Today, March 2nd, is National Read Across America Day in honor of the birthday of Dr. Seuss.
In honor of the day we are highlighting the books of Maj Lindman of Sweden – specifically her Flicka, Ricka and Dicka and Snip, Snap, and Snurr books.
Originally published in the 1920s in Sweden and then printed in English in the United States from the 1930s, these are beloved, classic stories about the adventures of three little Swedish girls Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka and three little Swedish boys Snip, Snap, and Snurr.
Mary Hultén, known as Maj Lindman, was born August 17, 1886 in Örebro parish. She was a Swedish illustrator, visual artist, writer and sculptor and was also known as Maj Lindman-Jan during her marriage to Gustaf Jansson-Jan (married 1908-1921; divorced) and Maj Lindman-Hultén during her marriage to Bengt Hultén (married 1925–1972 when he passed away).
Lindman and Gustaf Jansson had three children Åke (1909–1991), Brita Hamilton (1913–1999) and Karin Lindman (1914–2002).
She studied at Kerstin Cardon’s painting school 1905-1906 and at the Academy of Fine Arts 1907-1908. She also studied art in Paris, France. She has written and illustrated the books mentioned above as well as the little dog with the yellow ear and a hundred other works, several of them translated and published in the United States.
Lindman has also illustrated several editions of Swedish school posters.
Lindman died August 6, 1972 in Grödinge parish in Stockholm County and is buried at Bromma Cemetery.
Today, Lindman’s books are still filled with fun stories that kids, of all ages, enjoy reading again and again.