As Pelle's beloved pet lamb's coat grows longer, his suit grows shorter. Pelle needs a new coat! So he shears the lamb's wool and sets off with his arms overflowing. By exchanging his talents for the expertise of others in his village, he receives help to get the wool carded, spun, dyed, woven and stitched into a fine new suit. As usual, Ms. Beskow's watercolor illustrations are wonderful, giving careful detail to the coat-making process. Although this classic story was first published in Sweden in 1912, it still remains a favorite of my students and I always read it when introducing weaving or wool work in my classes. For ages 2-8.
Peter was a multi-talented man. He was the village doctor and handyman. He was a friend of the children and would build boats for them. He cheerfully escorted visitors around the village in ten different languages! But one day, an official shows up at his door and tells him that his shabby house must be mended or torn down. Immediately, the entire community comes to his aide and rebuilds his shack into a showplace! This heartwarming tale gently imparts the message that we have an obligation to our neighbors in time of need. This is a wonderful choice for reading aloud to children ages 4 and older.
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Ollie's Ski Trip
By Elsa Beskow
Hardcover, 32 pages
Ollie receives a pair of skis for his 6th birthday and soon takes off for a trip through the nearby forest. Everything is so beautiful and sparkling after the big snowfall; he can't help but stop and wonder over it. Suddenly, as if summoned by a wish, Jack Frost appears and guides Ollie to King Winter's palace. Along the way he meets the dreaded Mrs. Thaw, who is frightened away. Once in the palace, Ollie visits the King and his many happy workers and has some fun adventures in the snow before returning home. On Christmas morning, he finds two gifts from Jack Frost on the porch. Ollie and his little brother have many enjoyable afternoons playing in the snow before Mrs. Thaw comes for good, cleaning and making ready for Spring to make her arrival. This charming book, and others by Elsa Beskow, has endured and delighted young children for almost a century!
Miniature Version
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The Sun Egg
By Elsa Beskow
Hardcover, 32 pages
One day, when an elf is exploring the forest, she discovers a large, round and yellow object lying on the ground. She deduces that it is an egg dropped by the sun. She immediately tells her forest friends, who all come to see this golden, sun egg. There is much excitement, arguing and adventure surrounding this astounding event, until the truth of the egg is discovered. This simple story provides a lot of entertainment, especially for young children and is a wonderful spring or summer story. Recommended for ages 4 and older.
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Children of the Forest
by Elsa Beskow
Hardcover (laminated), 32 pages
Deep in the roots of an old pine tree lives a tiny forest family with their four children. All of the children wore red-and-white spotted caps so when strangers came near, they would curl up, still as a stone, looking for all the world like four red-and-white spotted mushrooms. The story spans an entire year and you will discover with the children of the forest that each season brings its own adventures. First printed in 1910 in Swedish, this delightful story continues to please children all over the world.
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Woody, Hazel and Little Pip
by Elsa Beskow
Hardcover (laminated), 32 pages
This is another memorable creation of Elsa Beskow first published in 1939. In this autumn story, two acorn children get blown away in the wind where they have several adventures and meet other little people of the forest. The illustrations are richly detailed, making this a book your children won't soon forget. My daughter is entering her teens, and still I'll catch her looking over the copy from her preschool years! I'm sure this will become a favorite of your family, as well.
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The Flowers' Festival
By Elsa Beskow
Mini Edition, Hardcover (laminated), 32 pages
On the eve of Midsummer, Lisa is sitting on her Grandmother's porch when she receives a special invitation from the Midsummer Fairy to join a party in the flower garden. There she is greeted by a parade of flower and garden folk to hear stories, feast on refreshments and sing songs. The illustrations are simply wonderful! You really get a sense of each plant's unique characteristics by reading the story and searching for the details in the colorful drawings. I think our favorite is the story about Mrs. Chestnut and her sons, all of them brave young knights and soldiers. Every time I see the prickly armor of a chestnut, I can't help but be reminded of this sweet and innocent story! Recommended for ages 4-10.
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Christopher's Harvest Time
By Elsa Beskow
Hardcover (laminated), 32 pages
Christopher is playing with his new ball in the garden when suddenly it appears to have gotten stuck in the tree overhead. He looks up to see a boy, about his age, sitting on a branch. Christopher climbs up and is greeted by September, the little spirit of autumn, who eventually takes Christopher around introducing him to all the harvest folk of the garden while searching for the lost ball. Although the story is a simple one, the delightful illustrations are what really make this book memorable. I love the personalities and special touches that the author gives to each garden character. (My favorite is Mother Pea who carries her baby in a pod sling.) Simple adorable! Recommended for ages 5-9.
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The Tale of the Little, Little Old Woman
By Elsa Beskow
Hardcover (laminated), 22 pages
This is Elsa Beskow's earliest published work, first printed in Swedish in 1897! It's a simple story about a little, little old woman, who lives in a little, little cottage, filled with little, little furniture. She has a little, little cat and cow and...I think you get the idea! It's fun to read-aloud, and young children especially enjoy the lyrical nature of the text. Great fun! Recommended for ages 2-7.
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Around the Year
By Elsa Beskow
Hardcover (laminated), 32 pages
This charming book of verses gives me such an unexplainable, cozy feeling deep down inside that I decided it must be shared. (Click on the picture to view a different page from this book every month.) I immediately fell in love with it! It captures the essence of childhood throughout the year as seen through the eyes of three children. Some of the pictures are fanciful, but most simply illustrate what the children are doing during that particular month. To comb over the details in the watercolor paintings is an exercise of pure joy and delight. The poems are wonderful to read aloud! This simple book is a keeper - one that will stick with you long after you have closed the cover. Highly recommended for ages 3-10.
