Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking

Astrid Lindgren (1907–2002), one of the most widely read children’s book authors in the world, was born on a farm outside Vimmerby, Sweden. In her lifetime she wrote 34 chapter books and 41 picture books, which have sold 200 million copies and been translated into more than 100 languages. Lindgren and her memorable characters are truly beloved the world over.

Nurtured by her parents to develop a love of books and storytelling, Lindgren applied her imagination and creativity to the world of literature. A natural-born writer, Lindgren published her first story in the Vimmerby Times at age 13 and, after finishing school, began writing for the local publication.

But Lindgren’s talents extended far beyond writing. As her career progressed she flourished into a committed humanist and independent thinker who fought for the rights of children and for gender equality and animal welfare, to name but a few of her favourite causes. She held her beliefs with courage, as well as humour and love.

Based on her personal convictions, it’s no surprise that Lindgren went on to create a character who is the strongest and bravest little girl in the world. Pippi Longstocking was named by Lindgren’s daughter Karin, who asked her mother for a get-well story when she was home sick from school. Lindgren improvised a tale of a girl with superhuman strength, a pet monkey, and a horse that lives on the porch of her brightly coloured house. Throughout the book series, Pippi has many adventures and she challenges authority figures with her wit, courage, and humour, often outsmarting thieves and bullies.

Pippi’s popularity spread across the globe, and she has become a symbol of freedom, imagination, and humour for generations of children. Pippi has also inspired countless authors, artists, activists, and fans who admire her courage, independence, and creativity.

When Lindgren began her career as an author, she always wrote her manuscripts in shorthand first, and didn’t type them out until she was satisfied that she had the final version of the text. She left a large collection of shorthand pads in her personal archive which is now at the Royal Library in Stockholm.

Reproduced here is Lindgren’s shorthand draft of a Pippi Longstocking story alongside illustrations of Pippi and her unmistakable house on a pink and mint green background. We are thrilled to bring Astrid Lindgren and her iconic story of Pippi Longstocking to our Embellished Manuscripts Collection.