Junibacken facts for kids
Junibacken is a super fun place for kids and families in Stockholm, Sweden. It's like a magical world dedicated to Swedish children's books, especially the amazing stories by Astrid Lindgren. She wrote books about characters like Pippi Longstocking!
Junibacken was created by Staffan Götestam, Fredrik Uhrström, and Peder Wallenberg. It opened its doors on June 8, 1996, with the Swedish Royal Family there for the big day. Today, it's one of Stockholm's most popular places to visit.
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What You'll Find at Junibacken
Junibacken is packed with exciting things to explore. It's designed to bring your favorite storybook characters to life!
The Storybook Square
Imagine a town square where every house is dedicated to a different Swedish children's author! You can discover writers like Elsa Beskow and Sven Nordqvist. It's a great way to learn about many wonderful storytellers. The square even has a pretend train station, just like the one in Vimmerby, Astrid Lindgren's hometown.
The Story Train Ride
One of the most popular parts of Junibacken is the Story Train! You hop aboard a special train that takes you on a journey through Astrid Lindgren's famous books. You'll see scenes from stories like Madicken, Karlsson-on-the-Roof, Ronia the Robber's Daughter, Emil i Lönneberga, and The Brothers Lionheart. It's like stepping right into the pages of her books! The ride ends at a cool, half-size copy of Villa Villekulla, which is Pippi Longstocking's colorful home.
Sweden's Biggest Children's Bookstore
Junibacken has the largest children's bookstore in all of Sweden. You can find so many books there! Even the lockers in the entrance look like giant book spines, featuring classic stories like Treasure Island and The Jungle Book.
Other Fun Areas
Besides the train and bookstore, Junibacken also has a theatre where you can watch shows. There's a restaurant if you get hungry, and a special area for temporary exhibitions. These exhibitions often focus on a single author or character, like Pettson and Findus, and change every 11 months.
Changes to the Story Train
Over the years, Junibacken has made some updates to make sure everyone has a great time.
The Dragon Scene Update
In 2006, the dragon scene in the Story Train was changed to be less scary for younger kids. Originally, the dragon, Katla, was very close to the train, which frightened some children. Now, you see Katla from a distance, just like the characters Skorpan and Jonathan do in the story. The old dragon was made of latex and moved a little, but the new one is made of metal and doesn't move. These changes made the ride more enjoyable for everyone!
