International Swedish Classics and Contemporary Voices
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SWEDISH BOOKS FOR YOUNG International Swedish Classics and READERS Contemporary Voices Ut i natten. Marcus Gunnar Pettersson Cropped illustration From The Magical Dust (see page 6) Welcome! This publication is for those of you who are interested in publishing Swedish children’s and YA literature, but aren’t quite sure where to get started. It’s also for you if you have already published something Swedish, but would like to do more. And if you’re simply curious? Well, it’s for you too. Within these pages are a selection of titles taken from the treasure chest of Swedish children’s and YA literature. The authors presented here have already been translated into a number of languages and have reached readers in different parts of the world. Each writer is presented via a brief introduction and examples of their books that have been published in translation. For each book, details of the original publisher and representation are included. At the very back you’ll find the contact details for these Swedish children’s and YA publishers and agents, as well as information about the grants that you can apply to us for. Good hunting! Susanne Bergström Larsson, Head of Swedish Literature Exchange, Swedish Arts Council Note: The selection is based on nominations from Swedish agents and publishers who sell international rights relating to Swedish children’s and YA literature. They were invited to nominate a number of authors and books that have already been disseminated internationally. In order to ensure an even spread of publishers and agents, genres and age categories, a team at the Swedish Arts Council then made the final selection from the nominations. 3 Emma Adbåge 4 Gunilla Bergström 5 Elsa Beskow 6 Stefan Casta 7 Sara B. Elfgren 8 Maria Gripe 9 Anna Höglund 10 Jenny Jägerfeld 11 Emma Karinsdotter 12 Rose Lagercrantz 13 Lena & Olof Landström 14 Åsa Lind 15 Pija Lindenbaum 16 Astrid Lindgren 17 Barbro Lindgren 18 Eva Lindström 19 Sara Lundberg 20 Frida Nilsson 21 Moni Nilsson 22 Per Nilsson 23 Ulf Nilsson 24 Sven Nordqvist 25 Kristina Ohlsson 26 Lena Sjöberg 27 Pernilla Stalfelt 28 Ulf Stark 29 Mats Strandberg 30 Johanna Thydell 31 Anna-Clara & Thomas Tidholm 32 Jakob Wegelius 33 Martin Widmark 34 Jujja Wieslander 36 Stina Wirsén 3 Swedish Books for Young Readers Emma AdbÅge The Hole Behind The Gym, Photo: Richard Gustafsson Richard Photo: picture book, 2018, Rabén & Sjögren Rights: Raben & Sjögren Agency A life-affirming tribute to the joy of free play, without concern for certified sandpits or health and safety regulations. The book uses great humour and superb imagery to show that imaginations thrive in untouched spaces. In 2018 it won the August Prize. The Grand Expedition, picture book, 2016, Lilla Piratförlaget Rights: Lilla Piratförlaget When going on an expedition it is good to have a backpack of important things. But when the pickles are gone and the mosquitos come out, what’s to be done? The Castle, picture book, 2019, Lilla Piratförlaget Rights: Lilla Piratförlaget A comic story with lots of recognition about the feeling of giving something that you rather would have kept yourself. But also about having something that someone else desires… We Find Crumbert, picture book, 2019, Rabén & Sjögren Emma Adbåge’s stories and illustrations make Rights: Raben & Sjögren Agency everyday emotions and experiences both During a day at the beach, Bert immediately recognisable and richly interesting. finds a beetle in the sand, names Both her stories and her drawings are observant, him Crumbert and builds him a succinct, humorous and perceptive. Her illustrations, great big sandcastle. But when with their carefully drawn lines and gentle colours, it is time to move in, Crumbert is dead and Bert is devastated. combine small details with characters whose bodily postures and facial expressions give a clear insight into what they think and feel. She has won several awards, including the August Prize, Elsa Beskow Plaque and the Lennart Hellsing Prize. Swedish Books for Young Readers 4 GUNILLA BERGSTRÖM The Alfie Atkins Series, picture books, 1972-2012, Rabén & Sjögren Rights: Rabén & Sjögren Agency Good Night, Alfie Atkins, 1972 Good night and sleep tight! Dad says. Alfie gets a hug and the light goes out. But Alfie doesn’t want to sleep. Now Dad has to fetch a glass of water and look for lions in the closet. And Alfie must have his teddy bear ...The book was the first in the series, and has never been out of print since 1972. It is considered a modern children’s book classics. Very Tricky, Alfie Atkins, 1973 “May I have the toolbox?” Alfie asks. “Mmm, says Dad, but be careful with the saw”. Alfie