We had this book as kids, but it was just one of those space filler books that I never read much. We have been listening to the audio version of this book lately and I have started to love it. Astrid Lindgren is the Pippi author. She wrote loads of fabulous books. I love Pippi, but it is a mystery to me why that is the only well known book of all the super ones she wrote. As a kid, I expected it The Tomten to be an extension of Pippi's outrageousness, and always came away with the idea that it was a very boring book. Pippi and Tomtens have very little in common, besides being Swedish. Tomtens are not in the least, tiny bit, outrageous. They are very quiet, gentle little creatures.
Just like the tomten, this is a very quiet, gentle little book. If you are looking for hilarity or a plot, look elsewhere.
Our very scarred copy and our gnomes.
This is the tomten. He only comes out at night time, to make sure everything is as it should be on the remote northern farm he lives on.
To each animal and human he checks on, he speaks to them in tomten language, "a silent little language the cows (or horses or chickens) can understand."
"Winters come and winters go,
Summer comes and summer goes.
Soon you can graze in the fields."
He is so kind and quiet. I wouldn't mind a friendly little Tomten hanging around our house.
And then he goes back to his cozy little corner of the hay loft. While the farm is bathed in star shine and it is "biting cold."
This is the sort of book that makes you feel a bit warm and fuzzy. Well it makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Not sure about you.
Speaking of Sweden, we have a sisters day at the IKEA in Ottawa today.
Enjoy your weekend!
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