In English we have no end of good books to chose from, the biggest problem here in Sweden is to get a hold of the good ones! Often the library in Sweden does not have them, and as we are real live "read a paper book and not read on a tablet" family, we have to do a bit of searching.
In Swedish, this task gets even harder.
I am hoping here to update and give a list of good solid books in Swedish that our kids have found healthy and uplifting.
(and link to the books as I post about them).
EVERYTHING IN YELLOW is SUGGESTIONS WE HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO READ OURSELVES YET. Amazing that there is so much new for us to dive into!
CHAPTER BOOKS
We will take the originally Swedish books first of all.
His books and CDs have been published between 1982-2020.
So far we have enjoyed everything we have heard from him.
He is a pastor himself, but has a gift to both keep the kids on the edge of their seats with anticipation while also giving truly good life challenges to kids with making good dec
isions, trusting God, etc.
isions, trusting God, etc.
If you like this book, there are 5 more books and almost 50 CDs available! (Our kids from 5-11 love listening to his storytelling on CD during long car rides).
7 books written between 1945-1951.
This was the first children's book series I read as I was learning Swedish.
You have to figure out some of the words written in dialect, but a wonderful book for kids to see the value of working hard and with a good attitude, despite the life situations.
These make great read-aloud books until the kids get the hang of the way it is written.
There is a respect for God, family, and doing good even when things are terribly hard that will stick with kids as a bit of a life lesson.
He has been writing more than 100 books, from 1979-2009.
Apparently he has a deep Christian faith, but also puts a ideological spin on it and even wants to make Christian ideas come alive for kids through playfulness and humor.
We will have to look more into his theology, but in Sweden, it is always encouraging to know that a children's author has a basic respect for God.
Keep in mind that her books for adults are not to be recommended, considering the occultism and the reflections of her own lesbian lifestyle.
He writes about Ture Sventon, a kind of detective. We will be borrowing and checking up on these ones.
6. Lasse-Maja series by Martin Widmark.
These books keep kids entertained, and are generally family friendly.
More on them soon.
this adventure.
8. I have gotten a tip for books from Anna Andersson, which I have just reserved from the library...we will see if she makes the cut!
10. Pippi Långstrump, If you can purely take this as an imaginary story from another world, then it is playful enough to enjoy. There are certainly ghosts, pirates, and a fair amount of speaking back or disrespectfully.
11. Emil books by Astrid Lindgren seem to be ok, as well as the Saltkråkan books. 
12. Kastrullresan by Edith Unnerstad. I will have to look more into this one!
13. Prostens barnbarn, Morfar Prosten, and more by Eva Bexell
14. Kerstin Arthur Nilsons childrens books. We will definitely be looking into these more.
For example:
Krubban i Krokum
En kompis som Cliff
Frökens pojke
These books came out already in 1953. I have heard about this enough and it is also on our library reservation list.
Looking forward to reading them!
Also from Thorbjörn Tegner, looking forward to reading "Folk och rövare i Kamomilla stad."
17. Muminböckerna
One of her more famous series is "En ettas dagbok" which describes the life of a girl going in first grade. Another of her favorite books is "Robert Karlsson och Kungen."
19. Barnen Hedenförs by Bertil Almkvist
20. Kung Deus gåva av Andréas Andersson, en allegori om syndafallet och försoningen.
And now the international books that have been translated into Swedish.
I have read these multiple times. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I know that if you want to get nitpicky there is the issue of replacement theology that is brought up here, but the main storyline is so amazing and wonderful.
Teach your kids various views on replacement theology in the process and let them see a truly well crafted book with undertones of sanctification and forgiveness!
If you like this one, there are 8 more in the series.
2. Wonder or in Swedish "Undret." by RJ Palacio.
Modern story, 2012, ages 6 and up. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bring your tissues because you will have a hard time seeing the last few pages clearly through the tears, but they are good tears!
What an inspirational book!
3. The Wingfeather Saga, or in Swedish "Mörkret över Aerwiar," By Andrew Peterson. Modern book, written 2008-2014. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The biggest problem here is that with its similiar feeling to the Narnia books by CS Lewis, you will have a hard time putting these four books down!
(The first two are available in Swedish, even from the Library).
If you like this one, there are 4 in the series.
Get swept up in the pioneer life with all it's dangers and excitement and hardship, yet with a deep level of faith in God and investment in family. Well written in Swedish.
If you like this one, there are 9 in the series. 
