Astrid Lindgren: The Swedish Author Who Gave the World Pippi Longstocking

By Amy Sinar age 12

When I first read about Astrid Lindgren, I was amazed by how much of an impact one writer could have on children’s literature—not just in Sweden, but all around the world. Best known for creating the iconic character Pippi Longstocking, Lindgren is considered one of the most influential children’s authors of the 20th century.

Astrid Lindgren was born in Sweden in 1907 and grew up in the countryside, which inspired many of her stories. She began writing stories for her daughter Karin during the Second World War, and Pippi Longstocking was born out of one of those bedtime stories. The first Pippi book was published in 1945, and her popularity grew quickly from there.  This means that 2025 is the 80th anniversary of Pippi Longstocking and there are lots of events going on to celebrate.

What makes Pippi such an unforgettable character is her strength, independence, and sense of fun. She lives alone in a house called Villa Villekulla with a monkey and a horse, and does whatever she pleases. She’s kind, brave, and completely unbothered by what adults think of her. At a time when most girl characters were quiet and well-behaved, Pippi stood out as a bold and free-spirited role model.

But Lindgren didn’t just write about Pippi. She wrote over 30 books, including The Brothers Lionheart, Mio, My Son, and Ronja the Robber’s Daughter, each with their own magical worlds and important messages about courage, friendship, and justice. Her writing has been translated into more than 100 languages and adapted into films, plays, and TV series across the globe.

Beyond her books, Lindgren was also known for speaking out on children’s rights and animal welfare. She used her fame to influence Swedish politics, and many admired her for standing up for what she believed in.

Pippi images created by ai.