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Tomten #1
The Tomten
No one knows when he came to the farm, no one has ever seen him, but everyone knows it is the troll Tomten who walks about the lonely old farmhouse on a winter's night, talking to all the animals and reminding them of the promise of Spring.
Adapted by Astrid Lindgren from a poem by Viktor Rydberg
Adapted by Astrid Lindgren from a poem by Viktor Rydberg
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
30 people are currently reading
1632 people want to read
About the author
Astrid Lindgren
1,227 books3,941 followersAstrid Anna Emilia Lindgren, née Ericsson, (1907 - 2002) was a Swedish children's book author and screenwriter, whose many titles were translated into 85 languages and published in more than 100 countries. She has sold roughly 165 million copies worldwide. Today, she is most remembered for writing the Pippi Longstocking books, as well as the Karlsson-on-the-Roof book series.
Awards:
Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (1958)
Awards:
Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (1958)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
December 13, 2019
The Tomten steals about the farm offering gentle reassurance with his steady calm and comforting ways. A soothing nighttime read.
April 21, 2018
It's official. . . I'm obsessed with Astrid Lindgren. I just ordered every possible title that I do not possess from the library, then ordered the remaining books from Amazon. (In case my husband reads this review, I would like to add that I was able to find MOST of her work at the library).
I want to read everything Ms. Lindgren wrote, whether it's for adults, children or animals. Or aliens.
This is actually a re-telling of the poem The Tomten by Viktor Rydberg and is illustrated by Harald Wiberg (rather than Ilon Wikland), and it is a TOTAL DELIGHT.
A little tomten, who looks like a little gnome to this American, only appears at night, but "no one has seen the tomten." Only his footprints can be seen in the morning snow.
The tomten is a little guy with a big heart who calms all of the farm animals at night, and one of the illustrations of him tending to a cold dog in his kennel actually brought tears to my eyes.
This book has the calm, quiet power of Margaret Wise Brown's Big Red Barn and Jan Brett's The Mitten and my girls did not speak through the read.
They let Ms. Lindgren cast her spell in peace.
I want to read everything Ms. Lindgren wrote, whether it's for adults, children or animals. Or aliens.
This is actually a re-telling of the poem The Tomten by Viktor Rydberg and is illustrated by Harald Wiberg (rather than Ilon Wikland), and it is a TOTAL DELIGHT.
A little tomten, who looks like a little gnome to this American, only appears at night, but "no one has seen the tomten." Only his footprints can be seen in the morning snow.
The tomten is a little guy with a big heart who calms all of the farm animals at night, and one of the illustrations of him tending to a cold dog in his kennel actually brought tears to my eyes.
This book has the calm, quiet power of Margaret Wise Brown's Big Red Barn and Jan Brett's The Mitten and my girls did not speak through the read.
They let Ms. Lindgren cast her spell in peace.
November 25, 2021
It is a long winter's night, and the Tomten (a small, ancient gnome, who lives quietly and mostly unnoticed on a remote Swedish farm) awakens. He watches over the farm's livestock, encouraging the winter-weary animals with the promise of spring (talking to them in Tomten language, a silent language that the farm animals, from cows to barn cats, are able to understand). The farmer and his wife, although also under the Tomten's watchful eyes, are unaware of the Tomten's presence and unable to understand Tomten language, although if their children were awake, they would be able to perceive the Tomten and comprehend his language. Throughout the night, the Tomten continues making his rounds, and as long as there are people and animals on the farm, he will faithfully keep watch over them, night after night, season after season, year after year, continuously repeating.
Astrid Lindgren's The Tomten exhibits a sparse, sweetly poetic, but also somewhat repetitive narrative style. For some, the repetitiveness of the text might well seem a trifle monotonous, but for me, it gives this little gem of a story a wonderful and palpable sense of security, of hope for the coming of spring. In many ways, The Tomten reads and feels almost like a magical lullaby, conveying peace, love and protection (like a fluffy blanket, or cozy hearth, the Tomten's words surround the reader, the listener with magic, warmth and kindness). And Harald Wiberg's luminous, at times almost mystical accompanying illustrations are a perfect complement to Astrid Lindgren's poetically warming and calming narrative, demonstrating a similar sense of peace, of magical, fairytale-like serenity. I recommend The Tomten for children interested in The Little People (and it would be the perfect bedtime story for a winter's evening, peaceful, relaxing, hopeful).
Astrid Lindgren adapted the text of The Tomten from Viktor Ryberg's 1881 poem Tomten (the gnome). Although not essential (and basically this is just my own academic curiosity speaking), I think it would have been enlightening and of interest if Lindgren had also included Viktor Ryberg's original poem as an author's note (I did finally find the poem on the internet, in its original Swedish, and with an accompanying English translation, but it took rather a bit of research). And I also wish I were fluent in Swedish and could thus read and compare this here English language translation to Astrid Lindgren's original Swedish text (The Tomten is in every way a wonderful, a lovely book, a sweet and to and for me prefect marriage of text and image, but I am always curious how translated texts, especially ones which are poetic or based on poetry, compare and hold up to the originals, and I do find it kind of strange and actually even a bit annoying that the translator is not even mentioned by name).
