Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren

Born Nov. 14, 1907, in Vimmerby. Swedish writer. Daughter of a peasant.

Lindgren published her first book, Britt-Mari Unburdens Her Heart, in 1944. The first part of her novella Pippi Longstocking was issued from 1945 to 1952 and appeared in Russian translation in 1968. This work broke the tradition of didactic and sentimentalist children’s literature in Sweden.

Lindgren is the author of a number of books for children, including Mio, My Son (1954), Eric and Karlsson on-the-Roof (1955; Russian translation, 1957), Karlsson on-the-Roof Flies Again (1962; Russian translation, 1965), and Karlsson on-the-Roof Appears Again (1968). In her books Bill Bergson, Master Detective (1946; Russian translation, 1959) and Rasmus the Vagabond (1956; Russian translation, 1963), Lindgren deals with the acute problems of homeless children. She has written the trilogy Emil in the Soup Tureen (1963; Russian translation, 1969), Emil’s Pranks (1966; Russian translation, 1969), and Emil and Piggy Beast (1970; Russian translation, 1972). Her novella Seacrow Island (1964; Russian translation, 1971) deals with the joys and miseries of modern children.

Many of Lindgren’s books have been made into films. Her main characters stand out because of their spontaneity and inventiveness. Naughtiness is combined with seriousness and curiosity. Elements of fairy tales and fantasies are present in Lindgren’s works, as well as realistic pictures. In 1958 she was awarded the H. C. Andersen International Gold Medal for the humanistic character of her work.