You Should Read These to the Children: "Future Classics"

Mystery, fact or classic? It's easy to get lost in the jungle of children's books. Four experts give tips on books to read together during the last days of summer vacation.

» Published: August 09 2024

You Should Read These to the Children: "Future Classics"
Photo: Lars Schröder/TT

Boel Westin, professor emeritus in literature and chairman of the jury for the Alma Prize:

"It's blowing on the moon" – children's book classic by Eric Linklater.

It's an adventure book about two twin girls whose dad goes to the Bombardier to fight an evil tyrant, and they set out to rescue him.

The struggle against dictatorship and those who want to decide what we should think and believe is still relevant today.

"The Bridge" – picture book by Eva Lindström.

Thought-provoking and philosophical, and raises questions for us. It's a story you can be a part of regardless of age. I'm convinced that several of her books will become future classics.

"Everyone should read it"

Martin Hellström, lecturer in literature and children's book reviewer:

"The Murderer's Ape" – young adult novel by Jakob Wegelius.

It's a few years old, but everyone should read it. It's a real adventure book.

"You can be a dog" – short story collection by Lise Indahl.

I think it's great. It's three everyday stories about different children in middle school, he says and continues:

Some books are so obviously written to spark a conversation afterwards, and it usually gets boring. This one isn't, but it still opens up for such possibilities.

"Contains much wisdom"

Balsam Karam, author and member of the Alma Prize jury:

"Madicken" – children's classic by Astrid Lindgren.

It's perhaps the best Astrid Lindgren book to read aloud. It's incredibly fine and sits well in the mouth, which is important when reading as an adult.

"Summer Shadow" series – book series written by Tina Mackic.

They're fun illustrated books to read aloud and have really good cliffhangers.

"Action and cliffhangers"

Maria Nilsson Thore, children's book author and illustrator:

"SVJ" and "The Witches" – books by Roald Dahl.

There's something dangerous and exciting about them. They push the boundaries, but still are stories for children.

"Doctor Proctor" series – book series by Jo Nesbø.

They're really fun, they're big adventures. Adventure books in general are great. They have action, exciting worlds, and good cliffhangers. Such books are so good at captivating children.

"Leni is a sugar heart" – picture book by Emma Adbåge.

In picture books, you can be very generous and just pour on all sorts of books, because they're so quick to read. Then you notice what your child gets stuck on.

Balsam Karam:

The Moomin books by Tove Jansson

Martin Hellström:

"The Legend of Sally Jones" by Jakob Wegelius

"The False Rose" by Jakob Wegelius

Maria Nilsson Thore:

"The Golden Compass" series by Philip Pullman

"Stardust" by Neil Gaiman

Boel Westin:

"The Journey to Ugri-La-Brek" by Thomas Tidholm

"Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Actor Bruce Glover, Known for James Bond Role, Dies at 92

Sigge Eklund's Play Bolero Brings
3 MIN READ

Sigge Eklund's Play Bolero Brings Family Drama to Stockholm Stage

Bob Hund's Thomas Öberg Honored
1 MIN READ

Bob Hund's Thomas Öberg Honored with Hassepris for Humanistic Spirit

Roger Daltrey Shares Vision Loss
1 MIN READ

Roger Daltrey Shares Vision Loss News at Charity Concert

Ferry Svan Advances in Let's
2 MIN READ

Ferry Svan Advances in Let's Dance as Ciara Zelmerlöw Exits

Academy Apologizes to Director Hamdan
1 MIN READ

Academy Apologizes to Director Hamdan Ballal After Criticism

Mammas Nya Kille Returns for
1 MIN READ

Mammas Nya Kille Returns for a Ninth Season on Sveriges Radio

Hov1 Expands Farewell Tour with
1 MIN READ

Hov1 Expands Farewell Tour with New Dates in Sweden and Finland

Olympic Champion Sarah Sjöström First
2 MIN READ

Olympic Champion Sarah Sjöström First Out on Masked Singer Sweden

Zelda Film Set for 2027
1 MIN READ

Zelda Film Set for 2027 Release with Live-Action Adventure

Trump's Cultural Moves Mirror Putin's
2 MIN READ

Trump's Cultural Moves Mirror Putin's Tactics, Expert Warns

Frida Edman Takes the Helm
1 MIN READ

Frida Edman Takes the Helm at Gothenburg City Theatre

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
1 MIN READ

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series Surpasses 300 Million Copies Sold

