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A Calf For Christmas
Johan is delighted when he stumbles upon a calf by the roadside ditch, certain that he has solved his poor family's problems, but when he goes to his rich neighbor to buy milk for the calf, he discovers the calf's true owner
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1951
44 people want to read
About the author
Astrid Lindgren
1,236 books3,872 followersAstrid Anna Emilia Lindgren, née Ericsson, (1907 - 2002) was a Swedish children's book author and screenwriter, whose many titles were translated into 85 languages and published in more than 100 countries. She has sold roughly 165 million copies worldwide. Today, she is most remembered for writing the Pippi Longstocking books, as well as the Karlsson-on-the-Roof book series.
Awards:
Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (1958)
Awards:
Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (1958)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 12, 2018
"The snow fell and fell. When Johan came out on the front steps in the morning, he stood there a moment and just looked at it... It was so quiet - almost as if the whole world lay dead under a blanket of snow - the whole farm, the whole country, the whole of Sweden, the whole world! Not truly dead, however. Somewhere far away, a sound was heard."
So begins this beautifully-told and beautifully-illustrated picture-book, originally published in Astrid Lindgren's native Sweden as När bäckhultarn for till stan. Johan, who lives on a small farm with his parents, is terribly cast down by the death of their only cow, Emma. Not only is this a great economic blow for his impoverished family, but it is also an emotional loss, as Emma had been a beloved companion. "She had been so alive... and so kind," Johan recalls, thinking of their fun together in the green of summer. "But she was dead now. Completely dead." Filled with a sense of resentment, and of anger at God, Johan wonders why their only cow should have been taken, when their neighbor Peter Jonsson, who has so many cows, never seems to have suffered any misfortune. Peter Jonsson, in the meantime, heads to town for a day of indulgence, returning home late at night, dead drunk and toting a baby calf he had just purchased. Then the calf is lost (tossed off the sleigh) in a moment of mad (drunken) misunderstanding, and is found the next day by Johan, who believes that God has answered his entreaties. When the truth is uncovered, what will it mean for Johan, and for this Christmas calf he has found...?
A lovely, lovely book, A Calf for Christmas has all the hallmarks of author Astrid Lindgren's work: a respect for young people, their feelings and their intellectual capacity; and a commitment to a humane kind of realism, in which characters display significant flaws (such as drinking too much) but have significant redeeming qualities (such as kindness to children). I really appreciated the lyrical quality of the writing here - kudos to translator Barbara Lucas! - and the sensitivity Lindgren displays, in exploring Johan's feelings, both about Emma and about God. Given that the latter has practically disappeared from children's books published by mainstream presses here in the US (despite not disappearing from the majority's of young people's lives), I found that particularly welcome, and had to smile with sympathy at the hero's reasoning, in this regard. When he opines that "he knew very well that Dad was right when he said the little calf could not replace Emma. But that didn't really matter. You couldn't ask that God throw down a full-grown cow," I almost laughed aloud. There is this way that Lindgren captures the simultaneously mistaken and wise nature of child thinking here that is immensely appealing.
As wonderful as the text here is - and it is a true pleasure! - the artwork by illustrator Marit Törnqvist is every bit as lovely. She captures the pale beauty of the Swedish countryside in winter, and contrasts it nicely with the warmer tones of interior scenes, and red farm buildings. Her people and animals are marvelously captured, and full of emotion. Here is the scene at the beginning of the book, as Johan looks out onto a snowy world:
And here is Johan with his Christmas calf:
Just beautiful! Highly, highly recommended, to anyone who appreciates well-written, beautifully-illustrated picture-books, although potential readers should be aware that this is a text-heavy example of the form, and that while this is Christmasy in its setting and spirit, it isn't particularly Christmassy in its story-line.
So begins this beautifully-told and beautifully-illustrated picture-book, originally published in Astrid Lindgren's native Sweden as När bäckhultarn for till stan. Johan, who lives on a small farm with his parents, is terribly cast down by the death of their only cow, Emma. Not only is this a great economic blow for his impoverished family, but it is also an emotional loss, as Emma had been a beloved companion. "She had been so alive... and so kind," Johan recalls, thinking of their fun together in the green of summer. "But she was dead now. Completely dead." Filled with a sense of resentment, and of anger at God, Johan wonders why their only cow should have been taken, when their neighbor Peter Jonsson, who has so many cows, never seems to have suffered any misfortune. Peter Jonsson, in the meantime, heads to town for a day of indulgence, returning home late at night, dead drunk and toting a baby calf he had just purchased. Then the calf is lost (tossed off the sleigh) in a moment of mad (drunken) misunderstanding, and is found the next day by Johan, who believes that God has answered his entreaties. When the truth is uncovered, what will it mean for Johan, and for this Christmas calf he has found...?
A lovely, lovely book, A Calf for Christmas has all the hallmarks of author Astrid Lindgren's work: a respect for young people, their feelings and their intellectual capacity; and a commitment to a humane kind of realism, in which characters display significant flaws (such as drinking too much) but have significant redeeming qualities (such as kindness to children). I really appreciated the lyrical quality of the writing here - kudos to translator Barbara Lucas! - and the sensitivity Lindgren displays, in exploring Johan's feelings, both about Emma and about God. Given that the latter has practically disappeared from children's books published by mainstream presses here in the US (despite not disappearing from the majority's of young people's lives), I found that particularly welcome, and had to smile with sympathy at the hero's reasoning, in this regard. When he opines that "he knew very well that Dad was right when he said the little calf could not replace Emma. But that didn't really matter. You couldn't ask that God throw down a full-grown cow," I almost laughed aloud. There is this way that Lindgren captures the simultaneously mistaken and wise nature of child thinking here that is immensely appealing.