5. Trädkoja med 13 våningar by Andy Griffiths. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Our kids have really enjoyed these books. When I asked them how they felt afte reading, they said, "I would just like to be able to jump into their treehouse and join them!"
And if you like this book, there are something like 7 more in the series.
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The author is originally from Switzerland and wrote over 50 books, but this was her most famous one.
This might be better as a read-aloud book, but a really beautiful story.
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Everything I have read by her has been thoughtful, Christ focused, and good for children, although it might require more patience in reading than modern books, it is worth it! (these books are bit harder to get your hands on...)
Some books age really well. This book never seems to get old!
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9. Brevet till Kungen by Tonke Dragt is on our list to read!
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It was a LONG time since I have read this, and certainly the kids have not read it at all. I will have to get back to you about this one.
11. Unga Kvinnor by Louisa May Alcott
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You know those books you enjoy so much that you return to them again and again? This is one of those books for me.
Because she is writing from her own life experience, what they go through really rings true. Not a Christian book per se, but very family centered and clean.
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Another one of those books I read as a child. I will get back to you on this one!
13. Lars på Island by Kirsten Bang is also on our to-do list.
The author is from Denmark.
This book is out of print, but easy enough to find online.
15. Sotarpojken by Lisa Tetzner is also on the to-do list!
Imagine that this Swiss/German lady married a Jewish man and ended up fleeing from Hitler and his regime.
She wrote a children's book that had to be censored in 1941 to not offend the Germans!
If you like her work, there are a few other books of hers worth reading.
In my opinion, children do well to be confronted with the sadness of war so they see for themselves how important it is for it not to happen again!
This book is out of print, but easy enough to find online.
We have all seen the movie, but who has read the book! Worthwhile!
This book is out of print, but easy enough to find online.
17. Den Otroliga Vandringen by Sheila Burnford
In english, The Incredible Journey. You might have seen the movie, as I did, and for this one you will also need some tissues!
This book is out of print, but easy enough to find online.
18. Pojken och Lånarna by Mary Norton
In English this is called The Borrowers. Years ago this was a favorite for me to read, and I cannot think of any problematic issues in the book except for the fact that these tiny little people are only able to survive by taking things from the big humans they live with. A bit like ants taking the crumbs from the picnic blanket...
There are a variety of this book, almost a bit of a series. Written more than half a century ago, but somehow timeless and enjoyable for children to read.
19. Bävertecknet by Elizabeth George Speare
This book is out of print, but easy enough to find online.
20. Prinsessan och de underjordiska by George MacDonald,
22. Kristens Resa by John Bunyan
24. Sju Syskon by Ethel Turner. I have not read this one yet, but am looking forward to reviewing it.
till Amerika," "Den långa resan västerut," and "Hemma i det nya landet."
26. I will be looking into Gunnel Lindes book Den olydige ballongen.
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My 11 year old child was really moved by this book. A boy who is burnt on the hand by his own aunt for doing something wrong. He walks miles to get help and faints upon arrival. They help, put him in a children's home, and he makes friends, including lona. Lona
is a Christian. He tells the boy he will
soon die, and they become very good friends.
Lona dies in the end and gives a picture of Jesus wiping away tears and
a Bible verse. This book i based on leprosy doctors working 26 years in Africa.
There is open dialogue about Jeus and God, a good example of respect for others, and a true and inspirational book for kids.
och "Ser du örnarna, Dawit,"
Her books can be found in Second hands or antique stores. For example, more books include: Gud och jag är vänner, Ekorrlejonet, Mannen med
ärret, Kamillas vän.
ärret, Kamillas vän.
29. Ivan by Myrna Grant. Speaks of a Soviet Christian boy.
Mostly available at antique or second hand stores.
30. Urchin av M I McAllistar.
There can be a bit of fighting in here, as the Narnia books, but these have been well recommended!
31. Agaton Sax.
32. Ostindiefarian
33. All the books we have read so far by Enid Blyton show incredible creativity while still retaining a respect for family values, etc.
Fantastisk Fem follow a group of kids as they heroically go about solving mysteries together.
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Our kids also really loved reading her books about the Magic Faraway Tree.
34. Cherry Ames (Sjuksköterskan) by Helen Wells.
35. We will be looking into books from Lois Walfrid Johnson, especially the Windy Hill series.
Only one of her books Främlingen i skogen are available in the library here in Gothenburg, in Swedish.
36. Judy Moody by Megan McDonald.
Fun, lighthearted books. Well worth reading, and kids can easily enjoy reading on their own.
