I know that’s not really the way the saying goes, but in this case I think you should.

Magical stories

Growing up in Scandinavia, books by Astrid Lindgren were as big a part of my life as long winters and never ending days in summer. Her books were read to me before I could read, I read them myself after, and the iconic characters came to life in TV series and movies. 

Who doesn’t love Pippi, Emil and The Brothers Lionheart?

But one story that stuck with me and that I read over and over, was the story of Mio, from “Mio, My Son” published in 1954. A lonely adopted boy, finding a genie in a bottle, is whisked away to Farawayland and meets his father, the king. All seems well at first – he is the prince, he finds a friend and he gets a horse – but danger is looming on the horizon. The stone-hearted knight Kato has kidnapped children, and Mio must face all his fears and help rescue them. 

A true storyteller

Noone will dispute the storytelling capabilities of Astrid Lindgren. Often delving into deep and perhaps scary themes like evil and death, she has captivated adults and children alike for decades. But the hero in this article isn’t Lindgren, but Ilon Wikland, the illustrator of many of Lindgrens books. She was born in Estonia and fled for Sweden during the second world war. In 1953 she got a job as an illustrator at a publisher – who happened to be Lindgrens publisher – and was hired by Lindgren to illustrate her brand new book Mio, My Son. A long friendship and work collaboration began, both champions of their own craft. 

Just look!

I remember these drawings from when I was a child. Not in an intellectual or technical way, but as a feeling – in my heart and my gut. The happiness of Mio when he finds his new home, his friend and his horse. The sadness when he learns about the missing children, and the terror of the black spies and the stone-hearted Kato. Simple black and white ink drawings that hold so much emotion in every stroke. Drawings you can feel. 

Wikland is a true master of storytelling with images, she captures feelings and emotions so believable, seemingly effortlessly, and paired with Lindgrens words you have a recipe for success that has lasted for 70 years. 

For more info on Astrid Lindgren and Ilon Wikland, have a look at their official websites. And if you haven’t read Mio, My Son yet, hurry to the library and borrow a copy!