Thursday, August 23, 2012

Share a Book -- Elsa Beskow's Children of the Forest

Happy Thursday! Today I managed to get some writing done, which felt really awesome. I thought I would celebrate by drinking a cup of coffee, taking some photos, and sharing a book here on the blog.

Children of the Forest
, by Elsa Beskow, seems like it should already be on my bookshelves. My coworker over at Darling Petunia found this at the library the other day and was kind enough to share it!



The story is a peek inside the life of a family of forest people, specifically the adventures of four mushroom-hatted children, Tom, Harriet, Sam, and Daisy. We learn about their animal friends, meet their forest-dwelling neighbors, and follow them throughout the year to see what fun they have during the winter, spring, summer, and autumn. It has mushrooms, hedgehogs, and wonderful, detailed nature illustrations -- just about everything I love.

The illustrations in the book are delightful, and I wanted to include a few here!




"Wild strawberries and mushrooms grew by their door and they had all the pots, pans, chairs, beds, tables, knives, forks and spoons they could possibly need. Sheltered under the pine tree branches, they hardly felt the autumn gales and if it rained, the children crept underneath a giant toadstool to keep dry."





"Soon they were in the middle of harvest time and everyone had to do their share. The little brown cupboards in the roots of the pine had to be filled with bottles of berry jam, dried seeds, 
nuts and fruit to last through the winter."






Hedgehog parade!

According to her biography, she is often called the Beatrix Potter of Sweden -- I can certainly see why! Her life story seems very interesting and inspiring, particularly her involvement with the Swedish women's movement and education. I would love to read a biography, and hope to have a chance to pick up and enjoy more of her picture books sometime.



Are you a fan of Elsa Beskow? Do you have a favorite classic picture book?
Be sure to share with me below!

6 comments:

  1. Love the illustrations, so magical! :) The Secret Staircase is one of my favourites
    http://www.amazon.com/The-Secret-Staircase-Brambly-Hedge/dp/0689830904
    When I was older I was in school with the author's son, he lived on the edge of the forest near London and he said his Mum was inspired by the surroundings :)

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    1. Oh! Thanks for sharing, I had forgotten all about The Secret Staircase somehow -- I'll have to pick up a copy and revisit. I remember it had such detailed, marvelous illustrations...

      How wonderful to go to school with her son, that forest must be a magical place!

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  2. This looks absolutely beautiful. I was a massive fan of Beatrix Potter as a kid so I think I'd love this book. Looks like it would make a nice Christmas present for a little girl. (I'm getting prepared and thinking ahead already!)

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    1. I think you'd like it, and it would definitely make a great, inspiring gift. You could get a few of Elsa Beskow's books and start a nice collection for her to build on!

      (and it's never too early to start planning for the holidays -- I should start doing so as well :))

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  3. the pictures are amazing *_* your blog is very good and interesting. maybe follow? im glad if you visit my blog, too :)) keep in touch!

    xx
    beauthi.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you kindly! I checked out your blog too, I love your style! <3

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