Mrs. Pepperpot's Outing

Mrs. Pepperpot

by Alf Prøysen, Björn Berg (illustrator)

You remember Mrs. Pepperpot? She's the little old woman who lives on a hillside in Norway and has the habit of shrinking to the size of a pepperpot at the most inconvenient moments.

In this adventure Mrs. Pepperpot shrinks five times (which is very unusual), and it just so happens that when she is tiny, she can speak with animals. This proves to be handy because as the day proceeds, she meets four animals who have a story to tell.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Classics, Fantasy, Chapter Books, Scandinavian Literature

90 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Alf Prøysen (23 July 1914 – 23 November 1970), was a writer and musician from Norway. His Mrs. Pepperpot books established him as a children's author. Prøysen was one of the most important Norwegian cultural personalities in the second half of the twentieth century, and he made significant contributions to literature, music, TV and radio.

Reviews

[Cheryl A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Scandinavian children's books. This is actually not as old, or even old-fashioned, as it looks. Rather, it's timeless, heartwarming, and very funny.

I am intrigued by the title page credit, not 'translated by...' but 'retold by Marianne Helweg.' I know a lot of translations to American English have different degrees of bowdlerization, so I suspect something was left out of this... perhaps something silly but 'naughty' or perhaps something considered as too dependent on Norwegian sensibilities.

I hope to read the other Pepperpot stories that have been preserved at openlibrary, too.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the first story was very long, there were cycles of story within the story, telling of near disaster for all involved. The rest of it is also very sweet. The other books in the series are well worth it, too.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved as a child.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book with a sweet character. I didn't read this as a kid, but wanted to see if it would be good for my children. Can't wait to read it to them.

[Catherine Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Mrs. Pepperpot books as a child so I bought and read this for nostalgia reasons. The Mrs. Pepperpot stories were fun but I didn't like the Gapy Gob story.

[Melissa Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me and my boys are loving this book! Mrs. Pepperpot is a quirky, animal loving little lady. Super easy read and great for younger children.

[Kerrie Dunn-Christensen]

Going to back to the old classic's I used to read as a child, I have just shared this with my 7 year old.
The books is made up of 4 different stories, 1 long and 3 short. Josie enjoyed the 'feel good' factor of the stories and liked predicting how Mrs Pepperpot could get out of the sticky situations she found herself in.

The Author, Alf Proysen has a similar style of writing to Enid Blyton in the Faraway Tree series..

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such sweet stories with old fashioned morals in it. A nice book to read to children between the ages of 3 and 6.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

One long story as opposed to others with a collection of short stories. A bit predictable.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There aren't any kids in this story, just an old couple and four animals -- a kitten, a piglet, a puppy, and a chicken. When my nephew is 4 years old, we'll read this together, and I'm betting he'll like it. (Although he'll probably ask lots of questions that start with "Why ...")

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A feeling time forgot. Cute story.