takes Dad’s toolbox out of the closet. But what is he going to build? Photo: Photo: Lisa Thanner Hurry Up, Alfie Atkins, 1975 “Alfie! Hurry up, it’s time to go!” Dad shouts from the kitchen. “We have to go to kindergarten!” Gunilla Bergström is the creator of Alfie Atkins, “Yes, I will,” says Alfie, “I just have one of Sweden’s most popular and timeless picture to...” book characters. Alfie is no hero; in fact, he is not even particularly brave. Perhaps this is why he appeals to so many children and adults: he seems Alfie Atkins and His Secret just like us. From her first Alfie book, Gunilla Friend, 1976 Bergström broke with the tradition of the cute and Malcolm is Alfie’ secret friend the ideal to write about real characters in a typical who comes to play when Alfie wants him to. He is so secret flat in an urban high-rise block. Gunilla Bergström that only Alfie can see him. One has written over forty books translated into more day when Malcolm wants to than thirty languages and has won the Astrid play, they do something that is Lindgren Prize, the medal Illis Quorum Meruere forbidden - they borrow Dad’s finest pipe. And suddenly the Labores from the Swedish Government and pipe is gone! Where did it go? numerous other awards. And what will Dad say? 5 Swedish Books for Young Readers ELSA BESKOW Elsa Beskow (1874-1953) is a popular Swedish author The Sun Egg, picture book, and illustrator of children’s books. Her books have 1932, Bonnier Carlsen been translated to many languages and she is often Rights: Bonnier Rights referred to as the author who first introduced the A mysterious orange egg has Swedish picture book abroad. The Elsa Beskow fallen into the woods. ”It’s Award was created in 1958 to recognize the year’s a sun egg!” declares the elf best Swedish picture book illustrator. Nature who finds it nestled on the forest floor. Soon she and always plays an active part in her fairytales in which her friends find out what it flowers, trees, mountains and pinecones come to life. really is, but not before the Her illustrations are filled with small details that little elf goes off on one of fuel the observer’s imagination. the best adventures she has ever had. Pelle’s New Suit, picture book, 1912, Bonnier Carlsen Rights: Bonnier Rights Pelle has a lamb whose coat just grows longer and longer, while Pelle’s Sunday suit grows shorter! So Pelle shears the lamb, and the wool is turned into a new suit for Pelle. Aunt Green, Aunt Brown and Aunt Lavender, picture book, 1918, Bonnier Carlsen Rights: Bonnier Rights In this first of the classic Peter and Lotta books, Elsa Beskow tells how the two children come to meet the three colorful sisters known as Aunt Green, Aunt Brown and Aunt Lavender. Photo: private Photo: Swedish Books for Young Readers 6 Stefan Casta Stefan Casta has written approximately fifty books, most of them for children and teenagers. He lives on a farm in the southern part of Sweden, tending to his garden, and his hens and sheep. Apart from writing, he also teaches and tutors at the writer’s college at Lund’s University, and has previously been one of the members of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award jury. Casta’s literary work consists of everything from picture books to YA novels and non-fiction, but the thing that holds it all together is his never ending love for our nature and the environment. His books have over the years won several prestigious literary awards, both in Sweden and abroad: Winner of The August Prize and Nils Holgerson Plaque, Nominated to Prix Farniente in Belgium, Die Silberne Feder in Germany, The Nordic Council’s Children’s Literature Prize and The Bernard Shaw-prize in England. The Books about Sofi, ill. Bo Mossberg, children’s non-fiction, 1998-2016, 6 titles, Bokförlaget Opal Rights: Opal Agency Follow the ant Sofi on her adventures through nature! The Magical Dust, ill. Marcus Gunnar Pettersson picture book, 2017, Bokförlaget Opal Rights: Opal Agency In Evening Land, the inhabitants have lived in peace for many years. But one day, Juniper and her friends can sense something is different. Someone has dang- erous plans for their forest! The Bumblebee’s Herbarium, ill. Maj Fagerberg children’s non-fiction, 2012, Bokförlaget Opal Rights: Opal Agency Guided by the bumblebee, you Photo: Danne Eriksson Photo: can now build your own her- barium with some of the most beautiful flowers in nature. 7 Swedish Books for Young Readers SARA B.ELFGREN In Dreams, YA fiction, 2017, Rabén & Sjögren Rights: Grand Agency Tamar’s and Clea come from different backgrounds. But one day they end up in the same class when they enter the esteemed theatre program at Norra Latin Upper Secondary School in Stockholm. They are in the same class but worlds apart.