Astrid Lindgren's The Tomten exhibits a sparse, sweetly poetic, but also somewhat repetitive narrative style. For some, the repetitiveness of the text might well seem a trifle monotonous, but for me, it gives this little gem of a story a wonderful and palpable sense of security, of hope for the coming of spring. In many ways, The Tomten reads and feels almost like a magical lullaby, conveying peace, love and protection (like a fluffy blanket, or cozy hearth, the Tomten's words surround the reader, the listener with magic, warmth and kindness). And Harald Wiberg's luminous, at times almost mystical accompanying illustrations are a perfect complement to Astrid Lindgren's poetically warming and calming narrative, demonstrating a similar sense of peace, of magical, fairytale-like serenity. I recommend The Tomten for children interested in The Little People (and it would be the perfect bedtime story for a winter's evening, peaceful, relaxing, hopeful).
Astrid Lindgren adapted the text of The Tomten from Viktor Ryberg's 1881 poem Tomten (the gnome). Although not essential (and basically this is just my own academic curiosity speaking), I think it would have been enlightening and of interest if Lindgren had also included Viktor Ryberg's original poem as an author's note (I did finally find the poem on the internet, in its original Swedish, and with an accompanying English translation, but it took rather a bit of research). And I also wish I were fluent in Swedish and could thus read and compare this here English language translation to Astrid Lindgren's original Swedish text (The Tomten is in every way a wonderful, a lovely book, a sweet and to and for me prefect marriage of text and image, but I am always curious how translated texts, especially ones which are poetic or based on poetry, compare and hold up to the originals, and I do find it kind of strange and actually even a bit annoying that the translator is not even mentioned by name).
November 1, 2021
This was a favourite bedtime read of my children when they were small. Despite having read this at least a hundred times, it is still a joy to look through.
This is a beautiful adaptation from a poem by Swedish writer Viktor Ryberg. The story retains a poetic feel, the narration is soft and reassuring and makes for an enjoyable read aloud. Harald Wiberg's illustrations are exquisite, his snowy landscapes are excellent, he is wonderful at depicting animals and scenes using light and dark.
The Tomten goes about the farm at night, reassuring the animals that although it is a cold night he will do all he can to help them, he brings them more straw and food and tells them that summer will come. After he sees the animals he tiptoes in to the sleeping farmhouse before going back to his cosy corner in the hay loft with a saucer of milk for a cat.
This is a beautiful bedtime read, the text is soft and gentle, the illustrations of the sleeping animals and people and the comforting idea that someone is there whilst you sleep caring for you and keeping you safe, and that although times are hard they will get better.
This is a beautiful adaptation from a poem by Swedish writer Viktor Ryberg. The story retains a poetic feel, the narration is soft and reassuring and makes for an enjoyable read aloud. Harald Wiberg's illustrations are exquisite, his snowy landscapes are excellent, he is wonderful at depicting animals and scenes using light and dark.
The Tomten goes about the farm at night, reassuring the animals that although it is a cold night he will do all he can to help them, he brings them more straw and food and tells them that summer will come. After he sees the animals he tiptoes in to the sleeping farmhouse before going back to his cosy corner in the hay loft with a saucer of milk for a cat.
This is a beautiful bedtime read, the text is soft and gentle, the illustrations of the sleeping animals and people and the comforting idea that someone is there whilst you sleep caring for you and keeping you safe, and that although times are hard they will get better.
October 8, 2018
What a sweet story. I had listened to the audio of this when I would have rather had painted drawings of the farm house and the Tomten, who is a little gnome. A “Tomte” translates as “homestead man” who is a protector of the farm in which he lives.
So this is a story about a winter gnome in Scandinavian folklore that lives on farms to protect it. He wears shabby clothes, a long white beard, and a red cap. He checks on the animals, telling them that summer is near, and then he checks on the the children in the house by peeking in the window. Adults can’t see him, but children can, and yet he only checks on them at night when they are fast asleep.
Some people read this book or one like it at Christmas time in Sweden, and some people put out porridge with butter on it on Christmas Eve to feed the Tomten because that is all he requires for his protection of the farm.
TOMTEN RICE PORRIDGE
1 ½ c. water
1 T. butter
½ t. salt
½ c. rice
4 ½ c. milk
Cinnamon, sugar, and butter to taste
1. Rinse the rice well and drain.
2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water, butter, and salt to a rapid boil over high heat.
3. Pour in the rice, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
4. Reduce the heat to low, stirring the rice until boiling is reduced to a simmer.
5. Cover the pot and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the rice has absorbed most of the water.
6. Add the milk to the rice, stirring to incorporate. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then immediately reduce the heat to low.
7. Once boiling has reduced to a simmer, cover the pot and allow it to cook, without stirring, for 45 minutes. Be careful here to avoid it scorching.
8. Serve warm with cinnamon-sugar and butter to taste. You can also serve it with cold milk to pour over the top.
So this is a story about a winter gnome in Scandinavian folklore that lives on farms to protect it. He wears shabby clothes, a long white beard, and a red cap. He checks on the animals, telling them that summer is near, and then he checks on the the children in the house by peeking in the window. Adults can’t see him, but children can, and yet he only checks on them at night when they are fast asleep.
Some people read this book or one like it at Christmas time in Sweden, and some people put out porridge with butter on it on Christmas Eve to feed the Tomten because that is all he requires for his protection of the farm.
TOMTEN RICE PORRIDGE
1 ½ c. water
1 T. butter
½ t. salt
½ c. rice
4 ½ c. milk
Cinnamon, sugar, and butter to taste
1. Rinse the rice well and drain.
2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water, butter, and salt to a rapid boil over high heat.
3. Pour in the rice, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
4. Reduce the heat to low, stirring the rice until boiling is reduced to a simmer.
5. Cover the pot and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the rice has absorbed most of the water.
6. Add the milk to the rice, stirring to incorporate. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then immediately reduce the heat to low.
