The late Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren just might be THE children’s author of all time. Yes, of ALL time.

Not only measured by the copies of her books sold and translated (about 145 million total) but also by the enormous impact she has made in the lives of children worldwide, with her heartfelt stories of brave kids. For multiple decades, no less.

She changed the lives of kids enormously, using her stories to help adults understand kids better. And not only in her native Sweden but all over the world.

photo credit: Nesster

Pippi Longstocking, The Brothers Lionheart, Karlsson-on-the-roof… all part of children’s lore and fantasies everywhere by now.

Her influence was enormous during her own lifetime (a respectable 94 years, actively writing almost to the very end of her life), but the thoughts she introduced were also very far reaching. Sometimes almost revolutionary, as in too much for adults…

Consider this bright thought of hers I recently heard on some television documentary:

“Watching even one more hour of TV is too much for kids,
as it comes out of their free playing time.”

How true is that even today! One extra hour of free playing, outdoor games or reading great stories or rhymes is valuable as gold for kids. Because too often they’re unable to use their imagination, being overly scheduled during their day at school or daycare.

To sum it up: One extra hour of unrestricted fantasy per day creates outright miracles in a kid’s life!

I dare you to try it with yours.

I say it’s time to switch off the television and grab one of my family’s favorite books, The Brothers Lionheart by Lindgren. Let the brothers take us on a journey through the beautiful valleys and mountains of Nangijala, and guide us to make more bold choices in our own lives!

Bold choices for ourselves… and for the future of our children.

Thank you, Astrid.

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