Lilibet, circus child facts for kids

Lilibet, circus child is a heartwarming book by the famous Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren. It features amazing photos by Anna Riwkin-Brick. This story about a girl who lives in a circus was first published in 1960. Its original Swedish title is Lilibet, cirkusbarn.

The Story of Lilibet

Lilibet lives a unique life! She travels with her parents in a caravan. This caravan is part of a big circus. Lilibet's mom and dad work in the circus.

Lilibet absolutely loves animals. Every single day, she feeds apples to the two elephants, Babette and Lona.

She also plays with her friend, Leo. They both feel sad for the tigers and monkeys. They think these animals should be free in the jungle, not in cages. Leo wishes he could let them go, but he can't.

Lilibet dreams of becoming a circus rider. But Leo often tells her she can't do it. Even though Lilibet practices riding horses daily, Leo's words make her doubt herself.

Luckily, the clown Teddy Ballon believes in Lilibet. He gives her a "magic rope." He tells her that if she puts the rope around a horse's tail and says "hocus pocus Fidibus," she can become a great rider. Lilibet tries it!

Still, she can't convince Leo that she'll be a good rider. Lilibet feels sad. Her father comforts her. He tells her he knows she will become an amazing circus rider. This makes Lilibet feel much better. By the end of the story, she is proudly standing on the back of a horse!

About the Book Series

Lilibet, circus child is the fifth book in a special series called Children's Everywhere. There are 15 books in total. The stories in this series are based on real events. However, some parts were changed for the book.

This book has been translated into many languages. You can find it in English, German, Hebrew, and Dutch. Interestingly, Lilibet's story is the only one in the series told from the main character's point of view.

Astrid Lindgren, the author, first contacted the circus. Then she visited it and even invited the circus children to her home for a party! Anna Riwkin, the photographer, was also at the party. Later, Anna Riwkin traveled with the circus. She took all the wonderful photos for the book during their tour.

Finding the Real Lilibet

The Children's Everywhere series was very popular in Israel. This was thanks to the poet Leah Goldberg, who translated the books.

In 2017, an Israeli director named Dvorit Shargal made a documentary film. It was called Where is Lilibet the Circus child and what happened in Honolulu?. In this film, the director tried to find out what happened to Lilibet after the book ended.

She discovered that the real Lilibet now lives in Bussum, Holland. She works as a German teacher at Erfgooiers College. In real life, Lilibet's name is Ingrid.

Book Editions

• Lilibet, cirkusbarn, published by Rabén & Sjögren in 1960 (Swedish Edition)
• Circus child, published by Methuen in 1960 (British Edition)
• Lilibet, Circus Child, published by The Macmillan Company in 1966 (US-American Edition)
• Lilibet, das Zirkuskind, published by Oetinger Verlag in 1960 (German Edition)
• Lilibet sirkusbarn, published by Gyldendal in 1961 (Norwegian Edition)
• Lilibet cirkusbarn, published by Gads in 1961 (Danish Edition)