Karlsson-on-the-Roof

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Karlsson-on-the-Roof
Karlsson-on-the-Roof
Karlsson Flies Again
Karlsson-on-the-Roof is Sneaking Around Again
Author Astrid Lindgren
Original title Karlsson på taket
Country Sweden
Language Swedish
Media type Print (hardcover and paperback)

Karlsson-on-the-Roof (Swedish: Karlsson på taket) is a fictional character in a series of children's books created by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. The cartoon adaptation became popular in the USSR with its release in the 1970s. To this day, the adaptations are still celebrated as an integral part of the Russian cartoon industry, with Karlsson being recognised as a national icon, together with Cheburashka and other such characters.

Astrid Lindgren might have borrowed the idea from a similar story about Mr. O’Malley in the comic strip ”Barnaby” (1942) by Crockett Johnson.[1]

Plot overview

Karlsson is a very short, very portly and overconfident man who lives in a small house hiding behind a smokestack on the roof of a very ordinary apartment building, on a very ordinary street in Stockholm. When Karlsson pushes a button on his stomach it starts a clever little motor with a propeller on his back allowing him to fly. Karlsson is the best at everything, at least according to himself. But there is, in fact, one thing at which he excels: being a playmate to a young boy named Lillebror (little brother) who lives in this house with his family.

Karlsson is quite mischievous, often getting Lillebror in trouble, but everyone in the end - even Lillebror's family, his cranky uncle, and their dour housekeeper - grow to like Karlsson and appreciate his sense of humour, energy, and good nature.

Series

There are three Karlsson-on-the-Roof books:

  • 1955: Karlsson-on-the-Roof (ISBN 0670411779)
  • 1962: Karlsson Flies Again
  • 1968: Karlsson-on-the-Roof is Sneaking Around Again

Adaptations

The characters from the Soviet animated film directed by Boris Stepantsev depicted on a Russian stamp, 2012.

There have been several film versions of this series. A live-action version, Världens bästa Karlsson, was released in Sweden 1974, followed by a more recent animated film released in 2002.

The two Soviet animated films, directed by Boris Stepantsev at Soyuzmultfilm studio in 1968 and 1970, are two of the most[citation needed] celebrated and loved cartoons in Russia and other countries of the former USSR. Karlsson was voiced by Vasily Livanov and Fröken Hildur Bock was voiced by Faina Ranevskaya in both animated films. In 1971, the character was also adapted on the Soviet stage at Moscow's famed Satire Theatre, where Karlsson was portrayed by People's Artist of USSR Spartak Mishulin.

Criticism

Karlsson's antics earned him the ire of some traditional educators and parents, who believed Karlsson would incite young children to disobey authority, and mistrust and fear babysitters.

Merchandise

Lev Razumovsky, Russian sculptor, created a Karlsson toy [2] in the 1970s.

References

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