Sweden: Ocean liners, penguins, and phantom cats – the best children's and young adult books right now
Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- A Swedish newspaper highlights five top children's and young adult books currently available.
- The list includes a graphic novel about a sinking ship, a picture book about overcoming fear, and a punk-themed youth novel.
- Other selections feature a nighttime adventure and a humorous ghost story set in a hotel.
Dagens Nyheter's children's and young adult critics have curated a list of their five favorite books from the current publishing season, offering a diverse range of stories for young readers.
A deeply original and heartwarming graphic novel, about the brave fox cub Rusty who must take matters into his own hands when the peculiar ocean liner he lives on begins to sink.
Leading the selection is Lena Frölander-Ulf's "Lysinea," a graphic novel recommended for ages 9 and up. This deeply original and heartwarming story follows Rusty, a brave fox cub who must take matters into his own hands when the peculiar ocean liner he inhabits begins to sink. The book is lauded for its artistic style and engaging narrative.
For younger readers aged 3 and up, "Simfågeln" (The Diving Bird) by Kjersti Annesdatter Skomsvold and Mari Kanstad Johnsen is featured. This colorful picture book explores the theme of overcoming fears, as a young penguin named Ella is reluctant to learn how to swim. The story encourages children to cast off their anxieties and take the plunge.
It's time to go to the beach, but the penguin chick Ella isn't too keen on learning to swim. 'Simfågeln' is a colorful picture book about shedding your fears and daring to dive in.
"Honey Darling" by Yrsa Walldén, suitable for ages 12 and up, is highlighted as a punk-infused, driven, and fun youth novel. It tells the story of Signy and Tone, seventh graders who decide to form a rock band, challenging stage fright and societal hierarchies.
Punkish, driven, and fun youth book about defying both stage fright and hierarchies.
Rounding out the list are "Kurran och Pigan i natten" (Kurran and Pigan in the Night) by Lisa Moroni, a beautifully illustrated picture book for ages 3 and up about two forest friends embarking on a nocturnal adventure filled with unexpected encounters and shooting stars. Finally, "Hotell Havsörnen" (Hotel Sea Eagle) by Tove Berggren and Marcus-Gunnar Pettersson, recommended for ages 6 and up, is a humorous chapter book about a hotel threatened with closure, populated by ghosts and three-legged phantom cats. The critics describe it as the year's kindest ghost story.
Beautifully illustrated picture book about unexpected encounters, shooting stars, and bats.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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