An Illustrated Treasury of Swedish Folk and Fairy Tales

Quick Look

• A beautiful centenary gift edition of the perennial bestseller, which has sold over 25,000 copies to date
• Hand-crafted gift anthology to cherish for generations
• Discover exciting and humorous tales of trolls, giants, villains and heroines, stunningly illustrated by one of Sweden's most famous artists
• Featuring tales by Elsa Beskow, Anna Wahlenberg, Walter Stenström, Helena Nyblom and more
• John Bauer's artwork has been a source of inspiration for many, including Jim Henson, Frank Oz and Neil Gaiman

Centenary gift edition of the much-loved collection of classic stories illustrated by acclaimed artist John Bauer and told by well-known authors such as Sweden's best-loved writers, including Elsa Beskow, Anna Wahlenberg and others.

Description

A new centenary gift edition of the much-loved collection of folk and fairy tales from Sweden, illustrated by acclaimed artist John Bauer.

From good natured Scandinavian trolls through giants, tomtes, shepherd boys and princesses, the twenty-three classic stories by well-known authors such as Elsa Beskow and Anna Wahlenberg are delightfully told, full of adventure and magic with clever, resourceful children outwitting fairytale villains.

John Bauer's art -- renowned for its detail, character and subtle humour -- has never looked more luminous and evocative than in this gorgeously produced edition. Twenty extra pictures have been added along with a wonderful illustrated biography of Bauer, celebrating his work and life one hundred years after his premature death. The book has a foiled cover and ribbon marker, perfect for gifting.

This treasury will be cherished for generations to come and loved by children, parents and grandparents alike.

Table of Contents

Trolls & Tomtes
1.When Mother Troll Took in the King's Washing - Elsa Beskow
2.The Trolls and the Youngest Tomte - Alfred Smedberg
3.The Troll Ride - Anna Wahlenberg
4.The Four Big Trolls and Little Peter Pastureman - Cyrus Granér
5.The Crofters and the Gnomes - Anna Wahlenberg
6.The Old Troll of Big Mountain - Anna Wahlenberg
7.The Changelings - Helena Nyblom

Brave Girls & Boys
1.The Boy and the Trolls - Walter Stenström
2.The Barrel Stopper - Anna Wahlenberg
3.Bella's Glorious Adventure - Helena Nyblom
4.The Magician's Cape - Anna Wahlenberg
5.Dag, Daga and the Flying Troll of Sky Mountain - Harald Östenson
6.The Boy Who Was Never Afraid - Alfred Smedberg
7.The Golden Key - W.E. Björk
8.Leap the Elk and Little Princess Cottongrass - Helge Kjellin

Kings & Queens
1.The Ring - Helena Nyblom
2.The King's Choice - Anna Wahlenberg
3.The Queen's Pearl Necklace - Anna Wahlenberg
4.The Maiden in the Castle of Rosy Clouds - Harald Östenson
5.Linda-Gold and the Old King - Anna Wahlenberg
6.The Prince Without a Shadow - Jeanna Oterdahl
7.The Queen - Anna Wahlenberg

About the Authors
Acknowledgments

Reviews

'If you relish tales of dark forests, wild creatures, marauding monsters, sinister spellcasters and brave boys and girls (and if you appreciate jaw-dropping illustrations of all of the above) you are my kind of person and you too will relish this book.'
-- The Alligator's Mouth

'Republished as a centenary edition, this is a celebration of John Bauer's mysterious and gothic work... Trolls, tomtes and princesses are brought wonderfully to life by Bauer's illustrations. Starting with a fascinating history of his tragically short life, this is a book to treasure.'
-- JUNO Magazine

'A wonderfully entertaining collection... An Illustrated Treasury of Swedish Folk and Fairy Tales is unreservedly recommended.'
-- Midwest Book Review

'This lovely Centenary Edition of Swedish Folk and Fairy Tales is a wonderful tribute to the visionary artist. After an introduction on the life of John Bauer, the tales are divided into three sections "Trolls and Tomtes," "Brave Girls and Boys," and "Kings and Queens." The artist's muted tones and attention to detail perfectly complement the traditional tales and bring them to life. The artwork has been beautifully reproduced and the edition is complete with a ribbon bookmark. This is a collection that will enthrall readers with tales of magic, clever children and royalty. This collection will be enjoyed by readers who love folk and fairytales from around the world. Hand it to readers looking to move beyond the traditional tales by Grimm, Perrault and Andersen.'
-- Youth Services Book Review, 4 stars

'Libraries will find that this is an excellent addition to their collections on folk tales.'
-- School Library Connection

'Tales of trolls and kings, princesses, magicians and giants are illustrated by the acclaimed Swedish artist, John Bauer. His stylised images seem to suggest the universal ... They are extremely evocative. His use of muted tones means his rare flashes of colour -- bluebells, or a golden-haired princess -- seem to illuminate his dark forest scenes with a magical glow. His big-nosed, good-natured trolls are also a delight (fans of Brian Fround's Dark Crystal will adore them). Adults will enjoy these pictures just as much as children.'
-- Dawn Casey, Armadillo

'When John Bauer was tragically drowned at the age of only 36, he had already become Sweden's best-known illustrator of children's books. This handsome volume shows why. These stories are remarkably contemporary in their continuing appeal and their attractions were cleverly identified and enhanced by Bauer.'
-- Mary Medlicott, School Librarian

'This is real storytelling. The stories represent a hitherto-neglected tradition of fairy tale, in bright readable English, which the added bonus of Bauer's pictures for those who respond to the strength of his compositions and the humour of his line.'
-- Books for Keeps

'John Bauer is one of the world's greatest illustrators of fairy tales. His precise and beautiful work has been compared with that of Durer and Holbein. This book will appeal equally to both children and adults.'
-- Folk & Fairy Tales: A Book Guide, Booktrust

'This superb collection of traditional fairy tales from Sweden is fantastic value, and you'll treasure the book for the illustrations alone.''
-- Jo Rogers, Families Magazine (www.familiesonline.co.uk)

'These stories are entertaining, well told and have been translated into readable English. The illustrations are excellent, highly imaginative and reminiscent in style to the work of Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulak. Children between 7 and 11 will enjoy these stories.'
-- Peter Heathfield, New View

'Bauer's characteristic world of lakes, mountains, caves and trees is dark and shadowy, but often broken by bright beams of light. Sometimes the light shines forth from a particular person -- a long-haired princess or a tiny innocent child. Sometimes it radiates from a flying horse or the moon in the sky. But never far away are the trolls, knobbly, clumsy-looking creatures with beady eyes and great fat noses. They are like embodiments of the land itself, knobbly and knotty and gnarled.'
-- Mary Medlicott, School Librarian

Author

John Bauer (1882-1918) was a highly acclaimed Swedish artist. Influenced by Anders Zorn and Carl Larsson, and by the fantasy work of Arnold Bocklin, he started illustrating fairy stories whilst still a student at the Swedish Royal Academy. His best-known illustrations were for an annual Christmas book for children, Bland Tomtar och Troll (Among Elves and Trolls), which delighted readers with their gentle humour and delicate detail. Bauer died at the age of just 35 when he, his wife and their three-year-old son were drowned when a ferry they were taking to Jonkoping sank in Lake Vättern. He created an enormous volume of work before his untimely death, and over one thousand of his paintings, drawings and sketches are housed at The Jönköping Läns Museum in Sweden