Pippi Longstocking (novel) facts for kids
Cover of first edition
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| Author | Astrid Lindgren |
|---|---|
| Original title | Pippi Långstrump |
| Illustrator | Ingrid Vang Nyman |
| Country | Sweden |
| Language | Swedish |
| Series | Pippi Longstocking |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Rabén & Sjögren |
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Publication date
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November 1945 |
| Media type | |
| ISBN | 0-14-030957-8 (Puffin Modern Classics, 1997) |
| OCLC | 2798770 |
| LC Class | PZ7.L6585 Pi (first U.S.) |
Pippi Longstocking (Swedish: Pippi Långstrump) is a super popular children's book from Sweden. It was written by Astrid Lindgren and first came out in 1945. The book has been translated into more than 40 languages, so kids all over the world can read about Pippi's adventures!
In 2002, the Norwegian Nobel Institute even put Pippi Longstocking on a list of the "Top 100 Works of World Literature." This shows how important and loved the story is!
Contents
How Pippi's Story Began
Astrid Lindgren first made up stories about Pippi in 1941. She told them to her daughter, Karin, who was seven years old and sick with pneumonia. Three years later, Astrid herself got hurt and decided to write down the stories.
She sent her first story to a publisher, but they said no. Astrid didn't give up! She made the story even funnier and sent it to a children's book contest in 1945.
Pippi won the contest! A new publisher called Rabén & Sjögren helped get the book ready. They found an artist named Ingrid Vang Nyman to draw the pictures. The very first book was published in November 1945.
Meet Pippi and Her Friends
The book is all about Pippi Långstrump, a nine-year-old girl with bright red pigtails. Pippi's mom passed away when she was a baby, and her dad, a sea captain, seems to have disappeared at sea.
So, Pippi moves into a big house called Villa Villekulla in a small Swedish village. She doesn't live alone though! She has her pet monkey, Mr. Nilsson, a suitcase full of gold coins, and her horse.
Pippi is super strong and does things in her own unique way. Soon, two local kids, Annika and Tommy Settergren, become her best friends. They love hanging out with Pippi because she's so much fun! Pippi has spent her whole life at sea, so she doesn't always know how things work on land. This leads to many funny moments, like when she tries to go to school or attends a fancy coffee party.
More Pippi Adventures
After the first book, Astrid Lindgren wrote two more full-length Pippi books between 1945 and 1948. Later, she also wrote three shorter Pippi stories. Parts of the original books have also been made into picture books for younger children.
Pippi on Screen
Pippi Longstocking's adventures have been made into many movies and TV shows over the years!
Pippi Movies
Pippi Longstocking (1949 Film)
The first movie about Pippi came out in 1949. It was based on three of the books, but some parts of the story were changed. Viveca Serlachius played Pippi in this film.
Pippi Longstocking, The Strongest Girl in the World (Unmade Japanese Film)
In 1971, two famous Japanese animators, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, wanted to make an animated movie about Pippi. They even traveled to Sweden and met Astrid Lindgren to talk about their idea. However, they weren't given permission to make the film, so the project was canceled. Some of the beautiful drawings they made for the movie still exist!
Peppi Dlinnyychulok (1984 Film)
A TV movie version of Pippi was made in Russia in 1984. Svetlana Stupak played Pippi in this film.
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988 Film)
An American movie about Pippi came out in 1988. It was directed by Ken Annakin, and Tami Erin played Pippi. Even though the title says "New Adventures," it actually tells the original story again.
Pippi Longstocking (1997 Film and TV Series)
An animated movie called Pippi Longstocking was released in 1997. This movie was then turned into an animated TV show that aired in Canada and the United States.
Pippi on Television
Shirley Temple's Storybook (1961 Episode)
In 1961, the American TV show Shirley Temple's Storybook had an episode about Pippi Longstocking. This was the first time Pippi was shown in color, and the first time a child actress, Gina Gillespie, played her. In this version, Pippi's horse is named Horatio, and she can even fly!
Pippi Longstocking (1969 TV Series)
A Swedish TV series based on the Pippi books was made in 1968. Astrid Lindgren herself wrote the script for this version because she wasn't happy with the earlier movie. Inger Nilsson played Pippi, and she did an amazing job!
This TV series is the most famous version of Pippi in Sweden and many other European countries. It was so popular that parts of it were even turned into four movies for audiences in the United States:
- Pippi Longstocking (1969)
- Pippi Goes on Board (1969)
- Pippi in the South Seas (1970)
- Pippi on the Run (1970)
Pippi Longstocking (1985 TV Special)
In 1985, Carrie Kei Heim played Pippi in a two-part TV special called Pippi Longstocking.
Images for kids
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Cover of first edition
