Karlson Flies Again

I am very pleased to be able to find this book in english. This book has been a long time favorite with its light humor and multiple children's adventures. A book that both adults and children can enjoy together.

This one was one of my favorites when I was between ages 7 and 10. I've read it so many times, it literally had HOLES in it. The pages were all worn out. I was very disappointed when I could not find an English version of it for a long time for my kids to read. I was very excited to see this new edition of it. This book is great as read aloud and read yourself. (This review also applies to the first book - 'Karlson on the Roof'). My kids love it. I only wish I could find the third story - I believe it's called 'The Most Incredible Karlson'.

Karlson is one of Astrid Lindgren's most famous creations. It spans at least 3 books - Karlson on the Roof, Karlson Flies Again and Karlson is Sneaking Around Again (this one being the second). Karlson is a short, fat man with a properller in his back and a button on his belly. He flies around and lives on the roof of a Stockholm suburb. In the series, he befriends what was a lonely boy, the youngest of three children. Karlson is a memorable character who takes pranks to the extreme, as well as slapstick humour, gluttony (especially for sweets) and is generally a happy-go-lucky wiseass who describes himself as "a beautiful and pleasingly plump man in his prime". Children are not below appreciating ironic humour and this series explores it well as we laught at his pranks while realising the character traits that they are mocking (as they are exaggerated to a childlike extreme - he constantly demands attention, food and is a general drama queen). In this book, the boy explores more of Karlson's world on the roof (including Karlson's endearing "portrait of my rabbits" which is a picture of a fox!) and the two of them terrorise and are oppressed by Bok - an unpleasant nanny past her middle age that was arranged for the boy while his family are away. A great read for kids from a young age!

A sequel to Karlson on the Roof follows the adventures of an average boy who lives on an average street in Stokholm and his mischievous friend Karlson, who has a propeller on his back and absolutely loves sweets. A must read for children!