Children's libraries
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Astrid Lindgren and child rights
In what ways can Astrid Lindgren’s books be used to achieve the goals laid down in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?
Astrid Lindgren’s books are permeated with a deep humanity, humour and tolerance and encourage empathy with other people and respect for their differences.
"Pippi Longstocking" may serve as a role model for the child in the sense that she is strong, independent and also kind-hearted. Pippi herself says, "If you are very strong, you also have to be very kind". The book is especially empowering for girls, promotes equality between the sexes, and encourages an unconventional, open-minded attitude to life.
"The Brothers Lionheart" covers important issues of death and grief, the battle between good and evil, the price of freedom, the importance of courage even when you are afraid, “otherwise you are just a little rotter”. The book also deals with the struggle for freedom and human rights in a country occupied by a foreign power. All issues that are of great concern to all human beings irrespective of culture, religion and nationality. Like all Astrid Lindgren’s books it shows how alike human beings are on the deepest levels and helps the child to reflect on these issues .
In "Lotta på Bråkmakargatan" ("Lotta leaves home"), Lotta runs away from home. The book teaches the child to see events from different perspectives, giving alternately the points of view of Lotta, her parents and her siblings. The book also shows the parents’ respect for the child, something which is characteristic for all Astrid Lindgren’s books and which is also the basis of the Convention.
The same is true of "The Changeling" by Selma Lagerlöf. A baby is snatched from its parents and substituted with a troll’s baby. The mother takes pity on the changeling, cares for it as if it were her own and refuses to go along with her husband who wants to throw it out. By asking the child “How would you have acted if you had been the mother? How would you have felt if you had been the father? The troll mother? You may help the child to put itself in the shoes of widely different people thus achieving greater understanding and empathy and acceptance of these differences.
To sum up, these books closely reflect the values and goals laid down in the Convention: freedom of expression, respect for other peoples’ points of view, equality of sexes and care for the environment. They teach tolerance and acceptance of differences between peoples and cultures, a tolerance that is the basis of a democratic peaceful society.
The Iraqi Women’s League
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Download the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child!
English version (pdf)
Arabic version (pdf)
Swedish version (pdf)
Drawings by children visiting the libraries in Baghdad
