Customer Reviews

Swedish Folk Tales

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fantasy, whimsey & pathos- all the ingredients to wonderful tales for young and old are here in full measure. John Bauer's illustrations were for me a previously unknown treasure. They capture the beauty and grotesque elements of legend and folklore with the playfulness of a Dulac or Rackham. If only Bauer had lived, what more wonders could he have created? Some of the finest Swedish authors are included in this collection as well, including the superlative Elsa Beskow. Share this collection with a child as well as yourself.

I have read this book countless times. Each reading is a special time for me and my Dad. These stories are a glimpse into Swedish culture that we know very litle about in the United States. There are always twists and turns in the tales about tomtes, trolls and princesses that constantly keeps the reader's attention. However wonderful and amazing are the stories, John Bauer's illustations are magnificient and extraordinary.Reading,unlike TV allows your imagination to grow. John Bauer's creative imagination far exceeds anything. It is very sad that such a gifted person died so early. These illustrations live on in this book. Indeed, it is a rare opportunity that this book is again available. We hope you will enjoy these wondrous literary journeys as much as we did. Please remember to shut the TV off. By the way, we are wondering where our house tomte is ?

I have read this book countless times. Each reading is a special time for me and my Dad. These stories are an glimpse into Swedish culture that we know very litle about in the United States. There are always twists and turns in the tales about tomtes, trolls and princesses that constantly keeps the reader's attention. However wonderful and amazing are the stories, John Bauer's illustations are magnificient and extraordinary.Reading,unlike TV allows your imagination to grow. John Bauer's creative imagination far exceeds anything. It is very sad that such a gifted person died so early. These illustrations live on in this book. Indeed, it is a rare opportunity that this book is again available. We hope you will enjoy these wondrous literary journeys as much as we did. Please remember to shut the TV off. By the way, we are wondering where our house tomte is ?

The illustrations and the stories are a wonderful combination, and they converge to make this book truly a "must have". In fact, I ordered one copy for my daughters to share at Christmas, and then after seeing it, I ordered 2 more copies so that they could each have one of their own to keep. It's that good! I prefer these tales over the Grimm's fairy tales (though those are very good) but there is something simply spellbinding about these. And John Bauer's illustrations -- what can I say? Pure magic. I have since looked for more folk tales from this area of the world, and for more works llustrated by Bauer, but really there is nothing like this book out there. If your child loves to hear a good tale you can't go wrong with this book. Buy it, and I guarantee that you won't regret it.

John Bauer's wondrous magical illustrations are matched by the marvelous tales in this book. "The King's Choice" and "The Queen" are especially lovely. Our family's copy from the 1970s is nearly in tatters, it has been so loved. I know what our children will be getting for Christmas this year!

This book far exceeded my expectations. The illustrations are not just beautiful, imaginative, and magically evocative; they are plentiful, too, with one on nearly every other page. The tales are well constructed and wonderfully readable in this translation. I assume they are 19th century art tales, but they are in the folk tradition and they keep to a standard stable of fantastic creatures (usually trolls, sometimes also tomtes or gnomes or elves). I would have liked a bit more bibliographic and biographical information on the writers (not just on the remarkable John Bauer), but this is a quibble that maybe a future printing can fix (along with the occasional typo).

Quibbles aside, I recommend this collection most highly. I read it out loud to an almost-four year old daughter and a five-and-a-half year old son and they love it. Princesses, trolls, brave and clever peasants making their way in the big world: what more could one wish for?

In short, the stories are a good length for reading aloud, the pictures are plentiful, and altogether this is a truly enjoyable book. I don't write many reviews, but I had to sing the praises of this gem.

As the title suggests, this is a book of Swedish Folk Tales, beautifully illustrated by renowned 19th century Swedish artist, John Baur. The tales are rich with traditional Scandinavian lore about trolls, beautiful maidens, and majestic and wise animals. I am very impressed with the illustrations and paper quality. This is a really beautiful book and one that can become a treasured favorite at bedtime for your own young ones and for generations to come.

This book combines absolutely gorgeous illustrations with a selection of traditional fairy tales that tend to include more independent female characters than similar fairy tale collections. For example, in "Agneta and the Sea King," the heroine follows her own path and removes herself from a home where her husband is emotionally manipulative. The stories are well-written and unique; I have not seen them in other collections.

Most of the fairy tales include subtle insights or morals that will appeal to both children and adults. Several of the stories emphasize the importance of being kind and generous-- without being dull.

The mysterious illustrations by John Bauer are, in my mind, a mixture between Arthur Rackham and art nouveau. However, those who find the naked body offensive should avoid this book, as it does contain a few illustrations with undressed children (although a child probably does know what he or she looks like naked) and adults as seen from behind.

Absolutely beautiful. The artwork is achingly pretty and the stories are wonderful. I'm a folklore nut and an illustration enthusiast, so this book made my whole weekend.

My 9 yr old son loves the stories in this book. He is very interested in dwarves, fairies and the like, so this book is perfect for finding out more about them. I would highly recommend this book.