 | |
| Author | Astrid Lindgren |
|---|---|
| Original title | Mirabell |
| Illustrator | Pija Lindenbaum |
| Language | Swedish |
| Publisher | Rabén & Sjögren |
Publication date | 2002 |
| Publication place | Sweden |
Published in English | 2003 |
Mirabelle (original title: Mirabell) is a children's book written by Astrid Lindgren.
Britta-Kajsa's greatest wish is to get a doll, but a doll is very expensive and her parents don't have a lot of money.
One day, when Britta-Kajsa's parents are at work, Britta-Kajsa meets a strange little man. The latter asks Britta-Kajsa to open a gate for him so that he can drive through it with his carriage. Britta-Kajsa does as she is told. The little man explains that he can't give her any money, but a tiny little seed that she can plant into the garden.
Some time after Britta-Kajsa planted the seed, a doll grows out of it. Britta-Kajsa shows the doll to her amazed parents who cannot believe what they see. Later, Britta-Kajsa takes the doll into her room. Suddenly the doll starts to speak and says that her name is Mirabelle. From then on, Britta-Kajsa and Mirabelle do almost everything together. Britta-Kajsa thinks she has the greatest doll in the world.
Mirabelle was first published in 1948 in the Swedish magazine Vi. In 1949 it was published in the fairy tale collection Nils Karlsson Pyssling. In 1950 Astrid Lindgren was awarded the Nils Holgersson Plaque for this book. [1]
A picture book was published in Sweden in 2002 and was illustrated by Pija Lindenbaum. [2]
The book has been adapted into several theater plays. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
According to Jens Andersen the doll Mirabelle is a manifestation of Britta-Kajsa's "need for closeness, friendship, and affection". [9]
Gabriele Cromme said Britta-Kajsa shows the characteristics of a well-behaved girl. She wants a doll as a toy, is helpful towards strangers, has intuition and accepts her parents' values without contradiction. The female aspects of Britta-Kajsa become even stronger when she starts behaving like a caring mom who loves her pretty daughter (the doll). At first the doll is only interested in her new clothes. Later the doll shows self-confidence (the doll insists on the name Mirabelle), wildness, naughtiness and self-determination, for example when she tells Britta-Kajsa what she doesn't want to eat. [10]
Maria Ribbeck praises the illustrations by Pija Lindenbaum, calling them wonderful, with rich colors and a crazy chicken appearing on every page. [11]
Galline Volanti praises the illustrations and text by Astrid Lindgren. She said that the story never gets boring. It is never exaggerated, never bland, often brilliant and always meaningful. [12]
Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren was a Swedish writer of fiction and screenplays. She is best known for several children's book series, featuring Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Lönneberga, Karlsson-on-the-Roof, and the Six Bullerby Children, and for the children's fantasy novels Mio, My Son; Ronia the Robber's Daughter; and The Brothers Lionheart. Lindgren worked on the Children's Literature Editorial Board at the Rabén & Sjögren publishing house in Stockholm and wrote more than 30 books for children. In 2017, she was calculated to be the world's 18th most translated author. Lindgren had by 2010 sold roughly 167 million books worldwide. In 1994, she was awarded the Right Livelihood Award for "her unique authorship dedicated to the rights of children and respect for their individuality". Her opposition to corporal punishment of children resulted in the world's first law on the matter in 1979, while her campaigning for animal welfare led to a new law, Lex Lindgren, in time for her 80th birthday.
Pippi Longstocking is the fictional main character in a series of children's books by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. Pippi was named by Lindgren's daughter Karin, who asked her mother for a get-well story when she was off school.
Brenda Brave Helps Grandmother is a 1950 story by Astrid Lindgren about a young girl named Brenda (Kajsa) in Sweden. The book about the character has been translated into many different languages.
Seacrow Island is a children's book written by Astrid Lindgren. The story continues in the book Scrap and the Pirates.
Pija Lindenbaum is a Swedish illustrator, author and designer. 1999–2007 she owned the 14th chair of the Swedish Academy for Children's Books. She has illustrated the Tsatsiki books written by Moni Nilsson-Brännström.
Kati is a Swedish novel series by Astrid Lindgren. It tells the story of Kati, who travels, first to America, then to Italy and Paris. The novels were translated into many languages including English, German, Spanish, French and Russian.
Rasmus, Pontus och Toker is a 1956 Swedish film directed by Stig Olin and written by Astrid Lindgren.
Gull-Pian is a 1988 Swedish film directed by Staffan Götestam and based on the novel of the same name by Astrid Lindgren.
Tomte Tummetott and the Fox is a 2007 German film directed by Sandra Schießl and based on the novels The Tomten and The Tomten and the Fox by Astrid Lindgren.
Noriko-San: Girl of Japan or Eva visits Noriko-San is the title of a book by the Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren, with photos by Anna Riwkin-Brick. In 1956 the book was published by Rabén & Sjögren.
War Diaries, 1939–1945 is a book written by Astrid Lindgren. It contains the diary entries that Lindgren made during the Second World War. The book has been translated into many different languages including German and English.
The Red Bird is a children's book written by Astrid Lindgren.
The Dragon with Red Eyes is a children's book written by Astrid Lindgren.
The Day Adam Got Mad, also Goran's Great Escape is a children's book written by Astrid Lindgren.
I Don't Want to Go to Bed is a children's book written by Astrid Lindgren.
In the Land of Twilight is a children's book written by Astrid Lindgren.
Take Off Your Clothes, Doll is a 1968 West German comedy drama film directed by Ákos Ráthonyi and starring Anke Syring, Astrid Frank and Christiane Rücker.
Lotta on Troublemaker Street is a Swedish novel and picture book series by Rabén & Sjögren, which is written by Astrid Lindgren.
Now That Night Is Near is a children's book written by Astrid Lindgren and illustrated by Marit Törnqvist. It includes Lindgren's song of the same name.
Kerstin Lundberg Hahn is a Swedish author of children's and youth books. She was awarded the Astrid Lindgren Prize in 2019.
