NORTHERN EUROPEAN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE Writing & Global Cultures Flags / Fall 2019 Sandra Ballif Straubhaar GSD 340 / 37160 EUS 347 / 35545 CL 323 / 33450 Course Description: This course will introduce students to nineteenth- to twenty-first-century children’s literature from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands. Authors highlighted will include Heinrich Hoffmann (Struwwelpeter), Wilhelm Busch (Max and Moritz), Selma Lagerlöf (The Wonderful Adventures of Nils), Astrid Lindgren (Pippi Longstocking, Ronja the Robber’s Daughter, The Red Bird, The Brothers Lionheart), Erich Kästner (Emil and the Detectives), Dick Bruna (Miffy), Jostein Gaarder (Sophie’s World), Bjarne Reuter (The Boys from St. Petri), Tove Jansson (Finn Family Moomintroll), Otfried Preussler (The Robber Hotzenplotz, Krabat), Walter Moers (Capt’n Bluebear), Cornelia Funke (Inkworld, Mirrorworld, Pan’s Labyrinth), Sven Nordqvist (Pancakes for Findus), Michael Ende (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 Wednesdays, 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 Astrid Lindgren 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. W 28 AUGUST. Introduction to the Class. Picture Book Reading: Heinrich Hoffmann, Struwwelpeter. Germany, 1845. 2. F 30 AUGUST. Movie clips: Shockheaded Peter (The Tiger Lilies, 1998). M 2 SEPTEMBER / LABOR DAY HOLIDAY 3. W 4 SEPTEMBER. 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) (skim this). “La fantasía puede ser a la vez política y poética," interview with Cornelia Funke (Golden Globes, 2019) (Note for the interview: LACMA = Los Angeles County Museum of Art). Quiz. 4. F 6 SEPTEMBER. OnLine Reading Due: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jul/23/the-wonderful-adventure-of-nils- holgersson-selma-lagerlof-review-childrens-book In-Class Picture Book Reading: Wilhelm Busch, Max and Moritz (Germany, 1865). In- Class Reading: The beginning of Selma Lagerlöf’s The Wonderful Adventures of Nils (Sweden, 1906). Reading journals due (to be posted on Canvas™). These journal entries are intended to include reactions to / ideas about: readings due, films viewed, and class discussions; sometimes, I will use one of your reactions to open a new class discussion. 5. M 9 SEPTEMBER. Movie clips: Karlsson on the Roof. Sweden/USSR, 1970s. 6. W 11 SEPTEMBER. Packet Readings due: Emil and the Detectives, by Erich Kästner (1929, Germany). Tintin in America by Hergé (Georges Remi) (1945, Belgium). The Guardian (2017): Tove Jansson. Quiz. 7. F 13 SEPTEMBER. 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. M 16 SEPTEMBER. 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. W 18 SEPTEMBER. Packet Readings due: Comet in Moominland, written and illustrated by Tove Jansson (1946, Finland). The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Ilon Wikland (1947, Sweden). Finn Family Moomintroll, written and illustrated by Tove Jansson (1948, Finland). Quiz. 10. F 20 SEPTEMBER. Picture Book Reading: Tove Jansson, The Book About Moomin, Mymble and Little My. Finland, 1952. Reading journals due (posted on Canvas™). 11. M 23 SEPTEMBER. Movie Screening (partial): Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter. Sweden, 1984. First six-page reaction paper or position paper DUE TODAY. 12. W 25 SEPTEMBER. 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. F 27 SEPTEMBER. Picture Book Reading: Annie M. G. Schmidt and Fiep Westendorp, Jip and Janneke. Netherlands, 1953. In-class peer review activities on student papers. 14. M 30 SEPTEMBER. Movie Screening (partial): The Children of Noisy Village. Sweden, 1986. 15. W 2 OCTOBER. 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. F 4 OCTOBER. 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. M 7 OCTOBER. 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. W 9 OCTOBER. 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. F 11 OCTOBER. Picture Book Reading: Otfried Preussler, The Robber Hotzenplotz. Germany, 1962. First two chapters only. Movie Screening (partial): Moomins on the Riviera. Finland/France, 2014. 20. M 14 OCTOBER. Movie Screening (partial): The Neverending Story. Germany/USA, 1984. 21. W 16 OCTOBER. 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 Maria Gripe, illustrated by Harald Gripe (1964, Sweden). Quiz. Second six-page reaction paper or position paper DUE TODAY. 22. F 18 OCTOBER. Reading journals due (posted on Canvas™). 23. M 21 OCTOBER. 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. W 23 OCTOBER. 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. F 25 OCTOBER. Movie Screening (partial): The Thief Lord. Germany, 2005. 26. M 28 OCTOBER. 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.