Чего только нет у Петсона на чердаке! Неудивительно, что Финдус нашел там палатку. Сами понимаете, где палатка - там и дальние странствия. Недолго думая, друзья пускаются в путь. Книги про старика Петсона и его друга кота Финдуса переведены на многие языки и удостоены огромного количества литературных премий. Благодаря ярким персонажам, увлекательному сюжету и великолепным иллюстрациям они признаны классикой современной детской литературы.
Sven Nordqvist (born 30 April 1946) is a Swedish writer and illustrator of children's books. He is best known for his series Pettson and Findus, about an old farmer, Pettson, and his talented cat, Findus.
Nordqvist was born in Helsingborg and grew up in Halmstad, Sweden. He originally wanted to be an illustrator but was rejected by several art schools. Instead he studied architecture at Lund Institute of Technology, and worked for a time there as a lecturer in architecture. At the same time he continued to look for work as an illustrator working on advertisements, posters and picture books. In 1983 he won first prize in a children's book competition and since then has worked exclusively as an author and illustrator of children's books.
He is married and has two grown sons.
During his career, he has been given awards in both Sweden and Germany. His Pettson and Findus books are especially popular in Germany, where the characters are known as Pettersson and Findus. In Danish they are called Peddersen and Findus. In Finnish they are called Pesonen and Viiru. And in English, Festus and Mercury, though English translations of the books exist with the original names kept.
In 2007 he won the literary award Augustpriset in the children's books category, for his book Var är min syster? ("Where is my sister?"). In 1992 he won the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis
Pettersson und Findus - einfach immer wieder schön! In dieser Geschichte möchte Findus zelten mit Pettersson. Irgendwo in der Natur. Zusammen entspannen, angeln und es sich gutgehen lassen. Doch die Hühnerschar macht den beiden einen Strich durch die Rechnung... Sehr lustig, dabei auch warmherzig erzählt.
I think I have become addicted to these quirky little picture books. The books in the series were originally published in Swedish and not all have been translated into English. Most are also, sadly, out of print. The characters' names have also been translated as Findus and Pettson, which actually make more sense. The farmer is "Pettson" and his little cat is "Findus" because his neighbor first brings the kitten to him in a box marked 'Findus Green Peas'. Findus (or 'Mercury' in this translation) is something like an irrepressible five-year-old child and Pettson (or 'Festus') is his ever patient guardian/friend. The illustrations are full of delightful little eccentricities. Every time you look at them, you see something new. In this episode, while Pettson is searching for his fishing pole in the attic, Findus finds a rolled up tent. After Pettson explains what it is for, Findus begs to go on a camping trip. The two set off on a hike to the lake, where they plan to fish and camp. They are waylaid, however, by Pettson's group of recalcitrant hens who insist they want to go too. The story proceeds at a leisurely pace that mirrors Pettson's calm manner, while Findus' antics skitter all around the pages. These stories are so perfect on so many levels. There is a sweet but wry humor that will have adults chuckling, while the detailed illustrations will capture the attention of children of about age four and up. I so wish they would all be translated and reissued.
Festus and Mercury Go Camping, 1993 American translation of Pettson tältar.
One of three English-language versions of this classic Swedish picture-book available - they include this (uncredited) American translation published in 1993, one year after the release of the original; Pettson Goes Camping, a 2008 edition translated by Martin Peterson for the original publisher, Bokförlaget Opal; and a recent British version, Findus Goes Camping, done in 2010 - Festus and Mercury Go Camping is Sven Nordqvist's sixth story featuring that delightful farmer/feline pair whose comic adventures always prove so entertaining. In this installment, Festus and Mercury (Pettson and Findus in the original) find themselves embarking on a camping expedition that (perhaps not surprisingly) doesn't get them very far...
It's a funny thing, but when I read the American editions of these stories by themselves (as I did with Merry Christmas, Festus and Mercury and Festus & Mercury: Wishing to Go Fishing), I am invariably delighted, but when I read them together with the fuller English translations available from Bokförlaget Opal, the original Swedish publisher (as I did here, and with Pancake Pie/The Birthday Cake and The Fox Hunt/The Fox Hunt), I always find myself disappointed. It's not that these American editions have no appeal, because they do - the same winsome illustrations, the same amusing stories (generally speaking) - but so many of the expressive little details end up being elided, as the text is shortened, that some of 'bite' of the original is lost.
In this case, for instance, there is this hilarious scene in which Festus and Mercury find that they cannot go very far in their camping trip after all, because they are being trailed by all the hens. Turning back, Festus tries to convince them to return to the hen-house, but with no luck. In the American version, the text reads: "There was just no getting those stubborn hens into the henhouse." Compare this to the Opal edition, which reads: "The message was plain and that was the way it had to be. You can't decide over the heads of ten hens just like that." This latter has a completely different flavor to it, with a rather pointed social observation, about being democratic in decision-making, and possibly even about gender dynamics, since both Pettson/Festus and Findus/Mercury are males, and the hens are all females. It also just feels sharper, more distinct, more idiosyncratic, than the American, which seems bland by comparison.
I don't want to overstate the case, of course: Festus and Mercury Go Camping is still an entertaining tale! If it's all the reader can obtain, then I recommend it. But if one can possibly get the Opal edition, then I advise choosing that one instead! It's more complete, more faithful - just more everything!
Süße Geschichte, auch wenn maan noch etwas mehr gegen die Angst vor dem großen bösen Hecht hätte tun können. Und ich finde zelten im eigenen Garten auch eher spaßig als peinlich.
Pettson Goes Camping, 2008 Martin Peterson translation of Pettson tältar.
In this sixth picture-book devoted to the madcap misadventures of grouchy farmer Pettson, and his finicky feline companion, Findus, Swedish children's author Sven Nordqvist depicts the dynamic duo as they embark on an epic camping trip that leads them to... their own garden! Of course they had intended to get a little further afield, but when you're being pursued by a determined flock of hens, with no intention of being left behind, staying close to home becomes the least ridiculous option. Still, a brief fishing foray to the local lake, where Pettson tries out his new invention - a bow-and-arrow fishing rod - and Findus becomes convinced that there is a monster pike haunting the area, does provide some excitement, and a fun, phantom-filled night follows, with the obligatory visit by neighbor Gustavsson the next morn...
Originally published in Swedish as Pettson tältar, this is the third Nordqvist title I have read, where I have been able to compare two different English translations - this edition done by Martin Peterson for Bokförlaget Opal in 2008, and an American translation (Festus and Mercury Go Camping) from 1993 - and my conclusion is the same as it was in those earlier cases: the fuller English translation available from Opal is much to be preferred to the somewhat abridged American edition. Of course, there is a third English version available - the British translation, Findus Goes Camping, done in 2010 - but I was unable to track that down. For a more detailed description of the differences between the Opal and American editions, see my review of Festus and Mercury Go Camping.
Leaving that issue aside, this was just a delightful tale, as always, with the humor I have come to expect from Nordqvist's celebrated human/feline pair (the dangerous 'sausage!' Haha!), and the same sense of warmhearted humanity, carefully buried under a crusty exterior (Pettson sleeping out with the frightened Findus). The artwork is as detailed as ever, and will keep young readers glued to the page. In short: highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a story with an offbeat sense of humor, and madcap antics.
Цього разу пригода починається, коли Петсон випадково знаходить на своєму захаращеному горищі старого брезентового намета. Котик Фіндус нічогісінько не знає про намети і дуже дивується, коли Петсон пояснює йому, що це така хатинка, яку береш з собою у подорож. Фіндус негайно прагне випробувати хатинку подорожнього в ділі і наші герої вирішують помандрувати на поблизький пагорб, щоб там розкласти намета. Та курочки ув'язуються за ними і коли Петсон починає від них тікати, сусідка висміює його, мовляв, не тікай від курей, не такі вже вони й страшні. Тож присоромлений Петсон вирішує повернутися до свого двору і встановити намет просто у садочку. Щойно він розгортає його, знайомі запахи пробуджують у ньому спогади про мандрівки його молодості. Це такий чудовий момент, який буде знайомий кожному, хто колись подорожував з наметом. І ще одне дуже класне спостереження, яке мені страшенно сподобалося, коли Фіндус каже: "Річ у тім, що коли лежиш у наметі, то бачиш тільки намет, а чуєш набагато більше". Книжечка після якої хочеться мандрувати, шкода, що зараз зима.
This is a humorous tale of a camping trip that doesn't quite go as planned. (Sounds remarkably like our attempts to camp out in our yard this summer.) The narrative is a bit long, with charming expressions that I can only assume are english translations of Swedish sayings and mannerisms. The illustrations are funny, and I loved Findus the cat. It was a silly, but entertaining tale and I really enjoyed reading it.
I discovered this book at the Arlanda airport on my way home from Sweden. I had been looking for an english-language version of a book featuring Pelle the cat, but this one caught my eye as well as I had seen the Swedish version of the book in several bookstores. I should have purchased it for our girls, but chose not to, as I already had a bunch of stuff to bring home. Perhaps next time...
I discovered Pettson and Findus through a rather fun app - Pettson's inventions- had no idea there was a series of books. Found this one in a sale bin yesterday. What terrific drawings and suitably quirky story.
I love all the Pettson and Findus books and this one is no exception. Here Findus finds Pettson's old tent and after a short fishing expect they camp out in the garden.
It fascinates me that in translation the titular charcter has changed from Pettson to Findus. The Swedish original is called "Pettson tältar".
I first encountered Festus and Mercury (or Pettson and Findus, as they are called in the original Swedish edition*) in a bookstore in Europe back in the 90s. I read several of the books right there, standing among the book shelves, delighted with the quirky story and adorable illustrations, unable to tear myself away.
Well, I am happy to say these books have lost none of their charm. This little camping adventure has just the right dose of everything that makes kids' books great: a scary (imaginary) threat and a friend who knows how to have fun and also protect you; a few nosey nellies to keep away with outlandish tales; the comfort of a home where one can feel loved and safe; and a reminder that with the right company and a little imagination, one doesn't need to go far to have fun. (In fact this is a perfect book for people stuck at home in 2020!)