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Uncle Blue’s New Boat
By Elsa Beskow
Hardcover, 32 pages
In this classic tale, originally published in 1942, Uncle Blue takes Peter, Lotta and the three colorful aunts for a boat ride and picnic on an island. While the adults are having a nap, the children decide to occupy themselves by practicing their rowing, but disaster strikes when they become distracted, accidentally lose their oars and begin drifting away in the current! They are saved by a passing boat, but Uncle Blue and the Aunts are left stranded on the island to worry. As is usual for those mischievous children, all turns out well in the end after a romping adventure that is sure to please children ages 4 and older.
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All the beloved classic Elsa Beskow children's books at deeply discounted prices.
Only available in a miniature version that measures 5" x 7". It is the perfect size for a gift basket or stocking!
Peter and Lotta's Adventure
by Elsa Beskow
Hardcover, 32 pages
After Peter and Lotta find a good home for one of their new kittens and do a kind deed, they wander down the wrong rode while walking home and become lost in the woods. A kind woodcutter gives them a ride, as far as the fair, where he promised to find them a ride home. While at the fair, they are drawn into a series of adventures before Aunt Green, Aunt Brown, Aunt Lavender and Uncle Blue see them riding on the back of a live bear! Thus ends another eventful day in the lives of these two kind-hearted, inquisitive children...and one that is sure to please readers of Elsa Beskow books. Reprinted from her 1929 classic
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Emily and Daisy
By Elsa Beskow
Hardcover, 32 pages
Emily is going to the meadow to look after Daisy the cow. Along the way she meets a dog, Billy the Boaster and an old man, but she is set on her task and can’t be distracted. Once there, how will she, just a small girl, mend the broken fence and stop Daisy from wandering off and eating the clover? She befriends a family of wood elves who come to the rescue. In the end, even the dog, Billy and the old man play a part in setting things right. This is a sweet story for young children ages 3-8 and the illustrations are precious. Originally published in Sweden in 1941, this endearing tale certainly will delight children of our modern generation.
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The Curious Fish
By Elsa Beskow
Hardcover, 26 pages
When Flash, a very curious little fish, is caught by a boy and held prisoner on dry land, his aunts and uncles are determined to save him. But how can they leave the water to go to his rescue? With the help of a wise old frog and a little magic, even the most unlikely wishes can come true. Originally published in 1933, this is another delightful picture book from Elsa Beskow, whose charming stories and timeless illustrations have been enjoyed by children for over a century. Recommended for ages 3 and older.
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The Land of Long Ago
By Elsa Beskow
Hardcover, 32 pages
One day the old fallen tree trunk outside Kelly and Kai’s cottage is magically transformed into a dragon and carries the children off to the Land of Long Ago. On their incredible journey, the two children meet a forlorn princess, trick the King of the Trolls and make off with his key to rescue a knight who has been locked in a tower. Kelly and Kai are made special guests at the Palace and are given a singular honor at the wedding of the Princess and Knight. But will the old tree dragon, who stayed behind to rest after the wild adventure, stay alive long enough to bring the children home? In classic Elsa Beskow style, this imaginative tale moves quickly and with surprising twists and turns to a happy ending. Originally printed in 1923 in Sweden, it is now available again to the delight of faithful fans and a new generation. Recommended for ages 4 to 10.
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Princess Sylvie
By Elsa Beskow
Originally published in 1934, this delightful story for young children is about exploring new places, making new friends and about the comforts of home. Princess Sylvie and her father, the king, and their dog Oskar go beyond the palace garden for the first time. They discover many wonders in the wild wood not found in the neat and tidy gardens of the palace. Oskar spies a hare and gives chase, Sylvie runs after him and their adventure begins. This simple story is illustrated with the author’s well-loved paintings that have made her picture books so endearing to generations. Recommended for ages 3 and older.
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The Children of Hat Cottage
by Elsa Beskow
Hardcover, 32 pages
Three children and their mother live in a cottage shaped like a hat on a little island in a lake. One day their mother goes to the mainland to find yarn to make the children new clothes. While she's away the children try to help around the house, but housework is much harder than they thought. They have great fun sweeping the chimney -- but they get very dirty. They wash their clothes in the lake and dry them over a fire -- but fires are hard to control. Will Hat Cottage be standing by the time their mother returns? A charming story from Elsa Beskow about getting help from unexpected places, with lively illustrations in her classic style. Recommended for ages 4 to 10.
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Aunt Green, Aunt Brown and Aunt Lavender
By Elsa Beskow
Hardcover (laminated), 32 pages
This is the first of the classic “Peter and Lotta” stories, in which the two orphaned children meet the three colorful sisters known as Aunt Green, Aunt Brown and Aunt Lavender. At first the story focuses on the sisters, their different personalities and special talents of gardening, baking and making fruit syrup. The action begins when their dog, Little Dot wanders off and is picked up by an organ grinder who is in need of a mascot. The sisters search the nearby countryside, eventually aided by Peter and Lotta, until the dog is found. In the end, happiness returns to their home, along with a new pet and the children. This is a sweet story that will be enjoyed by young children ages 4-10.
