IKEA has finally re-opened and I managed to turn a shopping trip into a “field trip to see Swedish design and get Swedish snacks.” The kids immediately noticed the Swedish flag in front of the store and pointed out that the store’s colors match the colors of the flag. As we paused for the zillionth time to discuss “boring adult furniture talk,” one of my kids saw a small framed photo of a man carving a Swedish Dala Horse. I was pretty impressed with their observations!
Navigate this page: Missions, Booklists, Ecosystems, Cooking, Composer Study, Folk Dance/Music, Art Project/Handicraft, Art Study, Movie, Videos
Mapping it out
- Crayola.com’s Free printable of Sweden’s Flag and Map
- Seterra.com’s Free printable maps of Europe
- Seterra.com’s Free online geography games for Europe
Missions Spotlight
- Prayercast.com/Sweden: Prayer Points, Summary, Quick Facts
**parents should preview the short prayercast.com video for sensitive topics that may not be age appropriate.
Booklists
Introduction to Sweden (these series have been kid approved)
- “Sweden,” by Rachel Grack (Exploring Countries series, grades 2-5)
- “Sweden,” by Amy Rechner (Country Profiles series, grades 3-7)
- “Sweden,” by Ann Heinrichs (Enchantment of the World Series, grades 5+)
Picture Books
- “Annika’s secret wish,” by Beverly Lewis (Christmas)
- “The Legend of the Christmas Rose,” by Ellin Greene (Christmas)
- “The Tomten,” by Astrid Lindgren
- “The Tomten and the Fox,” by Astrid Lindgren
- “The Boy who ate more than the giant and other Swedish folktales,” translated by Sheila La Farge
- “D is for Dala Horse: A Nordic Countries Alphabet,” by Kathy-Jo Wargin
- LAPLAND
- “Even the Devil is Afraid of a Shrew: A Folktale of Lapland,” retold by Valerie Stalder
- “Izak of Lapland,” by Maya Angelou
- “The reindeer people,” by Ted Lewin
- “The son of the sun and the daughter of the moon: a Saami folktale,” told by Holly Young Auth
- BIOGRAPHIES
- “Queen Christina of Sweden,” by Joanne Matter
- “Astrid Lindgren,” by Maria Vegara (Jr Bio of the author of Pippi Longstocking)
- “Karl, get out of the garden!: Carolus Linnaeus and the naming of everything,” by Anita Sanchez
Chapter Books
- “Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the buttered bread” by Maj Lindman
- “The Gate Swings In: A Story of Sweden” by Nora Burglon
- “Kristina, the girl king” by Carolyn Meyer (Jr bio)
- “Lucia Morning in Sweden,” by Ewa Rydaker
- “Scandinavian folk & fairy tales: tales from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland,” edited by Claire Booss
- “Great Swedish fairy tales,”translated by Holger Lundbergh
- “The wonderful adventures of Nils,” by Selma Lagerlöf; adapted by Kochka (Lapland)
- “The adventures of Pippi Longstocking,” by Astrid Lindgren
- “Pippi Goes On Board,” by Astrid Lindgren
- “Pippi in the South Seas,” by Astrid Lindgren
- “Kirsten’s Surprise,” by Janet Shaw (part of the American Girl Series)
Kirsten’s storyline is about a family that emigrated from Sweden. Most of the Kirsten books are more about their adapting to life in the United States, but “Kirsten’s Surprise” covers the Swedish traditions around St. Lucia’s day and at Christmastime.
Ecosystems of Sweden
Arctic Taiga and Tundra (also listed under Norway and Finland)
- “Tundras inside out,” James Bow
- “Life in the tundra,” Penny Clarke.
- “Tundra,” Aaron Frisch
- “Reindeer,” by Emily Bernhard
- “Reindeer,” Katie Marsico
- “Caribou and Reindeer, too,” by Joyce Markovics
- “Taiga,” Trevor Day
Cooking Swedish Food with Kids
Swedish people make time for a fika every day, which is a purposeful break to socialize with family and friends over coffee and pastries. We got lots of goodies, including Swedish coffee, at Ikea to have our own fika, and I might just rename what we our family calls “afternoon snack” or “teatime.” (There are more recipe links and pictures in Recipes by Country: Sweden.)
The kids made Swedish Sand Tarts (Sandbakelser), shaping the dough into tarts. After we baked them, we filled it up with Swedish lingonberry jam from Ikea, and then let the kids play off the sugar in the yard. This idea is from the book Global Art.
We also made “Lussekatter,” saffron rolls that Norwegians make for the feast of St. Lucia. The kids loved making the S shape.
Composer Study
We listened to the music of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg during our studies of Iceland, Norway and Sweden. For links to audios for kids, kids books and YouTube videos, visit my page: “Composers: Edvard Grieg.” For ideas of how to do Composer Study, visit my page: “Art and Music.”
Folk Dance and Music of Sweden
- “Akedemipolska” by Swedish composer, Eric Sahlström, features Norwegian Olav Luksengård Mjelva on the hardanger fiddle and Swedish Erik Rydvall on the nyckelharpa.
- Video: “Nyckelharpa,” Eric Sahlström Institute
- Video: What is a Nyckelharpa?
- Sweden Music and Images
- Podcast: Big Life Kids Podcast, Episode 31: “The Curious Case of Trying New Things,” features Swedish jazz musician Gunhild Carling and her amazing musical talent and persistence.
Art Project/Handicraft
I know, I know, why didn’t we carve a Swedish Dala Horse? It actually looks quite complicated, requiring wood machinery for the fabrication of the general shape. We did try soap carving, so maybe we will get around to wood carving if grandpa prefabricates a dala horse for us.
Art Study
We discussed the paintings of Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn during our studies of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Netherlands. For a list of suggested artwork and links to videos, visit my page: “Artists: Rembrandt.” For ideas of how to do Art Study, visit my page: “Art and Music.”
Movie!
We watched “The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking” after the kids had finished reading all three of her books. She is so much fun!