Sanna Samuelsson Wins Swedish Radio's
1 MIN READ

Sanna Samuelsson Wins Swedish Radio's Short Story Prize

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson Releases
1 MIN READ

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson Releases Book with Blake's Grave Soil

Indian Film Debut Shines: All
3 MIN READ

Indian Film Debut Shines: All We Imagine as Light Hits Swedish Cinemas

Kaliffa Launches 31-Stop Summer Tour
1 MIN READ

Kaliffa Launches 31-Stop Summer Tour Across Sweden and Mariehamn

Norén Brothers Tour Continues Without
2 MIN READ

Norén Brothers Tour Continues Without Gustaf as Viktor Leads with Guest Artists

Kent's Legacy Lives On with
1 MIN READ

Kent's Legacy Lives On with Fresh Takes by Emerging Artists

Gorillaz Set to Release New
1 MIN READ

Gorillaz Set to Release New Album in 2025, Confirms Damon Albarn

Paul Lynch's Novel Explores Collapse
4 MIN READ

Paul Lynch's Novel Explores Collapse of Democracy and Human Resilience

Camilla Läckberg Opens Up Family
3 MIN READ

Camilla Läckberg Opens Up Family Life in New Reality Series

Swedish Artists Rally Against Rehearsal
2 MIN READ

Swedish Artists Rally Against Rehearsal Room Closures

Mia Skäringer Returns as Ann-Marie
3 MIN READ

Mia Skäringer Returns as Ann-Marie in New SVT Series Choosing Joy

Trump Targets Museums to Remove
1 MIN READ

Trump Targets Museums to Remove Divisive Narratives and Ideologies

Kent's Farewell Concerts Set New
3 MIN READ

Kent's Farewell Concerts Set New Attendance Record in Stockholm

Sweden's KAJ to Perform Sixth
2 MIN READ

Sweden's KAJ to Perform Sixth in Eurovision Semi-Final 1

Salman Rushdie Unveils New Short
2 MIN READ

Salman Rushdie Unveils New Short Story Collection This November

Benjamin Ingrosso Shines with Three
4 MIN READ

Benjamin Ingrosso Shines with Three Wins at Sweden's Grammis Awards

Sundance Film Festival to Relocate
1 MIN READ

Sundance Film Festival to Relocate from Park City to Boulder in 2027

Reindeer Fawn Leads Bafta Nominations
1 MIN READ

Reindeer Fawn Leads Bafta Nominations with Eight Nods

Afro-Swedish Archive Creator and Cultural
1 MIN READ

Afro-Swedish Archive Creator and Cultural Innovators Win Prestigious Award

Prosecutor Seeks Therapy and Conditional
2 MIN READ

Prosecutor Seeks Therapy and Conditional Sentence for Depardieu

Hellenius Confirms Masked Singer Unchanged
1 MIN READ

Hellenius Confirms Masked Singer Unchanged Despite Divorce Rumors

Academy of Fine Arts Warns
2 MIN READ

Academy of Fine Arts Warns Against Merging Swedish Art Institutions

Swedish Authors Compete for Nordic
1 MIN READ

Swedish Authors Compete for Nordic Council Children's Literature Prize

Culture Minister Liljestrand Reflects on
1 MIN READ

Culture Minister Liljestrand Reflects on Playful Gothenburg Speech

Algerian-French Author Boualem Sansal Sentenced
1 MIN READ

Algerian-French Author Boualem Sansal Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

Benjamin Ingrosso Leads Grammis Gala
3 MIN READ

Benjamin Ingrosso Leads Grammis Gala with Five Nominations

Abba Voyage Setlist Gets a
1 MIN READ

Abba Voyage Setlist Gets a Refresh for Third Anniversary Celebration