0la

by Ingri d'Aulaire, Edgar Parin d'Aulaire

Ola is the enchanting story of a dauntless Norwegian boy who goes skiing one day and has many unusual adventures before returning home. He meets new friends, joins a merry wedding party, encounters a howling dragon, and learns bits of folklore from fishermen in the far north while pulling codfish from the icy waters.

This delightfully illustrated book is at once a true glimpse of life as it once was in Norway and a tribute to Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire’s zest for living.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Scandinavian Literature, Classics

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1932

About the author

Ingri d'Aulaire (1904-1980) was an American children's artist and illustrator, who worked in collaboration with her husband and fellow artist, Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. Born Ingri Mortenson in Kongsburg, Norway, she studied art in Norway, Germany and France, and met Edgar Parin d'Aulaire when she was a student in Munich. They married in 1925, and immigrated to the USA shortly thereafter, settling in Brooklyn in 1929. After pursuing separate careers initially, the couple turned to illustrating children's books together, releasing their first collaborative effort, The Magic Rug, in 1931. They settled in Wilton, Connecticut in 1941, and lived there until their deaths in the 1980s. Awarded the 1940 Caldecott Medal for their picture-book biography of Abraham Lincoln, the d'Aulaires published other children's biographies, as well as some notable works on Greek and Norse mythology. (source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging illustrations bring life to the story of Ola’s fantastical adventures through Norway in this imaginative introduction to Norwegian folktales.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it has a much simpler story line, this book reminded me a little of the "My Father's Dragon" series in that it is about a little boy who travels around and has lots of adventure. It is different in that it is set in Norway and though the book is fiction, includes a lot of interesting things about that country.

[Charisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is adorable. Kind of an odd ending, there's not really a point to the story, it's just a fun little adventure through Norway. Which is cool because some of my ancestors were from Norway so it's nice to see a story from there for once. But I really enjoyed its simplicity and whimsy. The artwork is fantastic as well.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the book was originally published in 1932, this reprint shares the adventures of a boy living in Norway. You learn about their customs and beliefs from that time. Beautiful illustrations that alternate between color and black & white.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would buy this book just for the illustrations. Outstanding!

[AnnieM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in the 30s, yet still felt current. It gets a bit wordy, but worth the effort for the excellent illustrations.

[Mel Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art is great. Some interesting events but the plot completely lacks cohesion

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a little Norwegian boy's adventures on a day of skiing.

[Leaflet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful d'Aulaire ilustrations. The aurora borealis illustration alone makes this book worth reading.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story, LOVE the artwork

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of just what I expected. The book even smelled old when we got it out of the library. It's that kind of classic long running narrative in old kid's books that doesn't really seem to go anywhere or teach a lesson per se, but just shows a kid out having adventures and seeing what's out there and then going home. Black and white images throughout, might make it hard to hold the attention of many kids, but my 3.5 paid attention well as we read it through a few times. I had thought it might be a bit more of a moralistic fairy tale, but otherwise it delivers exactly what you'd expect of a Swedish book from the 1930s.

[Forked Radish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seasonal cat relocation sounds so sensible. If you've got your cod, cod liver oil, and eider down you're set for the next simulated solar cycle. The dragon threw me though. Is there any culture without dragons? Were dragons what intoxicated people saw before pink elephants? Come to think of it, I saw a dragon under said circumstances. 🐉
Note: Hulder-maidens were H. sapiens and H. sapiens neanderthalensis hybrids.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations complete the unusual adventure in the far north.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations of the Norway of the folk tales, with the young hero, Ola, experiencing many adventures indeed, with relatively little pillaging along the way.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow Ola as he leaves his cottage surrounded by snow and under the northern lights. Ola’s adventure is strange and magical and gives us a peek into Norwegian culture and folklore.

[Remy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for the story, 5 stars for the illustrations.

[Jack Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic