Lindgren, Barbro 1937-

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LINDGREN, Barbro 1937-

PERSONAL: Born March 18, 1937, in Stockholm, Sweden; daughter of George (a civil engineer) and Maja (an artist; maiden name, Loefstedt) Enskog; married Bo Lindgren; children: Andreas, Mathias. Education:Attended Konstfackskolan Art School, 1954-58, and Konstakademin Academy of Arts, 1959. Hobbies and other interests: Music, art, nature.

ADDRESSES: Agent—Raben & Sjoegren, Box 2052, SE-10312 Stockholm, Sweden; and Eriksson & Lindgren Books, Box 22108, 10422 Stockholm, Sweden.

CAREER: Worked as a commercial artist and designer; author, 1965—.

MEMBER: Swedish PEN Club, Swedish Authors Union.

AWARDS, HONORS: Swedish Foundation of Authors scholarship, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1971-75; "Gramophone-70" Award, 1970, for children's song texts; Marsta Municipal Culture Prize, community of Marsta, Sweden, 1970; Heffaklump Award, best Swedish children's book, Expressen, 1971, for Jaettehemligt; Astrid Lindgren Award, 1973, for honorable author-ship; Nils Holgersson-Plaketten, best Swedish children's book, Swedish Library Association, 1977, for Lilla Sparvel; Premio Europeo "Citta di Caorle" (picture book category), city of Trento, Italy and University of Padua, 1980, for Sagan om den lilla farbrorn; "best book" selections, School Library Journal, 1981, for The Wild Baby, and 1983, for The Wild Baby Goes to Sea; "Little Nobel Prize" for honorable authorship, 1990.

WRITINGS:

FOR CHILDREN

Mattias sommar (title means "Mattias's Summer"), illustrated by Stan Tusan, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1965, translation by Annabelle MacMillan published as Hilding's Summer, Macmillan (New York, NY), 1967.

Mera om Mattias (title means "More about Mattias"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1966.

Hej, hej Mattias (title means "Hi, Hi, Mattias"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1967.

I Vaestan Grind (title means "Westwind Gate"), illustrated by Monica Schultz, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1968.

Loranga, Masarin och Dartanjang, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1969.

Loranga, Loranga, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1970.

Nu har Kalle faat en liten syster (title means "Kalle Now Has a New Little Sister"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1970.

Jaettehemligt (title means "Giant Secret"), illustrated by Olof Landström, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1971.

Goda goda: Dikter (title means "Good, Good: Poems"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1971, revised edition, 1976.

Nu aer vi gorillor laasas vi, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1971, translation by Suzanne Carlson published as Let's Be Gorillas!, illustrated by Susan Acker, Clamshell Press (Santa Rosa, CA), 1976.

Vaerldshemligt (title means "World Secret"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1972.

Alban: Popmuffa foer smaa hunder (title means "Alban: A Muff Hat for Small Dogs"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1972, translation by Joan Tate published as Alban, A. and C. Black (London, England), 1974.

Bladen brinner (title means "Burning Pages"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1973, revised edition, 1978.

Groengoelingen aer paa vaeg: Dikter foer barn och andra (title means "The Green Woodpecker Is on His Way: Poems for Children and Others"), illustrated by Katarina Olausson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1974.

Barbros pjaeser foer barn och andra (title means "Barbro's Plays for Kids and Others"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1975, revised edition, 1978.

Lilla Sparvel (title means "Little Sparrow"), illustrated by Andreas Lindgren and Mattias Lindgren, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1976.

Stora Sparvel (title means "Big Sparrow"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1977.

(With L. Westman) Hemliga laadans hemlighet (title means "The Secret Box's Secrets"), Liber, 1978.

(With L. Westman) Jag har en tam myra (title means "I Have a Tame Ant"), Liber, 1978.

(With L. Westman) Kom ner fraan traedet (title means "Come Down from the Tree"), Liber, 1978.

(With L. Westman) Var aer mina byxor? (title means "Where Are My Pants?"), Liber, 1978.

(With L. Westman) Vaerldens laengsta korv (title means "The World's Longest Hot Dog"), Liber, 1978.

(With L. Westman) Laesa med varandra (title means "Reading with Each Other"), Liber, 1978.

Garderobsbio (title means "The Movie Closet"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1978.

Bara Sparvel (title means "Just Sparrow"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1979.

Sagan om den lilla farbrorn, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1979, translation by Steven T. Murray published as The Story of the Little Old Man, R & S Books/Farrar (New York, NY), 1991.

Nils Pantaloni Penell, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1980.

Fotograf Jag (title means "Me, the Photographer"), Liber, 1980.

Mamman och den vilda bebin, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1980, adaptation from Swedish by Jack Prelutsky published as The Wild Baby, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1981.

Max nalle, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1981, translation published as Sam's Teddy Bear, Morrow (New York, NY), 1982, published as Sam's Teddy, Methuen (London, England), 1984.

Max bil, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1981, translation published as Sam's Car, Morrow (New York, NY), 1982.

Max kaka, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1981, translation published as Sam's Cookie, Morrow (New York, NY), 1982, published as Sam's Biscuit, Methuen (London, England), 1984.

Den vilda bebiresan, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1982, adaptation from Swedish by Jack Prelutsky published as The Wild Baby Goes to Sea, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1983, translation by Alison Winn published as The Wild Baby's Boat Trip, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1983.

Max boll, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1982, translation published as Sam's Ball, Morrow (New York, NY), 1983.

Max lampa, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1982, translation published as Sam's Lamp, Morrow (New York, NY), 1983, published Bad Sam!, Methuen (London, England), 1983.

Max balja, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1982, translation published as Sam's Bath, Morrow (New York, NY), 1983.

OBS! Viktigt! (title means "Please Note! Important!"), illustrated by Dan Jonsson, Liber, 1983, second edition illustrated by Cecilia Torudd, Eriksson & Lindgren Books (Stockholm, Sweden), 1990.

Sagan om Karlknut, illustrated by Cecilia Torudd, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1985, translation by Dianne Jonasson published as A Worm's Tale, Farrar, Straus (New York, NY), 1988.

Vilda bebin faar en hund, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1985, translation by Alison Winn published as The Wild Baby's Dog, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1986; adaption from Swedish by Jack Prelutsky published as The Wild Baby Gets a Puppy, Greenwillow (New York, NY), 1988.

Max potta, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1986, translation published as Sam's Potty, Morrow (New York, NY), 1986.

Max dockvagn, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1986, translation published as Sam's Wagon, Morrow (New York, NY), 1986, published as Sam's Cart, Methuen (London, England), 1986.

Vems lilla moessa flyger, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1987.

Sunkan flyger, illustrated by Olof Landström, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1989.

Korken flyger, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1990, translation by Richard Fisher published as Shorty Takes Off, R & S Books/Farrar, Straus (New York, NY) 1990.

Stackars Allan, illustrated by Sven Nordqvist, 1990.

Titta Max grav, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, 1991.

Pojken och stjärnan, illustrated by Anna-Clara Tidholm, 1991.

Bra Börje, illustrated by Pija Lindenbaum, 1992.

Stora syster, Lille bror, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, 1992.

Puss puss, sant sant, illustrated by Mathias Lindgren and Andreas Lindgren, 1993.

Här är det lilla huset, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, 1994.

Max napp, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, 1994.

Max blöja, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, 1994.

Kungsholmens ros, 1995.

Lilla Lokomotivet Rosa (title means "Rosa: Perpetual Motion Machine"), illustrated by Eva Eriksson, 1995.

Svempa vill ha många nappar, 1995.

Rosa flyttar till stan (title means "Rosa Moves to Town"), illustrated by Eva Eriksson, 1996.

Rose på bal, 1997.

Andrejs längtan, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, 1997, translation published as Andrei's Search, R&S Books/Farrar, Straus (New York, NY), 2000.

Nu är vi jobbarkaniner, illustrated by Anna Höglund, 1997.

Nämen Benny, illustrated by Olof Landström, 1998, translation published as Benny's Had Enough, R & S Books/Farrar, Straus (New York, NY), 1999.

Per och Pompe, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, 1998.

Rosa på dagis, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, 1999, translation published as Rosa Goes to Daycare, Douglas & McIntyre, 2000.

Prinsessan Rosa, 1999.

Ängeln Gunnar dimper ner, illustrated by Charlotte Ramel, 2000.

Jamen Benny, illustrated by Olof Landström, 2001.

FOR ADULTS

Genom ventilerna (title means "Through the Ventilators"), Bonnier (Stockholm, Sweden), 1967.

Felipe, Bonnier (Stockholm, Sweden), 1970.

Eldvin, Bonnier (Stockholm, Sweden), 1972.

Molnens broeder (title means "The Celestial Brothers"), Bonnier (Stockholm, Sweden), 1975.

Vad tycker du? (title means "What Do You Think?"), Liber, 1976.

Rapporter fraan marken: Dikter (title means "Reports from the Ground: Poems"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1976.

