A Calf for Christmas

Astrid Lindgren; Illustrated by Marit Törnqvist; Translated by Polly Lawson

Price:	£9.99
Publication Date:	23 Sep 2010
Availability:	Available to buy

It’s the last day of school before Christmas and snow is falling heavily. Johan heads to school on his sled, but he can’t stop thinking about the terrible thing that happened yesterday -- his family’s only cow died, and they have no money to buy another.

Rich farmer Peter Jonsson has come to town today for the Christmas market. He buys a calf then, after spending some time in the local inn, loses it on the sleigh ride home! When Johan heads out to clear snow, what does he find ...? Maybe he’ll have a happy Christmas after all.

A charming story by acclaimed author Astrid Lindgren, set in a traditional Swedish landscape.

Reviews

'The snowy illustrations contain a wealth of detail and pull the reader into a story that holds everyone's attention.'
--Carousel, Christmas 2010 Supplement

'The perfect book for reading together on a cold, dark winter's night.'
-- Creative Steps

'This is a charming tale with enchanting illustrations of the snow Swedish countryside. Loved it!'
-- Juno

'This story covers the old belief that something good can result from something bad. It is supported by beautiful watercolours of rural Swedish scenes in the Winter. Families rating: 4 out of 6.'
-- Families London South West

'A lovely story and another beautifully produced revival from Floris Books.'
-- School Librarian

'Beautifully illustrated, heart-warming but unsentimental story by the author of Pippi Longstocking.'
-- Daily Echo

About the Author(s)

Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) was born on a homestead in Smĺland, Sweden. Her most famous book, Pippi Longstocking, was published in 1945 to great success. She is also well known for Carlsen on the Roof, her books about The Bullerby Children and The Tomten. Her books are loved all over the world and have sold around 145 million copies. She won many awards, including the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Pippi Longstocking in 1973; the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1958; and the International Book Award from UNESCO in 1993.

Marit Törnqvist was born in 1964 in Uppsala, Sweden and divides her time between the Netherlands and Sweden. She studied illustration at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. In 2011 she was awarded a Golden Plaque from the Biennial of Illustration Bratislava, one of the most prestigious children's illustration awards.

Useful Things to Know

Find out more about Astrid Lindgren and her world on our Astrid Lindgren Biography and Book Information page. Includes a most-loved book list.

Like Astrid Lindgren on Facebook (below) to stay up to date with the latest information on her books and great monthly giveaways: