The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

by Kochka, Olivier Latyk (Illustrations), Selma Lagerlöf

When Nils makes the mistake of teasing an elf, he is bewitched with a spell that shrinks him to the size of a thumb. He takes off on the back of a young goosey-gander named Martin, for a wonderful journey among the wild geese.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Sweden, International, Classics

64 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2015

About the author

Kochka vit dans la Sarthe. Auteure de romans, dont Le voyage de Fatimzahra chez Flammarion jeunesse. Elle s’est approprié avec brio ce conte des Mille et Une nuits, comme elle l’a déjà fait avec les Classiques Les Musiciens de Brême, Raiponce ou encore les albums Le joueur de flûte de Hamelin des frères Grimm, ainsi que Bambi de Felix Salten. Elle a également écrit Frères d’exil, roman illustré par Tom Haugomat.

Reviews

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is ADORABLE. I love love love the illustration style, and the story was very cute too (though a bit episodic at times). It is a quick read and I think it would make a fantastic read-aloud. What child wouldn't want to read about a little boy who is shrunk by an elf and then goes on a migration with the geese? Highly recommended.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book itself is beautiful with pretty illustrations and some very detailed cut outs here and there. However, the story is weird. It's been adapted from a fairly large book and it's just very choppy and awkward. It definitely reads like an translation (which it is). It's just not pleasant to read and the storyline/episodes are so weird that I'm not sure why this was ever condensed into such a short version—it must need quite a bit more text/development for it to sound right.

It sort of reminds me of a Swedish Gulliver's Travels...lots of strange and unreal experiences. It has the potential to be charming, but whether it's just some cultural barriers or a a lot of formatting/adaptation/translation barriers, I just did not enjoy it. One of these days I'll take on the full length version, but, to be honest, this did make make me eager for it.

We learned about this book because of perfectly whimsical sculpture of Nils on his goose by Richard Bock in a historic home here in the Twin Cities. I was totally captivated by the idea of this story but this version did me wrong.

[Giulia✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book one day, didn't read it for literally months, and finished it a second day. It is a remarkably gorgeous book, the illustrations and colours are delightful and the cut out pages are wonderful. I wasn't quite as enchanted by the story, but it would be a lovely gift book for a child.

[Cstrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations, particularly the papercut pages sprinkled throughout, were lovely.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a neat way for a child to explore Sweden.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this as part of our unit on Sweden and loved it. It's a beautifully charming fairy tale about a mischievious young farm boy who gets shrunk to elf size and accompanies a flock of wild geese on their annual migration; along the way he learns to become kind, brave, and think of others. We loved the opportunity to learn a little about Sweden's animals and geography (complete with map at back of book). The pictures are lovely and the intricate paper-cuts that were included delighted both of us.

Miss 6 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Nazta · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a children book, this book gave me a real wonderful adventure story. The story is about a boy, Nils, who suddenly transported into a tiny little tumbletot by an elf. In order to come back to his normal life, Nils have to protect Martin the white goose in their adventure.

The book itself has short chapters which I think would be nice to read as a bedtime story. Also, it has a unique paper cut pattern that gave me another experience in reading book.

[Kristal · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most gorgeous books I have ever seen- the cut outs are works of art and I love the illustrations. Cute story about a boy turned very small and who makes friends with geese and goes on so many adventures.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic story from Sweden made accessible to all with beautiful, engaging illustrations.

[Jacopo Moretti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Semplicemente fantastico. Si torna bambini, meravigliati e avventurosi.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was the original book but apparently I was wrong. It was a cute children’s book but I’m looking forward to reading the original translated work

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The intricate cutouts and limited palette make this version feel like a modern and special retelling of a classic.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We abandoned the audio-book version as it was too hard to listen to and too long to follow. But we picked up the story again with this version. The primary color illustrations are a simple background for the beautiful paper cut overlays. Our boys are now delighted to follow the journey of Nils, the young goosey-gander named Martin, the wild geese and other forest animals.

"The old goose looked at him: 'It looks like you think we're not going to see each other again.' Taking the boy's face between her winds she whispered: 'See you tomorrow...'" (p. 55)

"When his mother opened her arms and squeezed him tight against her, Nils understood that he had returned to his normal size!" (p. 59)

[Palinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ceritanya bagus. Mirip kayak cerita di buku-buku yang saya baca waktu SD. Tentang anak yang berperilaku kurang baik lalu mengalami hal-hal yang membuat dirinya belajar dan berubah menjadi baik. Ilustrasinya juga bagus. Nggak nyesel keracunan kurasinya Kak S!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread this classic from childhood before giving a copy to a friend with a kid. Loved this new version with the cool cutout illustrations.