An Illustrated Treasury of Swedish Folk and Fairy Tales

“Tales of trolls and kings, princesses, magicians and giants are illustrated by the acclaimed Swedish artist, John Bauer. His stylized images seem to suggest the universal...they are extremely evocative. His use of muted tones means his rare flashes of color—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

“...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 humor of his line.” &mdashBooks 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

“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

C O N T E N T S:

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

John Bauer

John Bauer (1882–1918) was a highly acclaimed Swedish artist. Influenced by Anders Zorn and Carl Larsson, as well as the fantasy work of Arnold Bocklin, he started illustrating fairy stories while 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 humor and delicate detail. Bauer died at the age of thirty-five, when he, his wife, and their three-year-old son were drowned when their ferry sank in Lake Vattern.