As wonderful as the text here is - and it is a true pleasure! - the artwork by illustrator Marit Törnqvist is every bit as lovely. She captures the pale beauty of the Swedish countryside in winter, and contrasts it nicely with the warmer tones of interior scenes, and red farm buildings. Her people and animals are marvelously captured, and full of emotion. Here is the scene at the beginning of the book, as Johan looks out onto a snowy world:
And here is Johan with his Christmas calf:
Just beautiful! Highly, highly recommended, to anyone who appreciates well-written, beautifully-illustrated picture-books, although potential readers should be aware that this is a text-heavy example of the form, and that while this is Christmasy in its setting and spirit, it isn't particularly Christmassy in its story-line.
December 15, 2018
Christmas is mentioned in the title, but this is more about daily life in a Swedish village than it is about the Christmas season.
In the first paragraph, young Johan is introduced. He's sad because the family's milk cow has died. (None of the other Christmas stories on my shelves start with a death.) Sadness has settled on the family.
Then there's a discontinuity, which would be the start of a new chapter if this were a chapter book. Peter Johnson, a good-natured farmer makes his appearance. Every now and then, when he comes to town, he likes to enjoy himself, which he does with bottle in hand. Another heavy topic for a Christmas tale.
Yep. This story will give kids something to ponder, which is always good. But I think I like the art even more than the story. Tornqvist adds details to the images, which give insight into rural life.
This book is definitely a keeper.
In the first paragraph, young Johan is introduced. He's sad because the family's milk cow has died. (None of the other Christmas stories on my shelves start with a death.) Sadness has settled on the family.
Then there's a discontinuity, which would be the start of a new chapter if this were a chapter book. Peter Johnson, a good-natured farmer makes his appearance. Every now and then, when he comes to town, he likes to enjoy himself, which he does with bottle in hand. Another heavy topic for a Christmas tale.
Yep. This story will give kids something to ponder, which is always good. But I think I like the art even more than the story. Tornqvist adds details to the images, which give insight into rural life.
This book is definitely a keeper.
November 25, 2011
I love that Astrid Lindgren isn't afraid to touch upon the darker sides of life. This story starts off with a family being upset over the death of their only cow Emma. It's extremely touching to hear about how much they loved her. The story goes on to talk about drunkenness and seeing the devil when you're drunk. Not just your average children's book. Brave, realistic and touching. All for the love of a cow.
January 3, 2020
ja veel üks armas jutuke, mida eesti keeles pole minu teada välja antud.
Lindgrenil on nii üldises plaanis kaht sorti raamatud/jutud - need, kus kõik on algusest lõpuni hubane ja pigem realistlik (Bullerby, Blomkvist, Soolavares, Madiken, Emil, Lotta...) ja siis need, kus lapsi tabavad kohutavad kannatused ja traagika, enne kui toimub järsk pööre paremuse ja õnne poole (Mio, Lõvisüdamed, enamus lühijutte). see on see viimane sort, draamat on omajagu.
hea südamega rikas joodik on küll huvitav tegelaskuju, kellesarnast maailmakirjandusest teist ei meenu.
Törnqvisti pildid jälle nii ilusad, et isegi Wikland poleks paremini suutnud.
Lindgrenil on nii üldises plaanis kaht sorti raamatud/jutud - need, kus kõik on algusest lõpuni hubane ja pigem realistlik (Bullerby, Blomkvist, Soolavares, Madiken, Emil, Lotta...) ja siis need, kus lapsi tabavad kohutavad kannatused ja traagika, enne kui toimub järsk pööre paremuse ja õnne poole (Mio, Lõvisüdamed, enamus lühijutte). see on see viimane sort, draamat on omajagu.
hea südamega rikas joodik on küll huvitav tegelaskuju, kellesarnast maailmakirjandusest teist ei meenu.
Törnqvisti pildid jälle nii ilusad, et isegi Wikland poleks paremini suutnud.
June 30, 2024
Astrid Lindgren is one of my favorite children's author. A Calf for Christmas is a beautiful story of people who are rich in some ways, poor in other ways. Johann, a young boy, is sad because the family cow and milk producer died recently. He finds a calf in the snow and is overjoyed. With the help of his father he learns he must do the right thing. What happens next is magical in this lovely holiday picture book.
December 5, 2020
Not for everyone- about a little boy who is angry at God for taking their cow, poverty, and also alcoholism.
You might be thinking- What is there to like about that?!
I was happy about a book that wasn't all gumdrops and lollipops.
December 31, 2024
A darling story with a lot of humor in it in which a very wealthy man gives a perfect Christmas present to a very poor boy in exchange for his silence. Don’t worry, it’s a very innocent and felt-good story. My kids love it!
December 15, 2025
2025 Christmas books. Strange, and not at all the typical Christmas story. Which we appreciated. Certainly not one to run out and buy, but as i found it used and appreciate Astrid Lindgren, this was fine.
February 13, 2023
Johans familj förlorade sin ko och endast ett vinter mirakel kan hjälpa dem
November 30, 2024
A charming story set in Sweden.
July 20, 2016
Mysig bok med så himla fina bilder!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews