Ett rike av blåbär och lingon

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study is to examine how cultural nationalism, with particular regards to pastoral ideals and family ideals, has affected the literary works of Swedish children’s author Elsa Beskow. The study focuses on Beskow’s works from that of her first book that was published in 1897 until 1918. The study will present a brief presentation of the author’s life and authorship followed by individual analyses of five of Beskow’s works. These works include Sagan om den lilla, lilla gumman (Tale of the Little, Little Old Woman) (1897), Puttes äventyr i Blåbärsskogen (Peter in Blueberry Land) (1901), Tomtebobarnen (Children of the Forest) (1910), Pelles nya kläder (Pelle’s New Suit) (1912) and Tant Grön, Tant Brun och Tant Gredelin (Aunt Green, Aunt Brown and Aunt Lavender) (1918). These works were written in an era of Swedish history when nationalism was deeply rooted in both social and political structures. At the same time a national project to increase art and aesthetics in children’s education develops and the importance of children’s literature increases. The study will examine the relationship between the works of Beskow, the demand for aesthetics in Sweden during the last turn of the century and national identity.