Babbis Friis-Baastad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Babbis Friis-Baastad
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Friis-Baastad
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| Born |
Ellinor Margrethe Blauenfeldt
21 August 1921 Bergen, Norway
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| Died | 10 January 1970 (aged 48) |
| Nationality | Norwegian |
| Occupation | children's writer |
Babbis Friis-Baastad (born Ellinor Margrethe Blauenfeldt on August 21, 1921 – died January 10, 1970) was a well-known Norwegian writer. She wrote many popular books especially for children.
Contents
About Babbis Friis-Baastad
Babbis Friis-Baastad was born in Bergen, Norway. Her parents were Carl Heinrich Blauenfeldt and Edel Johanne Mønness. She grew up in Oslo as an only child.
After finishing high school in 1940, she went to commercial school. She then started studying languages and literature at university. However, she stopped her studies because of important life events.
Life During World War II
In 1942, Babbis married Kaare Friis-Baastad, who was a pilot. During the German occupation of Norway in World War II, they had to escape to Sweden for safety. Babbis and Kaare had four children together.
Her Writing Career
Babbis Friis-Baastad started her career by writing for children's radio shows. From 1953, she contributed to popular Norwegian radio programs like Lørdagsbarnetimen and Barnetimen for de minste. She wrote fun sketches and audio plays for these shows.
Famous Radio Series
One of her most famous works for radio was the series Tulutta og Makronelle. This series was so popular that it was played many times. It was even published as a book in 1960.
Children's Books
Babbis Friis-Baastad's first children's book was Æresord, published in 1959. This book was very successful and was translated into English, Dutch, and Swedish.
She wrote several other books, including:
- Kjersti (1962)
- Ikke ta Bamse (1964)
- Du må våkne, Tor! (1967)
- Hest på ønskelisten (1968) – This book was translated and published in the US in 1972 with the title Wanted! A Horse!.
- Hest i sentrum (1969)
Don't Take Teddy
One of her most important books is Ikke ta Bamse, which was translated into English in 1967 as Don't Take Teddy. This story is told from the point of view of a younger brother named Mikkel. He talks about his older brother who has an intellectual disability. The book helps readers understand what it might be like to have a family member with special needs.
In 1969, the publisher Charles Scribner's Sons received the Mildred L. Batchelder Award for the English translation of Don't Take Teddy. This award is given to the "most outstanding" children's book translated into English language and published in the US that year. The book also received the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1976.
Awards and Recognition
Babbis Friis-Baastad's books were highly praised.
- Three of her books won the Dammprisen from the publishing house Damm.
- She also received several awards from the Ministry of Culture for her wonderful children's books.
