Pippi Longstocking is nine years old. She has just moved into Villa Villekulla w
here she lives all by herself with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase full of
gold coins. The grown-ups in the village try to make Pippi behave in ways that
they think a little girl should, but Pippi has other ideas! She would much rathe
r spend her days arranging wild, exciting adventures to enjoy with her neighbour
s, Tommy and Annika, or entertaining everyone she meets with her outrageous stor
ies.
Pippi thinks nothing of wrestling a circus strongman, dancing a polka wi
th burglars, or tugging a bull's tail. Generations of children have fallen in lo
ve with Pippi Longstocking. Just like Tommy and Annika, readers are instantly ch
armed by her warmth and sense of fun.
Astrid Lindgren's children's classic fi
rst appeared in 1945. Astrid once commented, 'I write to amuse the child within
me, and can only hope that other children may have some fun that way, too.' When
she was growing up, Lauren Child loved Astrid Lindgren's books. She remembers:
'I discovered Pippi when I was about eight years old and found her completely in
spiring.'Known and loved as the creator of some equally feisty little girls - no
tably Clarice Bean and Lola - Lauren has brought her own inimitable style to thi
s beautifully-illustrated edition of Pippi Longstocking.
