OUP reimagines Pippi in young reader format

Oxford University Press (OUP) Children’s will launch Pippi Longstocking early reader titles ahead of the first book’s 75th anniversary in 2020.

OUP will release Do You Know Pippi Longstocking? and Pippi Longstocking’s After-Christmas Party in an early reader paperback format for younger readers, with the original text by Astrid Lindgren and artwork by Ingrid Vang Nyman.The two books previously only existed as picture books.

The books will be published in collaboration with The Astrid Lindgren Company in September 2019.

Liz Cross, head of children’s publishing at OUP, said: “Pippi Longstocking is one of the most enduring characters in children’s fiction. Like Matilda and Madeline, she’s a character that will inspire children for life, and we are excited to make her extraordinary exploits accessible to younger readers with these newly designed books, perfect for those moving on from picture books to young fiction.”

Lindgren wrote the first Pippi Longstocking book in the early 1940s and the manuscript, after being rejected by Bonnier, was published by Rabén & Sjögren in 1945. The series has sold in more than 60 languages and OUP has been the UK home for Pippi since 1948.

Olle Nyman, c.e.o. at The Astrid Lindgren Company and grandson of Astrid Lindgren, said: “We can't wait for British audiences of all ages to experience the particular combination of wit, humanity, independence and flair that turned Astrid Lindgren and Pippi Longstocking into icons both in Scandinavia and internationally.”