke (2012 and 2016, Germany and U.S.A.). Reckless III, written and illustrated by Cornelia Funke (2015 and 2016, Germany and U.S.A.). Die Feder eines Greifs, written and illustrated by Cornelia Funke. (2016, Germany and U.S.A.). Sequel to Drachenreiter (Dragon Rider). (In German.) Quiz.

42. Wed May 2. Two or Three Student Presentations: Group Projects with Power Point. Q & A and discussion between presenters and the rest of the class.

43. Fri May 4. LAST CLASS DAY. Six-page Research Paper due. NO FINAL.