Emil i Lönneberga facts for kids
First book, first edition
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| Author | Astrid Lindgren |
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| Illustrator | Björn Berg |
| Country | Sweden |
| Language | Swedish |
| Genre | children |
| Publisher | Rabén & Sjögren |
| Published | 1963-1997 |
Emil of Lönneberga is a popular series of children's books by Astrid Lindgren. She wrote twelve books about Emil between 1963 and 1997. Emil is the main character. He is a boy who loves to play pranks. He lives on a farm in the village of Lönneberga in Småland, Sweden.
These books have been translated into 44 languages by 2014. Most versions include the original drawings by Björn Berg. There are also five movies based on the books. The most famous three came out between 1971 and 1973.
Contents
Meet Emil: The Prankster Boy
Emil Svensson lives with his family on a farm called Katthult. This farm is in the village of Lönneberga, near the town of Vimmerby. In the books, Emil is usually between five and eight years old. He has fair hair and blue eyes, making him look like an angel. But don't let that fool you!
Emil's Many Pranks
Emil is very good at getting into trouble. He doesn't mean to be naughty, but things just seem to happen around him. He once said, "You don't make up pranks, they just happen." His pranks often start as good ideas or simple games that go wrong. Sometimes they are just due to bad luck or not thinking things through.
For example, Emil once gave food meant for guests to poor people who needed it more. Another time, he accidentally locked his father in the outhouse. He also lifted his little sister up a flagpole to see how far she could see. Once, while playing, he made everyone think they had a serious illness called typhus.
Punishment and Carving
After most pranks, Emil quickly runs away. He locks himself inside a small tool shed. His father then locks the shed from the outside as a punishment. Emil usually feels bad about what he has done. But the shed isn't a harsh punishment for him.
Emil enjoys sitting in the shed. During each stay, he carves a small wooden figure. Over time, he collects 369 of these figures! However, his mother buried one because she thought it looked too much like the local church leader. Emil is a smart and creative boy. He often thinks in ways that adults don't quite understand.
Emil's Brave Side
Emil is also very clever and good with his hands. He is especially skilled with farm animals, like horses. He is also very brave. One time, he saved the life of Alfred, the farmhand. Alfred had a serious infection called blood poisoning.
The road to the doctor was covered in deep snow. Alfred was very sick and close to death. Emil bravely faced the bad weather. He took a horse and sleigh to get the doctor. This trip saved Alfred's life, and Emil had always looked up to Alfred.
In the end, the stories say that Emil grows up to be a responsible and clever man. He even becomes the Chairman of the Village Council.
Meet the Katthult Family and Friends
Emil lives with his family and some helpers on the Katthult farm.
Emil's Family
- Anton Svensson: Emil's father often gets angry with his son. But it's clear that he loves Emil very much, especially when Emil isn't causing trouble. He is shown as a typical person from Småland, meaning he is very careful with money. He once told his wife that if she kept wearing her shoes so often, they would need new ones every ten years! In their house, alcohol and bad language are strictly forbidden.
- Alma Svensson: Emil's mother loves her son deeply. She often says, "Emil is a nice little boy, and we love him just the way he is." She writes down every naughty thing Emil does in a blue book. Soon, she needs several books to keep track!
- Ida Svensson: Emil's little sister is a very well-behaved child. She sometimes tries to play pranks like her brother. She wants to be sent to the shed because she thinks it sounds cozy. But she never quite manages to cause enough trouble to get there.
Farm Helpers and Visitors
- Alfred: The farmhand is Emil's best friend. He is very fond of children.
- Lina: The farm maid doesn't like Emil as much. She is in love with Alfred and often asks him to marry her. Alfred usually tries to avoid this topic.
- Krösa-Maja: An older woman who lives nearby. She often visits the farm to help with chores or watch the children. She loves to tell them ghost stories and other tales she claims are true.
When Did Emil's Adventures Happen?
The stories about Emil don't give exact dates. But they seem to take place in Sweden around the years 1899 to 1911. The books mention some Swedish cultural and social things that ended in the early 1900s.
A comet is mentioned, which was probably Halley's Comet. This comet passed by Earth in 1910. There is also a mention of a big earthquake in America. This most likely refers to the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.
Emil Around the World: Different Names
Emil's stories are loved in many countries, but sometimes his name changes!
- In Germany, Emil is known as Michel aus Lönneberga. This is because another famous boy named Emil already existed in German children's books. That was Emil Tischbein from Erich Kästner's book Emil und die Detektive, written in the 1920s.
- In Iceland, the books are called Emil í Kattholti. They are very popular there.
- In Italy, he is simply known as Emil. His Swedish movies were shown on RAI TV in 1974.
- In Poland, the books are known as Emil ze Smalandii.
- In France, Emil was renamed Zozo la Tornade, which means "Zozo Tornado."
- In Finland, Emil is known as Vaahteramäen Eemeli, meaning "Eemeli of Vaahteramäki."
- In The Netherlands, Emil is called Michiel van de Hazelhoeve.
Emil on Screen: Film Adaptations
Many movies and TV shows have been made about Emil's adventures:
- Emil i Lönneberga (1971)
- Nya hyss av Emil i Lönneberga (1972)
- Emil och griseknoen (1973)
- Michel aus Lönneberga, a German-Swedish TV series.
- Emīla nedarbi (1985), a Latvian TV film
- That Boy Emil (2013)
