Den vita stenen facts for kids

Den vita stenen (which means "The White Stone") is a popular children's book from Sweden. It was written by Gunnel Linde in 1964. The book was so good that Gunnel Linde won the Nils Holgersson Plaque award for it in 1965. Later, in 1973, the story was even turned into a TV show!

What is Den vita stenen about?

The story of "The White Stone" happens in a small village in the Swedish countryside. This was a long time ago, in the 1930s.

Fia and Hampus Meet

Fia lives with her mother, Mrs. Pettersson. Her mother is a piano teacher. They live in a big house that belongs to the village's local judge. This judge was called a "häradshövding". A grumpy housekeeper named Malin also lives there. Some people in the village don't think highly of Mrs. Pettersson. This is because she spends a lot of time playing piano. Fia sometimes feels sad because other kids at school tease her about her mother.

One summer day, a boy named Hampus arrives in the village. He's with his uncle, who is a shoemaker. He also comes with his uncle's wife and their six children. Hampus's new family often moves around. They sometimes think Hampus causes trouble.

When Hampus and Fia meet, they don't want to tell each other their real names. These two children, who feel a bit lonely, decide to become friends. They create their own secret club. Fia calls herself "Fideli" and Hampus calls himself "Farornas konung" (which means "King of the Dangers").

The White Stone and Missions

Their friendship starts with a special white stone. They "fight" over this stone in a fun way. They give each other "missions" or challenges. If you complete a mission, you get to keep the white stone. This makes their summer adventures exciting!

The TV Series

In 1973, the book was made into a TV series. It had 13 parts and was directed by Göran Graffman.

Meet the Cast

• Julia Hede played Ina Vendela Sofia "Fia" Pettersson
• Ulf Hasseltorp played Hampus
• Monica Nordquist played Mrs Pettersson
• Ulf Johanson played the "häradshövding" (judge)
• Betty Tuvén played Malin
• Håkan Serner played Sivert Kolmodin, the shoemaker and Hampus' uncle
• Maj-Britt Lindholm played Mrs Kolmodin
• Ingemar Hasselquist played Henning Kolmodin, the shoemaker's eldest child
• Cecilia Nilsson played Eivor Kolmodin, the shoemaker's daughter
• Gunilla Söderholm played Siri Kolmodin, the shoemaker's daughter
• Ann-Charlotte Lithman played Nanna Kolmodin, the shoemaker's daughter
• Joakim Rundberg played Ture Kolmodin, the shoemaker's son
• Robert Rundberg played Lulle Kolmodin, the shoemaker's son
• Fanny Gjörup played Brita
• Eva Dahlqvist played Essy
• Pia Skagermark played Solbritt
• Börje Mellvig played the merchant
• Björn Gustafson played baker Emilsson
• Lars-Erik Liedholm played the postmaster, Brita's father
• Ove Tjernberg played "Farornas Konung", a lion tamer at the circus
• Willy Peters played the doctor
• Karin Miller played the schoolteacher