25 Days – Book 6: Christmas In Noisy Village

Day 6 brings us a delightful vintage book from 1963 called Christmas in Noisy Village. It is written by the wonderful author of the Pippi Longstocking series, Astrid Lindgren; and beautifully illustrated by Ilon Wikland.

This is a story about 7 children who live in a small town of Sweden and the joys that come around the preparation and celebration of Christmas.

The book is narrated by one of the girls in the group and has a lovely childlike perspective to it – only telling random snippets of the things that occurred and which she loved. There’s baking, lots of snow, a bit of caroling, decorating, wrapping gifts, and so much more. It is a delightfully simple story that overwhelms you with the loveliness of the season and the simpler times I wish we all could get back to.

This is one of 2 picture books about the children of Noisy Village, and they accompany 2 chapter books which tell a bit more about the village, the children, and life in pre-war Sweden in the late 1930s. If you are familiar with Pippi Longstocking, then you probably know and love Astrid Lindgren. These books are even better! The other picture book, Springtime in Noisy Village, I have yet to see in person but I am on the hunt via used bookstores as a new copy sells for $250! Eek!

Astrid Lindgren was a delightful woman and a special author. Her Pippi Longstocking series made her famous, but she also authored these Noisy Village children books and the Karlsson-on-the-Roof series along with a few others. She was born and raised in Sweden, and created characters from her life. She started out as a devoted wife and mother, grew to become a famous author as well as a children’s book editor for Rabén & Sjögren, and later in life became active in current affairs.

Ilon Wikland’s work is absolutely lovely. I honestly just want to hug this book every time I read it. It is one of those books that give you the warm fuzzies and place a grin on your face. Originally from Estonia, Wikland met Lindgren at the publisher, Rabén & Sjögren, and they began a collaboration. She is the artist who illustrated the most Lindgren books. Her style is beautiful with such interesting and fun characters, but with great detailing and rich color. Her illustrations for this book are exactly what a nostalgic Christmas should feel like, even if you didn’t grow up in 1930s Sweden.

Follow along our book adventure at 25 Days of Christmas Books.