Title: Pippi in the South Seas
Author: Astrid Lindgren
Series: Pippi Longstocking, book 3
Major Themes: Tall Tales, Childhood
Synopsis: A delightful tall tale about a spunky little girl who has unusual strength—and an unusual ability to find adventure in everyday life.
My youngest sister, now five years old, just passed the mark several months ago of moving from mostly preferring longer picture books to wanting short chapter books read to her. I’ve been letting her choose her bedtime story, and her most recent choice was Pippi in the South Seas. Mom read Pippi Longstocking aloud to both of my younger sisters not so long ago, and that made a good impression. She was thrilled that we got to read this, and we chuckled our way through this humorous story—up until the time the older boys found out what we were reading, and asked that I read it where they could hear, and then there were guffaws at some of Pippi’s antics!
Publisher’s description:
When Pippi’s father, the king, sends for her, she decides to take her best friends Tommy and Annika with her to Kurrekurredutt Island. The island is fantastic and Pippi has one crazy adventure after another! Pippi is even made a princess—Princess Pippilotta. But will Pippi and her friends really want to live on the island forever, never to return to Villa Villekulla?
My thoughts:
This book has always been dear to my heart. It’s crazy, ridiculous, and generally a lot of fun, the kind that can be shared and appreciated by the whole family. Pippi and her friends get into some rather tough scrapes, but due to Pippi’s ingenuity—and a good dose of luck—they always manage to scrape by, sometimes with rather spectacular results!
Astrid Lindgren, I’ve found, does a wonderful job at writing realistic characters, especially children. While these books are not realistic in the fact that Pippi is extraordinarily strong and able to care for herself from a young age, the way she interacts with others, and the way other children interact in the story, are realistic. They aren’t trying to be adults before their time, and tend to take life as it comes, living in and enjoying the moment, whatever that looks like. I love that. As a child, I enjoyed reading about the adventures Pippi got up to, and now as an adult, I love the way these children are, simply, children—with few troubles, and a decent amount of respect for the adults in their lives.
If you don’t mind tall tales and have children who enjoy adventure stories (mostly of the found-at-home variety), Pippi in the South Seas and the whole Pippi Longstocking series could be the perfect thing for you. My siblings and I have always loved these books, and I have no doubts that they will remain a treasured part of our library for many years to come.
WARNING: Pippi frequently tells tall tales, but is often called out on it and generally admits she’s lying. Chapter 3: Good heavens. Chapter 8: I’ll swear, child almost eaten by a shark. Chapter 9: People swear or curse several times (no specific words used), for heaven’s sake.
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 5 – 8, 8 – 12, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 7 – 9, 8 – 12
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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