Swedish books at National Library

If your child has read any of the famous Pippi Longstocking books, or even seen the cartoon, they may enjoy a trip to the Leo Bradley Library over their Christmas vacation. Illustrations from books by Astrid Lindgren, the creator of these delightful books about an extraordinary little girl with red pigtails and superhuman strength, and other Swedish authors are part of a traveling exhibition. The show is making the rounds in Central America and Belizean children have from now until January to enjoy the colorful display.

Karen Furness, National Collection Librarian

“It’s an exhibition of illustrations in books by authors such as Astrid Lindgren, who’s very famous, world over. We have her books here and I don’t know if children know Astrid is from Sweden.

Many authors, who have written books about fairyland, fairies and goblins, I think that’s where the illustrations come from and I think it’s a really beautiful exhibition.”

The exhibition, sponsored by the International Board on Books for Young People, the Swedish International Development Agency, and the Swedish Institute came to Belize through the Directors of National Libraries of Central America, Belize and Panama. Although the show came with Spanish text, the National Library Service has provided translations. The exhibit may end in January, but the set of books by Swedish authors that came with the show is here to stay. These are in both English and Spanish.