Pippi Longstocking (by Astrid Lindgren, 1945) is one of the most iconic characters in children's literature. She's a staple in her home country, with an amusement park, plays, movies, and more. Astrid Lindgren is a national treasure, and today the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is one of the most prestigious honors in children's literature, and one of the few prizes with a monetary component. Pippi is one of the best know characters from another country in the United States. Pippi has been translated into 64 different languages, including three English translations (two in the 1950s, by Florence Lamborn in the United States and Edna Hurup in Great Britain and one in 2007 by Tiina Nunnally).
Pippi Longstocking presents the episodic adventures of the strongest girl in the world. She’s almost an orphan: her dead mother is an angel, occasionally peeking through a hole in the sky to check on her daughter, and her father was lost at sea (though Pippi is convinced he’s alive and well, living as a King of the Natives on an island in the South Seas.) Until he is found, she’s living in Villa Villekulla, a house on the outskirts of a small Swedish town, with her monkey, Mr. Nilsson, and her horse. At first the townspeople think she needs an adult to look after her, but Pippi manages to avoid going to a children’s home by outwitting the policemen and she maintains her freedom. She lives just outside the bounds of the town, and similarly, on the bounds of society. Pippi generally does exactly what she pleases and sees no reason to do otherwise. After hearing about Christmas Vacation, she tries going to school, but that doesn’t last long. Money is not an issue, as Pippi has a chest of gold coins to draw upon whenever she needs it. The two children who live next door, Tommy and Annika, are thrilled when Pippi moves in. They go on many adventures with Pippi, who makes everything an adventure -- even scrubbing the floor!
Pippi Longstocking presents the episodic adventures of the strongest girl in the world. She’s almost an orphan: her dead mother is an angel, occasionally peeking through a hole in the sky to check on her daughter, and her father was lost at sea (though Pippi is convinced he’s alive and well, living as a King of the Natives on an island in the South Seas.) Until he is found, she’s living in Villa Villekulla, a house on the outskirts of a small Swedish town, with her monkey, Mr. Nilsson, and her horse. At first the townspeople think she needs an adult to look after her, but Pippi manages to avoid going to a children’s home by outwitting the policemen and she maintains her freedom. She lives just outside the bounds of the town, and similarly, on the bounds of society. Pippi generally does exactly what she pleases and sees no reason to do otherwise. After hearing about Christmas Vacation, she tries going to school, but that doesn’t last long. Money is not an issue, as Pippi has a chest of gold coins to draw upon whenever she needs it. The two children who live next door, Tommy and Annika, are thrilled when Pippi moves in. They go on many adventures with Pippi, who makes everything an adventure -- even scrubbing the floor!