Best selling Swedish writer of children's books, dominant figure in modern children's literature in Sweden and in Scandinavia.

Lindgren's acclaimed success in 1945 with the creation of PIPPI LÅNGSTRUMP (Pippi Longstocking). It was followed by two sequels. The anarchistic main character was condemned by some authorities in the heated discussion of permissive upbringing. In articles from 1939 and 1949 Lindgren defended the right of children to be treated like human beings without being oppressed: if children are given love, good beviour will look after itself.

Pippi Longstocking differs radically from the familiar tradition, which is represented in Johanna Spyri's classic Heidi series or L.M. Montgomery's stories of orphan Anne. Pippi is more related to Heinrich Hoffmann's Slovenly Peter (Der Struwwelpeter) or Wilhelm Busch's rascals Max and Moritz. Unlike ordinary heroes, Pippi is both mentally and physically strong. Her pets are not cats or dogs (or goats as in the case of Heidi), but a horse and a monkey (a primitive man in Jungian sense?).

Lindgren broke also conventional literary codes later. Her novel The Brothers Lionheart brought up in children's books the taboo of the death and the doctrine of reincarnation. In MIO, MIN MIO the classical story of good and evil is colored by suggestive, flexible rhythm, derived from such sources as the Bible, the folk tales and the lyric poetry.

In 1963 Lindgren created another popular character Emil, whose adventures started in EMIL IN LÖNNEBERGA. Ronja Robber's Daughter made her appearance in the 1980s, and lauched a moderna and more variation of Pippi Långstocking. When Pippi is a real 'father's daughter' Ronja is closer to her mother, and despite her father's physical strenght, he is a weak person.

Lindgren has also published memoirs, MITT SMÅLAND. Her adult fairy tale Pomperipossa in the World of Money in 1976 attaced unjust taxation, and after two years the laws were changed more reasonable.

Lindgren has written over 80 books, which have been translated into 76 languages and sold nearly 80 million copies. Many television and screen adaptations, among others Luffaren och Rasmus (1955), not so stylish Pippi Långstrump i Söderhavet / Pippi in the South Seas (1974), and lively Ronja Rövardotter (1983) have made her books also very popular.

For further reading: En bok om Astrid Lindgren, ed. by Mary Ørvik (1977); Astrid Lindgren: En levnadsteckning (1977); Läs om Astrid Lindgren by Kerstin Llunggren (1992)

Compiled by Kuusankoski Public Library, Finland (© 1997) and René Märtin (© 1998-2001).