7. Once boiling has reduced to a simmer, cover the pot and allow it to cook, without stirring, for 45 minutes. Be careful here to avoid it scorching.
8. Serve warm with cinnamon-sugar and butter to taste. You can also serve it with cold milk to pour over the top.
December 24, 2016
Christmas time is upon us, and it is time to dig out all our cherished traditions again, both individual family patterns and typical rituals that all Swedes celebrate. As Swedes like to do the same things, and are adamant that national traditions should be followed correctly, most of us end up eating the same “Julbord” food, singing the same songs, watching the same Disney cartoons, while waiting for Jultomten to arrive on Christmas Eve to distribute the Christmas gifts. In most families, the appearance of Tomten coincides with the head of the family “leaving” to post letters. Children of the email and whatsapp generation don’t question the strange fact that physical letters urgently need to be brought to the (closed!) post office in the middle of a family gathering, as they are too busy staring out the window to get the first glimpse of the Tomten, white-bearded and clad in red.
In order to make the long waiting time pass more smoothly, our family plays board games, and takes turns at the piano, or we read together. And as we are a (partly) Swedish family, we choose the Swedish Christmas classics, featuring different versions of the Tomte myth.
The “Jultomte” that our children are waiting for, who brings the presents, is an equivalent of Santa Claus or Nikolaus, but the one who appears in Swedish poetry is not necessarily linked to Christmas. He is rather to be seen as a responsible spirit, taking care of farm families, and looking after business in the cold winter nights. Viktor Rydberg wrote the most famous poem about that kind of Tomte, walking around in the glittering snow, watching the moon in the dark sky, checking on humans and animals while pondering on the question of time. He has seen many, many generations of children grow up, and found families, then grow old, and disappear again, and he wonders, and wonders, without finding any answer: Where did the humans come from, and where are they going?
It is a family tradition to read Rydberg’s long poem together, and all of us know at least a couple of the stanzas by heart. I have recited it since I was a little girl, but it still speaks directly to my heart - in its rendering of the Swedish winter atmosphere, between cosiness and nostalgia, celebrating light in a time of complete night.
To be read with a pepparkaka in hand, preferably with some piano music, and the smell of a big Christmas fir tree in the background, under which the Christmas gifts are waiting for the Jultomte. As long as Grandpa has not prepared the letters for the post office, I see no hope of him appearing, though! And the gifts may not be touched before Tomten knocks on the door and asks his obligatory question:
“Finns det några snälla barn här?”
Are there any well-behaved children in the house? We have five children in the house today, and six grown-ups, so Jultomten will have a lot to do, once he arrives, in a couple of hours. In the meantime, we read poetry together:
Tomten, by Viktor Rydberg, Ny Illustrerad Tidning 1881.
Midvinternattens köld är hård,
stjärnorna gnistra och glimma.
Alla sova i enslig gård
djupt under midnattstimma.
Månen vandrar sin tysta ban,
snön lyser vit på fur och gran,
snön lyser vit på taken.
Endast tomten är vaken.
Står där så grå vid ladgårdsdörr,
grå mot den vita driva,
tittar, som många vintrar förr,
upp emot månens skiva,
tittar mot skogen, där gran och fur
drar kring gården sin dunkla mur,
grubblar, fast ej det lär båta,
över en underlig gåta.
För sin hand genom skägg och hår,
skakar huvud och hätta ---
»nej, den gåtan är alltför svår,
nej, jag gissar ej detta» ---
slår, som han plägar, inom kort
slika spörjande tankar bort,
går att ordna och pyssla,
går att sköta sin syssla.
Går till visthus och redskapshus,
känner på alla låsen ---
korna drömma vid månens ljus
sommardrömmar i båsen;
glömsk av sele och pisk och töm
Pålle i stallet har ock en dröm:
krubban han lutar över
fylls av doftande klöver; ---
Går till stängslet för lamm och får,
ser, hur de sova där inne;
går till hönsen, där tuppen står
stolt på sin högsta pinne;
Karo i hundbots halm mår gott,
vaknar och viftar svansen smått,
Karo sin tomte känner,
de äro gode vänner.
Tomten smyger sig sist att se
husbondfolket det kära,
länge och väl han märkt, att de
hålla hans flit i ära;
barnens kammar han sen på tå
nalkas att se de söta små,
ingen må det förtycka:
det är hans största lycka.
Så har han sett dem, far och son,
ren genom många leder
slumra som barn; men varifrån
kommo de väl hit neder?
Släkte följde på släkte snart,
blomstrade, åldrades, gick --- men vart?
Gåtan, som icke låter
gissa sig, kom så åter!
Tomten vandrar till ladans loft:
där har han bo och fäste
högt på skullen i höets doft,
nära vid svalans näste;
nu är väl svalans boning tom,
men till våren med blad och blom
kommer hon nog tillbaka,
följd av sin näpna maka.
Då har hon alltid att kvittra om
månget ett färdeminne,
intet likväl om gåtan, som
rör sig i tomtens sinne.
Genom en springa i ladans vägg
lyser månen på gubbens skägg,
strimman på skägget blänker,
tomten grubblar och tänker.
Tyst är skogen och nejden all,
livet där ute är fruset,
blott från fjärran av forsens fall
höres helt sakta bruset.
Tomten lyssnar och, halvt i dröm,
tycker sig höra tidens ström,
undrar, varthän den skall fara,
undrar, var källan må vara.
