Oh, What a Busy Day Book

I simply don't understand why some terrible children's books become famous, while others, which are quite brilliant, are virtually unknown. This was one of our kids' favourites when they were very small, and it is terrific. Most children's books that attempt to instil wisdom and moral principles are nauseating, but Stora Bilderboken delivers.

The page I like best is about uncontrollable emotions, and, I am honestly not exaggerating, is just one of the best and most insightful pieces of writing I have ever seen on this subject. The title is Ibland ("Sometimes"), and it is a series of single sentences, each with an accompanying picture. Typical examples, I translate, are the following:Sometimes you just want to annoy people and be bad.

Sometimes you feel shy and don't dare talk to anyone.

Sometimes you have scary dreams.

Sometimes it feels nice to cry.At the end, there's a couplet often quoted in our household:Ibland gråter killar, ibland slåss en tjej
Så är det för alla, för dig och för migSometimes boys cry, and sometimes girls fight
It's like that for everyone, for me and you as well.