When the Robbers Came to Cardamom Town facts for kids
Norwegian cover art
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| Author | Thorbjørn Egner |
|---|---|
| Original title | Folk og røvere i Kardemomme by |
| Translator | L. Berg & E. Ramsden |
| Illustrator | Thorbjørn Egner |
| Country | Norway |
| Language | Norwegian |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | J.W. Cappelens Forlag |
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Publication date
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1955 |
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Published in English
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1976 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | 978-82-02-13977-3 |
| OCLC | 30971127 |
When the Robbers Came to Cardamom Town (which in Norwegian is Folk og røvere i Kardemomme by) is a famous children's book from Norway. It was written and illustrated by Thorbjørn Egner in 1955. The book tells the fun story of a place called Cardamom Town. Many people think it's one of the most important Norwegian children's books. It has lots of songs that are part of the story. Because of its songs and story, it's also great for a musical play.
Contents
Discover the Story of Cardamom Town
This book is about a very peaceful place called Cardamom Town. Most people there are calm and happy. But there are three characters who cause some trouble. These are the three robbers: Casper, Jasper, and Jonathan. They live outside the town.
The robbers often sneak into town to steal things they need. Eventually, they get caught and arrested. But in jail, they are treated very kindly. This good treatment helps them change their ways.
In the end, the robbers become heroes! They help put out a big fire in the town's tower. After this, they get new jobs. Casper becomes the town's fireman. Jasper becomes the manager of the circus. Jonathan joins the town's baker as a new baker.
Meet the Characters of Cardamom Town
The story has many fun and interesting characters.
Main Characters
- The Robbers (Casper, Jasper, and Jonathan) (Kasper, Jesper og Jonatan) - These three are often loud and argue with each other. They live in a messy house. They even have a kind lion that lives with them to protect them.
- Constable Bastian (Politimester Bastian) - He is the happy policeman of Cardamom Town. His main goal is to make sure everyone is happy.
- Aunt Sophie (Tante Sofie) - She is a strict lady and the aunt of Camomilla. Aunt Sophie has a famous "angry song." In her song, she complains about things in town. She also thinks Constable Bastian is too kind. But she is also a caring person who likes things to be orderly.
- Tobias - He is the wise old man who lives in the town's tower. He has a very long beard. His job is to tell the town the weather forecast from his balcony.
Other Town Residents
- Kamomilla - She is Aunt Sophie's young niece. Kamomilla loves to play the piano.
- Tommy - He is the young son of the town's horn player. His dad plays in the town orchestra.
- Enoksson the Tram driver - He drives the city's tram. He also plays music in the city orchestra.
- Simonsson the barber - He is the town's barber. He also plays the clarinet in the city orchestra.
- The butcher, the baker and the merchant - These three get tired of the robbers stealing from them. They decide to catch the robbers once and for all.
- Polly Parrot - This is a parrot who sings at the Cardemom Fair.
- Camel - This is a camel who also sings at the Cardemom Fair.
Music from the Story
The songs from When the Robbers Came to Cardamom Town are very popular. They were first released as an EP (a type of music record) in 1955. Later, in 1975, a full LP album called Kardemommeviser was released. The 1975 album, which featured Egner himself, won an award called the Spellemannprisen.
Cardamom Town Theme Park
The world of Cardamom Town was brought to life as part of a theme park. This park is located at Kristiansand Zoo in Norway. It opened in 1991. Thorbjørn Egner, the author, saw the park being built. Sadly, he passed away before it was fully finished.
The Law of Cardamom
Cardamom Town has only one simple law. It is called the Law of Cardamom (Norwegian: Kardemommeloven). This law is very easy to understand and follow. It says:
- One shall not bother others,
- one shall be nice and kind,
- otherwise one may do as one pleases.
This means that as long as you are kind and don't bother anyone, you are free to do whatever you want!
Popular Songs from the Book
The book features many well-known songs that help tell the story. Here are some of them:
- Politimester Bastian's vise (Constable Bastian's song)
- Visen om været (Song about the weather)
- Trikken i Kardemomme (The tram in Cardemom Town)
- Røvervise (The robbers' song)
- Lille Kamomilla spiller (Little Kamomilla playing)
- Kardemommesangen (The Cardamom song)
- Den talende kamel (The talking camel)
- Tante Sofies sinte vise (Aunt Sophie's angry song)
- Røverfangevise (The capturing of the robber's song)
- Røvernes letevise (The robbers' exploration song)
- Røvernes vise om Tante Sofie (The robber's song about Aunt Sophie)
- Sofies sinte vise i røverhuset (Sophie's angry song in the robber's house)
- Røvernes vaskevise (The robbers cleaning song)
- Glade røvere (The happy robbers)
- Hestedans (The horse dance)
- Papegøyen fra Amerika (The parrot from America)
- Hurrasang for Tobias (Hooray song for Tobias)
- Fru Bastians vise (Mrs. Bastian's song)
- Røvernes vaskevise i fengslet (The robbers' cleaning song in prison)
- Barbermestervise (The barber song)
- Hurrasang for røverne (Hooray song for the robbers)
Film Adaptation
The popular book was also made into a movie. The film version was released in 1988. It was directed by Bente Erichsen.
Images for kids
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The entrance to the Cardamom Town area at Kristiansand Zoo.
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A live show reenacting the story in Cardamom Town.
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The tower where the old wise man Tobias lives in Cardamom Town.
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The Robbers Kasper, Jesper, and Jonathan in the theme park.