Midvinternattens köld är hård,
stjärnorna gnistra och glimma.
Alla sova i enslig gård
gott intill morgontimma.
Månen sänker sin tysta ban,
snön lyser vit på fur och gran,
snön lyser vit på taken.
Endast tomten är vaken.
English version: http://www.tomtenposter.com/Tomten.html
In order to make the long waiting time pass more smoothly, our family plays board games, and takes turns at the piano, or we read together. And as we are a (partly) Swedish family, we choose the Swedish Christmas classics, featuring different versions of the Tomte myth.
The “Jultomte” that our children are waiting for, who brings the presents, is an equivalent of Santa Claus or Nikolaus, but the one who appears in Swedish poetry is not necessarily linked to Christmas. He is rather to be seen as a responsible spirit, taking care of farm families, and looking after business in the cold winter nights. Viktor Rydberg wrote the most famous poem about that kind of Tomte, walking around in the glittering snow, watching the moon in the dark sky, checking on humans and animals while pondering on the question of time. He has seen many, many generations of children grow up, and found families, then grow old, and disappear again, and he wonders, and wonders, without finding any answer: Where did the humans come from, and where are they going?
It is a family tradition to read Rydberg’s long poem together, and all of us know at least a couple of the stanzas by heart. I have recited it since I was a little girl, but it still speaks directly to my heart - in its rendering of the Swedish winter atmosphere, between cosiness and nostalgia, celebrating light in a time of complete night.
To be read with a pepparkaka in hand, preferably with some piano music, and the smell of a big Christmas fir tree in the background, under which the Christmas gifts are waiting for the Jultomte. As long as Grandpa has not prepared the letters for the post office, I see no hope of him appearing, though! And the gifts may not be touched before Tomten knocks on the door and asks his obligatory question:
“Finns det några snälla barn här?”
Are there any well-behaved children in the house? We have five children in the house today, and six grown-ups, so Jultomten will have a lot to do, once he arrives, in a couple of hours. In the meantime, we read poetry together:
Tomten, by Viktor Rydberg, Ny Illustrerad Tidning 1881.
Midvinternattens köld är hård,
stjärnorna gnistra och glimma.
Alla sova i enslig gård
djupt under midnattstimma.
Månen vandrar sin tysta ban,
snön lyser vit på fur och gran,
snön lyser vit på taken.
Endast tomten är vaken.
Står där så grå vid ladgårdsdörr,
grå mot den vita driva,
tittar, som många vintrar förr,
upp emot månens skiva,
tittar mot skogen, där gran och fur
drar kring gården sin dunkla mur,
grubblar, fast ej det lär båta,
över en underlig gåta.
För sin hand genom skägg och hår,
skakar huvud och hätta ---
»nej, den gåtan är alltför svår,
nej, jag gissar ej detta» ---
slår, som han plägar, inom kort
slika spörjande tankar bort,
går att ordna och pyssla,
går att sköta sin syssla.
Går till visthus och redskapshus,
känner på alla låsen ---
korna drömma vid månens ljus
sommardrömmar i båsen;
glömsk av sele och pisk och töm
Pålle i stallet har ock en dröm:
krubban han lutar över
fylls av doftande klöver; ---
Går till stängslet för lamm och får,
ser, hur de sova där inne;
går till hönsen, där tuppen står
stolt på sin högsta pinne;
Karo i hundbots halm mår gott,
vaknar och viftar svansen smått,
Karo sin tomte känner,
de äro gode vänner.
Tomten smyger sig sist att se
husbondfolket det kära,
länge och väl han märkt, att de
hålla hans flit i ära;
barnens kammar han sen på tå
nalkas att se de söta små,
ingen må det förtycka:
det är hans största lycka.
Så har han sett dem, far och son,
ren genom många leder
slumra som barn; men varifrån
kommo de väl hit neder?
Släkte följde på släkte snart,
blomstrade, åldrades, gick --- men vart?
Gåtan, som icke låter
gissa sig, kom så åter!
Tomten vandrar till ladans loft:
där har han bo och fäste
högt på skullen i höets doft,
nära vid svalans näste;
nu är väl svalans boning tom,
men till våren med blad och blom
kommer hon nog tillbaka,
följd av sin näpna maka.
Då har hon alltid att kvittra om
månget ett färdeminne,
intet likväl om gåtan, som
rör sig i tomtens sinne.
Genom en springa i ladans vägg
lyser månen på gubbens skägg,
strimman på skägget blänker,
tomten grubblar och tänker.
Tyst är skogen och nejden all,
livet där ute är fruset,
blott från fjärran av forsens fall
höres helt sakta bruset.
Tomten lyssnar och, halvt i dröm,
tycker sig höra tidens ström,
undrar, varthän den skall fara,
undrar, var källan må vara.
Midvinternattens köld är hård,
stjärnorna gnistra och glimma.
Alla sova i enslig gård
gott intill morgontimma.
Månen sänker sin tysta ban,
snön lyser vit på fur och gran,
snön lyser vit på taken.
Endast tomten är vaken.
English version: http://www.tomtenposter.com/Tomten.html
November 13, 2024
Ich habe die Hörbuchfassung gehört, in der nicht nur die Geschichte von dem Wichtel Tomte Tummetott erzählt wird, sondern auch winterliche Geschichten von den Kindern aus Bullerbü und Michel aus Lönneberga. Sehr schöne und sehr stimmungsvolle Geschichten.