37. Den Hemliga Trädgården by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a classic book that I have read many times as a child.
38. Min Vän Charlotte by E.B. White is also a classic book that is kind and good even when it is sad, and well worth reading for years to come.
39. Det susar i säven by Kenneth Grahame are also wonderful timeless books for kids to enjoy.
40. Små Människor, Stora drömmar, Anne Frank. These books were written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, and puts the holocaust and Anne Franks story in a simpler version for ages 4 and up to be able to handle. Of course the actual book about Anne Frank is a classic too, Gömställe.
Not small kids books but not quite chapter books either.
We are delighted that our favorite children's Bible is in Swedish. (And English, and Spanish, and Arabic.....and more).
It does not just show "good moral lessons" from the Old Testament, but really points to the coming of an awaited Messiah through the Old Testament and into the new. And the small creative freedom the author has taken
2. "Obeskrivlig" by Louie Giglio. In English, "Indescribable."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Written 2017.
This book is also on our library reservation list, but I expect it will be a refreshing Christian view of life and how it works.
3. Alice och Leo och Pärlorna. by Christina Lovestam and Marie Åhfeldt.
We have not read this book yet, but the idea of a bracelet (that can also be given) that explains the gospel through simple colored beads is something that has long been around. Perhaps this book is a pearl in itself to look into!
READ ALOUD BOOKS or FOR SMALLER KIDS
We will take the originally Swedish books first of all.
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Her husband studied theology and was often preaching and writing hymns, combined with the early date of her writing, would lead me to say that these books most certainly pass the test of "no profanity," and generally sound and healthy writing.
Nature, family, and surprisingly for those times women's value are shown through these books.
insight on older days in Sweden, also with some hardships thrown in, but in general fun books to read. Madicken och Junibacken Pims is especially recommended. ⭐⭐
In terms of having a high expectation for books that teach our kids good moral values, we must always point out that plenty of Astrid Lindgrens characters suffer from a bit of wildness and disobedience that is a mixture of innocent curiosity and outright disobedience. I have more than once had to stop in the middle of reading and ask our kids if that behavior was good and wise, or purposefully disobedient.
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These are also books that our kids resound with when they read them, both the idea of longing to be a school kid like an older sibling and even from the older siblings viewpoint seeing down on the younger ones.
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I cannot say comprehensibly, as she has written more than 60 books!
But all in all, our kids really relate with the characters, they are realistic.
5. Pelle Svanslös by Gösta Knutsson. ⭐⭐⭐
This shows peer pressure and bullying in a good way, but
they do not always answer in a Christian way, for example often saying, "he who laughs last laughs best."
Sweet, fun, adventuresome and generally uplifting. A disobedient cat, after all, is something we allow room for. :)
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It highlights a huge family of brothers and sisters, retains a respect for family and parents, and often rhymes which makes the whole book quite singsongy and witty.
8. Saga sagor by Josefine Sundström and Emma Göthner.
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Josefine has written many many books for smaller kids, and as far as we have read, they have been encouraging.
And now the international books that have been translated into Swedish.
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3. Bror Groda och Bror Padda by Arnold Lobel really take on the joys and challenges of friendship, in a sweet way.
SEASONAL or for HOLIDAYS
This is a real treasure, especially towards Easter. Simply written for kids 7 and under.
It looks at the springtime and compares in a sound and good way about new Life with Jesus.
She has also penned some other great books which are available in Swedish, such as "Resan till Julen," and "Hurra, jag ska få ett syskon!"
...and illustrated for some good books, such as "Hela familjens bönbok," "Hela familjens psalmbok."
2. Kommissarie Smart och fallet med den tomma graven, by Michael J. Tinker.
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This book is available both for kids 4-7 or kids 8-11. We read this on Easter with our kids, a 3 year old, 6 year old, and 9 year old.
They really followed well, and could understand the Bibles proof of Jesus resurrection from the dead!
This is a Christmas book, and it does take a bit of liberty with the Bible narrative, but all in all a wonderful uplifting and healthy read.
Our 6, 8, and 11 year old really enjoyed me reading this!
https://andthentheywerethree.blogspot.com/2019/02/boktips.html
Two of our kids have gone through this and enjoyed it. They walk away with a joy at having completed a Bible reading passage that they might not otherwise have read on their own initiative.
If you are unsure about a book that is originally in English, I always go to https://www.pluggedin.com/books/ They give reviews from a Christian perspective both for books, music, and movies. Well worth seeing their response before letting a child dig into something unknown!
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