Do You Know Pippi Longstocking?

Pippi Longstocking is a children's classic. Kids can exercise their imagination, while following the exploits of Pippi who gets to do all the things kids think they would try if they were allowed to live unsupervised. At the same time, its all done with a wonderful innocence. One gets the impression that Tommy and Annika have the best of both worlds; they get to experience exciting adventures through their friendship with Pippi, but at the end of the day they get to go home to the security of responsible and loving parents. This English translation is especially nice, because it uses the original Swedish illustrations. So many of the English translations have been re-illustrated by different artists, and lost some of their charm.

I bought this book only for the illustrations. In fact, I gave hardly any consideration to what the writing would be like, but both writing and illustrations were a treat.First, I'll go to the illustrations because they are the most novel thing about this book. This is the first Pippi Longstocking book every to be published in the US with the original illustrations by the (obviously) talented Ingrid Vang Nyman. Her pictures are amazingly bright and cheery. Great amounts of reds and yellows, blues, and greens were used. It doesn't seem like there was a dull color on her pallate. The colors on the cover are pretty much the only colors used throughout the book and the result is breathtaking. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying this is the Sistine Chapel or anything, but the pictures are so simple looking, clean cut, and almost "primitive" (that isn't really the proper word I'm looking for, but anyway...). I was persistently amazed on Ingrid Nyman's attention to detail. Her scenes focus on the main characters and there actions, but if you look around the scenes, the detail is wonderful! Most of Astrid Lindgren's writing in the book won't be new to her fans, but the way she changes it is very pleasing. It is just perfect for young readers. I know that this is minute point that most people probably won't notice, but I loved the way Astrid Lindgren pulled the story from its original books into present tense. I felt much more inside the story this way and this shows her mastery and skill at writing for children of all ages. This is must-have for Astrid Lindgren and Pippi Longstocking fans and perfect for those kids whom you want to know Pippi. At the moment, there are two ways in book-form to introduce kids to Pippi, the "Pippi Longstocking Storybooks" from Viking Press and this book. Although the intentions of Viking are admirable (indeed, the way they handled it is excellent), it doesn't fit for the age bracket that this book targets. Now, you can start children off on this book, lead them to The Pippi Longstocking Storybooks, and they're well on their way to reading the three classics!