Ein Hörbuch, das man sich jedes Jahr wieder zur Weihnachtszeit anhören kann, ohne dass es langweilig wird.
Ein Hörbuch, das man sich jedes Jahr wieder zur Weihnachtszeit anhören kann, ohne dass es langweilig wird.
September 24, 2022
The book is based on a poem about a tomten, a mythical being like a gnome, who lives on a little farm and goes out at night to watch over the family and their farm animals.
I appreciate that children's books don't need to have a point to be enjoyable. But I'm not so sure about the part when the tomten comes to the house and observes the family, including the kids, as they sleep. That's quite creepy.
I appreciate that children's books don't need to have a point to be enjoyable. But I'm not so sure about the part when the tomten comes to the house and observes the family, including the kids, as they sleep. That's quite creepy.
January 28, 2017
I love Astrid Lindgren and Kitty Crowther so much that I ended up buying this little picturebook in French and, painfully, translating it. It was only after reading about other work by Kitty that I found someone has already done it...
Stupidity aside, this is such a lovely little story about a little troll (the Scandinavian like their trolls who, I suppose are similar to Brownies ) whose job it is, in the winter, to ensure that the people and livestock of a remote household are safe and well and feel comforted.
Kitty was granted the privilege of illustrating the story after it was unearthed in a cupboard belonging to the Lindgren estate (it was penned in the 60s). Kitty's capturing of the little Tomte, the snow, the green thrum of the Northern Lights and the sense of peace and calm within the land is simply beautiful. Go buy it! In English...
Stupidity aside, this is such a lovely little story about a little troll (the Scandinavian like their trolls who, I suppose are similar to Brownies ) whose job it is, in the winter, to ensure that the people and livestock of a remote household are safe and well and feel comforted.
Kitty was granted the privilege of illustrating the story after it was unearthed in a cupboard belonging to the Lindgren estate (it was penned in the 60s). Kitty's capturing of the little Tomte, the snow, the green thrum of the Northern Lights and the sense of peace and calm within the land is simply beautiful. Go buy it! In English...
January 2, 2019
In the quiet of a cold and snowy winter night, on a farm "deep in the middle of the woods," a tomten - tomtens (known as nisse in Norway and Denmark) are small, dwarf or gnome-like beings from Scandinavian mythology, said to guard and care for a farm and its inhabitants - makes his rounds, checking on all the animals, and on the human inhabitants as well. From the cows to the sheep, Dobbin the horse to Caro the dog, the tomten speaks to each in his silent tomten language, that only animals and babies can understand, offering consolation, and the promise of spring (and happiness) to come. Pondering his human charges, who (unlike the animals) sleep the night away, and never know he is there, the tomten concludes his rounds, ending up with his feline companion, who demands milk, and his company. Winters may come and summers go, the narrator concludes, but all throughout the year, in the dead of night, the tomten will be there, to ensure that all is well...
Based upon a poem by Viktor Rydberg, published in 1881 in the magazine Ny Illustrerad Tidning, this delightful picture-book from acclaimed Swedish children's author Astrid Lindgren has a gentle charm that slowly and subtly works upon the reader, drawing her into its quiet, comforting world. I liked the repetitive structure of the tale - this probably owes something to the original poem - as it creates a rather soothing rhythm, and emphasizes the reassuring nature of the story itself. The tomten is there - every night he is there - and he is sure to get to all the residents of the farm, during the course of his nightly duties. The accompanying artwork, done in muted tones by Harald Wiberg, has a soft, indistinct quality to it that is ideally suited to the wintry nighttime scene, and perfectly captures the quiet feeling of enchantment to be found in the text.
All in all, The Tomten is a superb little book, and I am quite grateful to the Picture-Book Club to which I belong for choosing it as one of our selections this month. Our theme this time is "mystical/magical creatures," and this surely fits the bill! I will definitely be seeking out a copy of Lindgren's The Tomten and the Fox , as well as the Norwegian story, The Nisse from Timsgaard ...
Based upon a poem by Viktor Rydberg, published in 1881 in the magazine Ny Illustrerad Tidning, this delightful picture-book from acclaimed Swedish children's author Astrid Lindgren has a gentle charm that slowly and subtly works upon the reader, drawing her into its quiet, comforting world. I liked the repetitive structure of the tale - this probably owes something to the original poem - as it creates a rather soothing rhythm, and emphasizes the reassuring nature of the story itself. The tomten is there - every night he is there - and he is sure to get to all the residents of the farm, during the course of his nightly duties. The accompanying artwork, done in muted tones by Harald Wiberg, has a soft, indistinct quality to it that is ideally suited to the wintry nighttime scene, and perfectly captures the quiet feeling of enchantment to be found in the text.
All in all, The Tomten is a superb little book, and I am quite grateful to the Picture-Book Club to which I belong for choosing it as one of our selections this month. Our theme this time is "mystical/magical creatures," and this surely fits the bill! I will definitely be seeking out a copy of Lindgren's The Tomten and the Fox , as well as the Norwegian story, The Nisse from Timsgaard ...