To me, the biggest draw in these books are the amazingly detailed illustrations. The story is fun and well told, but man, the pictures! So many clever and silly details to discover while reading (or listening to) the story.
* I don't understand American publishers' penchant for changing character names in book translations. Especially in a case like this, where Findus the cat turns into Mercury, whereas his friend Pettson turns into Festus. One would at least expect Findus to the the one who turns into Festus, as the two names are quite similar. I don't see what was gained from this weird name swap, especially since the name Festus isn't particularly familiar to Americans either, but whatever. I suppose for readers who haven't come across the original, this won't matter.
K - Gr 3- The Camping Trip is part of the internationally beloved Adventures of Pettson and Findus series (in some editions Festus and Mercury), which features a toddler-like cat, and an older gentleman who cares for him. This particular adventure begins when the pair stumbles upon a packed tent while looking through the attic. The ever curious Findus asks what it is, and upon receiving an answer, pleads to go out camping. Pettson agrees, thinking he’ll enjoy a peaceful outing. Readers will thoroughly enjoy events as some demanding chickens, a large pike, and an impulsive cat, make them unfold in unexpected, yet fun ways. Both characters have a distinct look. Pettson has a bulbous nose and floppy farmer's hat that suits his identity as a kindly guardian, and inventor of funny contraptions. Next to this methodical man, Findus’ energetic, and often silly, actions really leap out. The eye can quickly locate him in his verdant overalls and beanie even amongst everything else. Each page offers the reader vibrant colours, and lush details to lavish in. Things like the hidden fairy creatures, and Pettson’s cluttered home, flesh out the characters and world beyond what the writing does. VERDICT With its blend of delightfully quirky elements and old world charm, you are unlikely to find much else like this on your shelf; an absolute must have.
This series is wonderfully fun! I've been tracking down as many as I can in English after reading this year's astonishing DOG WALK. They are a bit wordier than most American picture books but so delightful. The illustrations are intricate, captivating, funny and filled with the most fantastic details. And who or what are the strange little creatures that seem to pop up in all the books??? Adorable!
4,5 Sterne Kater Findus entdeckt eine komische Rolle, die sich als zusammengefaltetes Zelt entpuppt! Sofort möchte Findus das Zelt ausprobieren und eine Nacht im Garten verbringen und zelten. Pettersson ist skeptisch, lässt sich aber überreden... Wieder eine sehr schöne Geschichte aus dieser Kinderbuchreihe. Ich lese sehr gerne und recht viele Kinderbücher, aber die "Pettersson und Findus"- Bücher gehören da schon zu meinen Favoriten. Die Geschichten sind immer so liebevoll erzählt, schön illustriert dazu und sie machen einfach Freude.
Staruszek i kot znajdują na strychu dziwną kiełbasę. Okazuje się, że to namiot z czasów młodości Pettson. Nigdy nie używany, bo nie było czasu ani pieniędzy, ale za budzący sentyment i wzruszenie. I tak - rozbijają go, nic nie szkodzi, że zaraz przy domu, że ludzie będą się śmiali i że Pettson jest już tak stary...
Das ist mein 3. Pettersson und Findus Buch. Diese Buch ist über dass Findus lernt wie man zeltet. Er möchte allein zelten aber er hat angst von die viele geräusche, so er schläft und zeltet mit Pettersson. Die Zeichnungen sind sehr detaillert. Ich wünschte die Erfindung von Pettersson war echt. Ob es echt war ich glaube alle Fischer werden es kaufen.
Still my favorite series for children. I love the chickens in this one. The illustration with Pettson being chased by chickens is hilarious. But, whilst being funny, the story is also a bit heartbreaking because we learn that Pettson never had the chance to go camping in the mountains. Maybe next time, Pettson.
Одного разу на Фіндуса напала... гігантська зелена ковбаса. Яким же було здивування котика, коли він почув від Петсона, що замолоду той подорожував у горах з цією ковбасою! Ще бульше здивування на нього чатувало, коли ковбаса перетворилася на маленьку хатинку, в якій, напевне, так солодко відпочивати! Нова пригода і нові малюнки. за якими можна вигадати багато власних історій.
IN TENDA CON PETTSON di Sven Nordqvist. La nuovissima e bellissima storia illustrata, un racconto estivo con protagonisti un uomo curiosissimo e un gattino super dolce alle prese con un'avventura imprevedibile ed esilarante. Con font ad alta leggibilità. Da 4 anni <3 https://ilmondodichri.com/in-tenda-co...
Cute spur of the moment family camping trip filled with wild adventures and a quirky family. This children’s book is something different and leaves you filled with wonder about nature and how you never know what you’re going to find outside.
Забавна, увлекателна и много цветна. Петсън и Финдъс отново тръгват на приключение и въпреки, че кокошките се опитват да ги спрат, те пак успяват да си направят излет, пък било и в задния двор. И тази щука дълго ще ги преследва, в сънищата и в мечтите.