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Pippi Longstocking (novel)

arts Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Pippi Longstocking is a famous children's novel from Sweden. It tells the story of a very special nine-year-old girl. Pippi has bright red hair in long braids. She is also known for her superhuman strength.

She lives in a big house called Villa Villekulla. This house is in a small Swedish village. Pippi lives there with her pet monkey, Mr. Nilsson. She also has a pet horse and a suitcase full of gold pieces.

Pippi soon meets two local children named Annika and Tommy Settergren. They become her friends and enjoy her company. Pippi does not always know how to act like other children. This leads to funny moments at school and at a circus.

The story works by showing Pippi's unique way of living. She is very different from the children around her. Because she spent her life at sea, she has many eccentric ways. She often lacks common courtesy, which makes the story quite funny. Readers watch her try to fit into normal life. She even attends a coffee party at the home of Mrs. Settergren.

Astrid Lindgren is the writer who created this character. She first told these stories to her daughter, Karin, in 1941. Karin was seven years old and home sick with pneumonia. Lindgren wrote the first manuscript three years later. At first, a publisher named Bonniers rejected the story. Lindgren then added more silly and nonsensical parts. She sent the new version to a contest by Rabén & Sjögren.

Lindgren won the book contest on August 1, 1945. The first edition of the book was published in November of that year. The book features illustrations by Ingrid Vang Nyman. This was Nyman's first time illustrating in Sweden. Since then, the book has been translated into more than 40 languages. In 2002, the Norwegian Nobel Institute named it a top work of world literature. It was also ranked number 91 on a list of top children's novels in 2012.

Pippi has become a character that many people see in different ways. There have been many movies and TV shows made about her. A film was made in 1949 starring Viveca Serlachius. In 1969, a famous Swedish TV series was made with director Olle Hellbom. This version is very popular in Sweden and other parts of Europe. Even famous animators like Hayao Miyazaki once wanted to make a movie about her. Pippi remains a beloved character for readers all over the world.

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