May 1, 2012
4.5 STARS
A beautiful, gentle (adapted from the wonderful poem by Rydberg) story lovingly illustrated about the Tomten (gnome) who keeps watch over a family's small, lonely farm and encourages the animals in the winter while they dream of spring. I adored how the Tomten was friends with all the animals, and I think young children would love to imagine a tomten outside their house and keeping a kind, watchful eye on things while they sleep. The rhyme scheme makes this a very gentle, story, almost like a lullaby--I did wonder why the rhyme wasn't repeated throughout, it changed with the chickens and the dog-- but that did not diminish my enjoyment of the tale. I thought the illustrations were marvelous; gentle, beautiful, just the right blend of realism and magic. And, the tomten is just so adorable! :-)
A beautiful, gentle (adapted from the wonderful poem by Rydberg) story lovingly illustrated about the Tomten (gnome) who keeps watch over a family's small, lonely farm and encourages the animals in the winter while they dream of spring. I adored how the Tomten was friends with all the animals, and I think young children would love to imagine a tomten outside their house and keeping a kind, watchful eye on things while they sleep. The rhyme scheme makes this a very gentle, story, almost like a lullaby--I did wonder why the rhyme wasn't repeated throughout, it changed with the chickens and the dog-- but that did not diminish my enjoyment of the tale. I thought the illustrations were marvelous; gentle, beautiful, just the right blend of realism and magic. And, the tomten is just so adorable! :-)
December 22, 2021
A cute little Scandinavian tale that caught my kids attention. They wondered why no one stayed up to see him. I'm pretty sure the Tomten is too clever to be spotted (and people sleep so soundly!). Even Sparky the cat enjoyed listening in and seeing some animal friends.
Reread 2021
Fun to bring this one back. The kids loved the line about Tomten language.
Reread 2021
Fun to bring this one back. The kids loved the line about Tomten language.
July 14, 2020
Cute little story about a troll that takes care of the animals on a farm while the people never see him only his footsteps. Pretty drawings in this book and the story is easy and good.
December 7, 2016
The lower illustration is the same scene in this book versus an older version of The Tomten.
April 19, 2012
First, let me say how thrilled I was to discover that Astrid Lindgren adapted this book. Pippi Longstocking was one of my favorite books/characters as a child and it just thrills me to read more of her work. Second, let me share that I have always admired gnomes and I have a special gnome that sits on my favorite bookshelf to protect my favorite books…I am such a dork :).
The Tomten is Lindgren’s adaption of a classic poem written by Rydberg (For the record, I prefer Rydberg's verses). Lindgren writes in rhythmic, well-paced verses. I admire her careful word choice because it is very descriptive and lends itself well to evoking imagery, which is a critical aspect of quality poetry. The repetition offers structure to the story and is most likely a reflection of the poem’s ties to classic folklore. One of the repeating phrases, “he talks to them in tomten, a silent little I language…” struck me because I would have liked to see some foreign tomten symbols to represent this magical language. The illustrations complimented the story nicely but did not correspond well with my own mental imagery of the poem. The tomten’s eyes appear to be creepy in a few scenes—particularly the page with the sheep…his eyes appear to be glowing and the darkness of his presence is more troll-like than gnome-like. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading Lindgren’s follow-up Tomten books.
The Tomten is Lindgren’s adaption of a classic poem written by Rydberg (For the record, I prefer Rydberg's verses). Lindgren writes in rhythmic, well-paced verses. I admire her careful word choice because it is very descriptive and lends itself well to evoking imagery, which is a critical aspect of quality poetry. The repetition offers structure to the story and is most likely a reflection of the poem’s ties to classic folklore. One of the repeating phrases, “he talks to them in tomten, a silent little I language…” struck me because I would have liked to see some foreign tomten symbols to represent this magical language. The illustrations complimented the story nicely but did not correspond well with my own mental imagery of the poem. The tomten’s eyes appear to be creepy in a few scenes—particularly the page with the sheep…his eyes appear to be glowing and the darkness of his presence is more troll-like than gnome-like. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading Lindgren’s follow-up Tomten books.
October 28, 2022
Oh dear - I love the illustrations! So wintery and cozy looking. A great book to pull out during the winter season!
I’m slightly disappointed in what I’m sure is just a couple of errors in translation. I didn’t find the opening to flow that smoothly, going back and forth between tenses. In addition, and this one is at no fault of the translator, I’m sure the poems rhymed, which of course you’d loose when switching languages, but would have created such a whimsical flow to the whimsical pictures.
Regardless, it’s a good read!
Ages: 2 - 7
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
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I’m slightly disappointed in what I’m sure is just a couple of errors in translation. I didn’t find the opening to flow that smoothly, going back and forth between tenses. In addition, and this one is at no fault of the translator, I’m sure the poems rhymed, which of course you’d loose when switching languages, but would have created such a whimsical flow to the whimsical pictures.
Regardless, it’s a good read!
Ages: 2 - 7
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
April 16, 2012
We recently reread Hedgie's Surprise by Jan Brett, so we already had an idea about what a Tomten was. This book is similar, but depicts the Tomten in a slightly less mischievious manner. The narrative is repetitive and soothing, and the story is perfect for bedtime reading. The illustrations are also softly muted, showing the quiet of night. We really enjoyed reading this story together.
This story was selected as one of the books for the April 2012 - Mystical/Magical Creatures reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
This story was selected as one of the books for the April 2012 - Mystical/Magical Creatures reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
December 23, 2020
I remember hearing the story of the tomten when I grew up from my Grandpa who grew up in Sweden and this folklore was common. I never knew about the poem or that Astrid Lindgren wrote a children's picture book based on the poem. So when I was an adult, introducing my fiancé to our Swedish traditions, I found The Tomten.
I was so pleased to find this story. It was a sweet tale about the tomten's night activities, silently providing help and comfort on the farm where he lives. The illustrations by Harald Wiberg are beautiful. Warm, soft, moonlight scenes painted with great detail elevate the story. This is a Christmas staple in my house and I highly recommend it to everyone.
