Karius and Bactus facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Thorbjørn Egner |
|---|---|
| Original title | Karius og Baktus |
| Translators | Mike Sevig and Turi Olderheim |
| Illustrator | Thorbjørn Egner |
| Country | Norway |
| Language | Norwegian |
| Genre | Children's literature, fantasy |
| Published | 1949 |
| Publisher | Gyldendal, Cappelen |
Karius and Bactus (which is Norwegian: Karius og Baktus in Norwegian) is a famous children's story from Norway. It was written and illustrated by Thorbjørn Egner. The book first came out in 1949. Later, in 1954, it was made into a short, 15-minute puppet animation film by Ivo Caprino. An English version of the book was published in the United States in 1986.
Contents
About Karius and Bactus
The main characters in the story are two tiny "tooth trolls" named Karius and Bactus. Karius has black hair, and Bactus has red hair. Their names are a fun play on words. "Karius" sounds like caries, which is another name for tooth decay. "Bactus" sounds like Bacteria, which are tiny germs.
These two little trolls live inside holes, called cavities, in the teeth of a boy named Jens. They are very comfortable in their homes.
The Trolls' Happy Life
Karius and Bactus have a great life inside Jens's mouth. They especially love it when Jens eats sugary foods. For example, they are thrilled when he eats white bread with lots of syrup.
Their favorite thing is when Jens forgets to brush his teeth after eating. This leaves food bits behind. These bits are perfect for the trolls to eat and build their homes even bigger. They enjoy making more and more holes in Jens's teeth.
The End of Their Home
However, the trolls' good life doesn't last forever. Eventually, Jens visits a dentist. The dentist works to fix Jens's teeth. This means the trolls' homes are destroyed.
After the dentist's work, Jens starts taking better care of his teeth. He brushes them properly. When he does, Karius and Bactus are rinsed right out of his mouth. They lose their homes and are gone!
Why This Story Matters
The story of Karius and Bactus is a classic in Norwegian children's literature. It has funny pictures and a very important message. It teaches children about the importance of dental care.
Since the book was published, the idea of "tooth trolls" has been used a lot. It helps parents and teachers explain to children why they need to brush their teeth. For generations of kids in Scandinavia, Karius and Bactus have been a fun way to learn about keeping their teeth healthy.
