There are no cultural references which could tie it to a particular period of time and the stories go to the heart of what children love - freedom to be themselves and adventure. Pippi was first published in 1945 and you might expect it to be a little dated by now, but it's still fresh as a daisy. She frequently gets into trouble (well, that's not quite how she sees it, you understand) but she's never hurtful and she's the best friend there could be to her neighbours Tommy and Annika. It's gloriously anarchic, with Pippi being strong enough to lift a horse (well, he does get in the way sometimes) and doesn't go to school because she managed for nine years without knowing her pluttification tables and sees no reason to change the situation now. Pippi Longstocking is one of the few books which I'd say that every child should read. Well, a few do try, but Pippi always gives them short shrift and gets on with living her life the way that she wants to live it.

Pippi believes that he's away being the King of the Cannibals (and that she's therefore a Princess of the Cannibals) and in the meantime she lives on her own - well except for a horse, a monkey and a suitcase full of gold - and with NO grown-ups to tell her what to do. Her mother is dead and her father was blown off his ship. Pippi Longstocking lives the life of every girl's dream. You don't need to know more than that you should buy it. Summary: One of the few books which I'm adamant every child should read.

Pippi book