God Jul! Gott Nytt År!
I was so pleased to find this story. It was a sweet tale about the tomten's night activities, silently providing help and comfort on the farm where he lives. The illustrations by Harald Wiberg are beautiful. Warm, soft, moonlight scenes painted with great detail elevate the story. This is a Christmas staple in my house and I highly recommend it to everyone.
God Jul! Gott Nytt År!
January 18, 2016
This book is a family favorite to read at Christmas time. My grandmother grew up hearing stories about Norwegian nissen (very similar to tomten) from her grandmother so this story has a special place in all our hearts. Astrid Lindgren's soft, sweet words translate the poem beautifully. It's easy for small children to understand. We got so into the idea of leaving rice porridge for the Tomten, we leave rice pudding for JulNissen at Christmas (along side Santa's cookies and milk). The illustrations are a little dark but they convey winter very well. We never thought they were gloomy. I haven't tried reading this to the nieces and nephews yet. It may be too gentle and slow for their generation.
December 21, 2017
Me ha gustado mucho, es un cuento precioso e ideal para el invierno, pero le doy un cuatro porque me gusta más la versión en inglés, tanto por los dibujos como por el texto. En esta traducción pierde un poco y se lia con cosas como que dice que el duende cuida de todas las casas y no es así, cuida de esa granja en particular, es el típico duende casero: tomten, brownie o kobold, o lo que J. K. Rowling llamaría elfo doméstico. Pero en general está bien y es muy bonito.
March 17, 2014
A traditional scandanavian folk tale best read around Christmas time for maximum enjoyment and relevance as it is set in winter.
The Tomten is a little troll also affectionately known as a gnome. The Tomten wanders round solitary farms looking after and talking to the animals that live there. He also keeps a watchful eye over the children to ensure that they come to no harm while they sleep.
I read this book to my year 2 class under the visualiser. It took me about 10 - 15 minutes to read. They must have enjoyed it as they all listened attentively. The illustrations in the book support the story really well.
I would recommend this as a book to read with the class. I used it as a stimulus for an Art Club where the children had to use different materials to create their own winter scene. Great for nursery children to those in year 4.
The Tomten is a little troll also affectionately known as a gnome. The Tomten wanders round solitary farms looking after and talking to the animals that live there. He also keeps a watchful eye over the children to ensure that they come to no harm while they sleep.
I read this book to my year 2 class under the visualiser. It took me about 10 - 15 minutes to read. They must have enjoyed it as they all listened attentively. The illustrations in the book support the story really well.
I would recommend this as a book to read with the class. I used it as a stimulus for an Art Club where the children had to use different materials to create their own winter scene. Great for nursery children to those in year 4.
December 19, 2010
A favorite picture book from my childhood. The story of a little Swedish "tomten" (elf type creature) and his life on the farm. I read the book out loud to my boys tonight and while I was basking in the warm glow of a familiar, beloved story from my childhood, they were creeped out that little men might be walking around the house while they were sleeping looking in windows. Matter of fact, one of my boys came and crawled into my bed about 20 minutes ago. Guess that story backfired a little...
February 7, 2017
Quite a lovely book.
December 26, 2025
This is lovely story of the Tomten's walk around the farm in the middle of the night, visiting, looking after and talking to the animals, reminding them of spring. It's a very soothing read, with gentle and flowing writing. Harald Wiberg's illustrations are evocative of the calmness and quiet of snowy nights, and never fail to transport you away. Ever since I was first read it as a young child, this winter story has remain vivid in my mind.
November 5, 2021
"Skrzat nie śpi" to bardzo rytmiczna i otulająca opowieść dla młodszych dzieci. Myślę, że idealnie sprawdzi się jako bajka na dobranoc. Dodatkowo ilustracje są naprawdę ładne przez co nadają charakteru tej śnieżnej, zimowej historii. Lubię twórczość Astrid Lindgren i miło w te jesienne wieczory nadrabiać kolejne jej książki.
November 22, 2025
И 5 милиона звезди ще са малко за Томте Туметот.
„Туметот в мрака тъй силно мечтае,
че на цветя тъмнината ухае!“
Без капка съмнение най-хубавият превод на български език, който съм чела в живота си. Знам книгата почти наизуст и съм я препрочитала десетки (ако не стотици) пъти. Толкова хубав текст, така топла, успокояваща, обнадеждаваща и закриляща история – няма друга книга, за която да вярвам, че всеки трябва да я има, да я чете пак и пак (и пак).
И дори да живея с домовой, вярвам в Томте Туметот и грижата, която полага за хора, животни, растения. Иска ми се молитвите да звучаха така, иска ми се всяка легенда да е толкова уютна. Книга, в която да се сгушиш – сам, с котката или кучето, със семейството си. Книга-заклинание за надежда, която веднъж отворена, остава в теб завинаги.
„Туметот в мрака тъй силно мечтае,
че на цветя тъмнината ухае!“
Без капка съмнение най-хубавият превод на български език, който съм чела в живота си. Знам книгата почти наизуст и съм я препрочитала десетки (ако не стотици) пъти. Толкова хубав текст, така топла, успокояваща, обнадеждаваща и закриляща история – няма друга книга, за която да вярвам, че всеки трябва да я има, да я чете пак и пак (и пак).