Det riktiga havet (title means "The Real Ocean"), Bonnier (Stockholm, Sweden), 1979.

En liten cyklist (title means "The Little Cyclist"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1982.

Elegi oever en doed raatta (poems; title means "Elegy over a Dead Rat"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1983.

Hunden med rocken: Prosadikter (title means "The Dog with the Overcoat: Prose and Poems"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1985.

Vitkind: I ett barns hjaerta, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1986.

Nu aer du mitt barn (title means "Now You Are My Child"), illustrated by Katarina Olauson Saell, Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1988.

Jag sager bara Elitchoklad: Prosastycken (title means "I Just Say Elite Chocolate"), Raben & Sjoegren (Stockholm, Sweden), 1993.

Many of Lindgren's books have been translated into several languages.

ADAPTATIONS: The filmstrip "The Wild Baby," released by Random House (New York, NY) is based on Lindgren's book of the same title.

SIDELIGHTS: Swedish writer Barbro Lindgren is the author of a number of acclaimed books for young readers as well as novels and poetry for adults. A lifelong resident of Stockholm, Lindgren often draws upon memories of her own youth for inspiration. By her accounts she was an introspective, reclusive child, and at the age of thirteen saw her first short story published in a local newspaper. As a teenager, however, she became interested in the world of art, and after attending art school in Stockholm for five years, Lindgren worked for a time as a commercial artist. Author Astrid Lindgren—who is no relation to Barbro Lindgren—provided advice and encouragement to the fledgling writer and as a result, Barbro Lindgren's first book, Mattias sommar, the story of a small boy and his ordinary adventures, was published in 1965. "I really don't try to make up too much. I feel that real life is exciting enough," Lindgren said about the autobiographical tone of her first book in an interview reprinted in Something about the Author.

Lindgren is perhaps best known for her "Wild Baby" and "Sam" books. Both series are aimed at preschoolers and praised by reviewers for their simple, declarative sentences and accurate depictions of a young child's rich, small world that is centered on his or her home and all of its potential for adventure. Mamman och den vilda bebin is about a precocious boy named Ben, who gets into a myriad of troubling situations but is continually rescued by his doting mother.

In Den vilda bebiresan the young reader again encounters Ben, who is setting off for an outing in his makeshift carton-turned-boat on the blue sea of the living-room rug. His stuffed animals join him for the cruise, and in the simple prose that matches Eva Eriksson's whimsical drawings, Lindgren makes Ben the hero of an action-packed journey. A living room doorway serves in Ben's imagination as the mouth of whale that he sails into, and an inexplicably real chicken is rescued along the way, much to the bewilderment of Ben's mother.

Lindgren repeated the success of these books with the "Sam" series—the tales of another little boy who perpetually gets into trouble. Lindgren originally wrote them in Swedish as the "Max" books. Max nalle, Max bil, and Max kaka were the first three titles; Max became Sam in the English editions. Again aimed at the youngest readers, the stories of the spiky-haired toddler are humorous and easy for preschoolers to comprehend. In Max bil Lindgren incorporates a moral about sharing toys with others. In Max kaka the tot learns to share with his dog. In Max bol, the boy realizes the importance of sharing his favorite ball with the family cat. He gets into trouble, however, in Max lampa when he tries to reach the potentially unsafe appliance. His mother comes to his rescue and bandages his scrape. Max balja means playtime for the irrepressible toddler and his dachshund is drawn into the mischief.

Throughout the text of her books Lindgren desires to impart the joy and adventure of everyday life for small children. In Sagan om Karlknut, Lindgren writes of an unusual worm that a lonely man named Arthur encounters in a park. He befriends the talking creature, gives him a home, has a suit of clothes made for him, and names him Charles. In turn, Charles helps Arthur overcome his shyness; their friendship and the triumph of good over evil is proven when a thug threatens the defenseless worm and the pair's new friends rally round. In Vems lilla moessa flyger, a young boy despairs of his small stature, a problem compounded by his lack of navigational skills in a bewildering adult world. "Shorty" wishes so hard for a set of wings that he gets them—and flies out the window to find his lost cat and a forgotten ball. After a tiring day in the skies, he returns home and falls asleep at the dinner table. Shorty's wings diminish as he grows and becomes a successful musician.

Lindgren once admitted: "I identify with people who are at a disadvantage. Those who are oppressed. I react with fury towards injustice.... Life is full of hard-ships as well as incredibly beautiful things, like small glimpses of light. Among the beautiful things that can happen are reaching for another person, feeling affection and warmth. You notice this throughout life, how complicated life is and how simple it can be."