The books that counted- The Story About Someone

[scripsi]

One of my projects this year is to re-read those books that somehow mattered a bit more than other books. Not just fun, or interesting, but bit more. And I will start with the first book I can remember that brought the magic of literature to me. This book was a picture book, Historien om någon (The Story About Someone) by Åke Löfgren and illustrated by Egon Möller-Nielsen, and I was three years old. It’s something of a classic in Sweden, first published in 1951.



The story is very simple. We follow the mysterious “someone” through a house. He upsets grandmother’s knitting basket and makes away with a ball of yarn, and the reader follows the trail of yarn from room to room. “Someone is obviously rather mischievous, breaking a vase, drink all the milk and fish the goldfish out of a bowl. luckily the reader comes along and is urged to quickly put it back in the water again. The trail ends in the attic, finally revealing that “someone” is a kitten named Nisse.



It was such a wonderful, thrilling feeling to read this book. I loved the pictures, simple but still with enough details to catch the eyes. even though I knew the story by heart i still wasn’t quite sure everything would look the same when i turned the page. The possibility of something else to happen seemed very close. And perhaps, if I could find the right trick, I would be able to step inside the book myself, exploring those parts of the book house that isn’t shown. Especially a dark vault that is glimpses under the staircase- I was very curious of what could be found there.

Comments

[evelyn-b.livejournal.com]

What a great idea for a project! I'm looking forward to reading your posts.

This looks like a very exciting book for a young child! I wonder if it's available in English? my niece loves books and would probably like this one.

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

I think I will have a lot of fun too. :)

I don't know it it's translated, but I hope so. It seems to be a favourite of all Children I know who has it. :)

[angrboda]

Oh what a good idea! I wish I could remember what I loved at that age. I shall have to have a think.

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Ask you parents? :)

[angrboda]

I've had an idea in the meantime. :) Do you have Rasmus Klump in Sweden? I had a fair collection of those. My parents still have them.

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, we have! Or at least when I was a kid, I think he is rather forgotten here now. :) I haven't thought about him for years, I had several albums but they are gone now. I think I need to find a few again. :) Thanks for reminding me!

[angrboda]

I just discovered on Wednesday to my VAST surprise that Skæg is a seal. I always thought he was an otter. I just never made the 'never takes his hands out of his pockets' connection there before. It was a bit mind-blowing.

(I am now slightly tempted to take home the ones at my parents' house and acquire all the remaining...)

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

LOL! I feel a definite need to re-read them now!

[verdande-mi.livejournal.com]

I haven't heard about this book, but it sounds and looks like an excellent and fun read :)

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

It's very nice! I can recommend it. :)

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, what an adorable book!! We don't have anything like that here (that I know of). Sounds marvelous!

I like the idea of going back and re-reading books you loved in the past. Finding that magic all over again...nothing like it!

*HUGS*

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's cute, isn't it? :) *hugs*

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

What a lovely book!


Gabrielle

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Yes, isn't it? :)

[thisbluespirit]

Aww, and what a lovely account of the magic of picture books, too, as well as this particular one! ♥

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I remember I had a painting in my room of a train station at that age and I was convinced it was possible to step into it, if one just did something right. :)