И дори да живея с домовой, вярвам в Томте Туметот и грижата, която полага за хора, животни, растения. Иска ми се молитвите да звучаха така, иска ми се всяка легенда да е толкова уютна. Книга, в която да се сгушиш – сам, с котката или кучето, със семейството си. Книга-заклинание за надежда, която веднъж отворена, остава в теб завинаги.
April 30, 2012
The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Harald Wiberg, and adapted from a poem by Viktor Rydberg, is based on a mythical creature who watches over farmsteads and protects the inhabitants.
Wiberg's illustrations have a peaceful, almost dream-like quality. From information on the book jacket of the library's 1968 copy, it states that "Mr. Wiberg originally made these illustrations for his sons, taken from the lonlyfarm where the artist was born. They were first published in a children's magazine with the original poem by Viktor Rydberg." My favorite images include the homestead, Tomten outside, with the horse, by the sheep, by Caro, by the babies, in the loftand thinking of Spring. The images of the farmstead, though different, remind me of the quiet of the farm where I grew up.
The tomte or nisse was believed to take care of a farmer's home and children and protect them from misfortune, in particular at night, when the housefolk were asleep. The Swedish name tomte is derived from a place of residence and area of influence: the house lot or tomt.
I appreciated seeing the original poem, which was posted by Gundula on the Goodreads Magical Creatures Discussion for April 2012. It makes some of the repetition in the text seems wedded to the original poem. I enjoyed the soothing text. It was fun to see the various animals and how they seemed comforted by the Tomten's presence and his conversations with them. I especially liked the mention of seasons and the coming of Spring. I definitely enjoyed this tale and will search for The Tomten and the Fox, or other Tomte stories. This is recommended for School and public library collections.
For ages 4 to 7, fairy-tales-fantasy, winter, folklore-scandinavia, bedtime-bathtime, translations, magical-creatures, scandinavian, tomten, nature, farms, and fans of Astrid Lindgren, Harald Wiberg, & Viktor Rydberg.
Wiberg's illustrations have a peaceful, almost dream-like quality. From information on the book jacket of the library's 1968 copy, it states that "Mr. Wiberg originally made these illustrations for his sons, taken from the lonlyfarm where the artist was born. They were first published in a children's magazine with the original poem by Viktor Rydberg." My favorite images include the homestead, Tomten outside, with the horse, by the sheep, by Caro, by the babies, in the loftand thinking of Spring. The images of the farmstead, though different, remind me of the quiet of the farm where I grew up.
The tomte or nisse was believed to take care of a farmer's home and children and protect them from misfortune, in particular at night, when the housefolk were asleep. The Swedish name tomte is derived from a place of residence and area of influence: the house lot or tomt.
I appreciated seeing the original poem, which was posted by Gundula on the Goodreads Magical Creatures Discussion for April 2012. It makes some of the repetition in the text seems wedded to the original poem. I enjoyed the soothing text. It was fun to see the various animals and how they seemed comforted by the Tomten's presence and his conversations with them. I especially liked the mention of seasons and the coming of Spring. I definitely enjoyed this tale and will search for The Tomten and the Fox, or other Tomte stories. This is recommended for School and public library collections.
For ages 4 to 7, fairy-tales-fantasy, winter, folklore-scandinavia, bedtime-bathtime, translations, magical-creatures, scandinavian, tomten, nature, farms, and fans of Astrid Lindgren, Harald Wiberg, & Viktor Rydberg.
December 27, 2015
The Tomten is a tiny gnome-like creature from Scandanvian folklore. In this book the Tomten, who lives in the hayloft of the barn, is conducting his nightly exploration of the farm on which he lives. He stops and speaks to all of the animals, reassuring them that though the night is cold and the winter deep, summer will eventually come. He gives the dog extra straw to keep warm, and shares milk with the cat. He visits the people in the house and wishes he could speak with the children, but because they are asleep at night when he is awake they never meet. However, in the morning the children can spot his footprints and know he is there.
A nice little book that evokes the cold nights of the Swedish countryside. The drawings use primarily cool colors so the reader almost senses the chill of the night. The story introduces the gentle Tomten who cares for all of the creatures, but there isn't much background on the little fellow so be prepared for questions from children who will absolutely want to know more. I believe there are more books by Lindgren about the Tomten.
A nice little book that evokes the cold nights of the Swedish countryside. The drawings use primarily cool colors so the reader almost senses the chill of the night. The story introduces the gentle Tomten who cares for all of the creatures, but there isn't much background on the little fellow so be prepared for questions from children who will absolutely want to know more. I believe there are more books by Lindgren about the Tomten.
December 2, 2020
December 2020 reading: ★★★★☆ I wanted to read this again after tomte came up in another book I was reading. This time, knowing more about tomte as a Nordic folk figure, I definitely found more pleasure in the story but a little background in the book itself would have helped. Also, I found it strange that the tomte's words are sometimes set differently from the rest of the text and sometimes not- a distracting design issue.
January 2019 reading: ★★★☆☆ The setting and illustrations are charming but what's the point of the story?
January 2019 reading: ★★★☆☆ The setting and illustrations are charming but what's the point of the story?
December 14, 2008
This book is interesting, but a little freaky. It's about a creature called a Tomten that creeps around a farm while the people who live there are sleeping. I can totally see Stephen King rewriting this book as a horror novel for adults.
I googled "Tomten" and discovered that it is a mythical creature of Swedish folklore. This book makes a lot of more sense if you know this background information.
I googled "Tomten" and discovered that it is a mythical creature of Swedish folklore. This book makes a lot of more sense if you know this background information.
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