The Land of Long Ago - by Elsa Beskow (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Kelly and Kai love to play on the gnarled old tree trunk outside their cottage in the woods: sometimes it becomes a horse, sometimes a crocodile and sometimes even a dragon.

One day a mischievous gnome makes the tree trunk come to life, and the children are whisked off to the Land of Long Ago on the back of the old tree dragon. On their incredible journey Kelly and Kai meet a princess, rescue a knight and trick the king of the trolls. But will the old tree dragon stay alive long enough to bring them home again?

A delightful fairy tale from Elsa Beskow, with beautiful illustrations in her unique, classic style.

Review Quotes

'A beloved Swedish tale, literally from long ago, is now published in English... The illustrations have the lovely faded texture of a well-worn and oft-read story, with soft colors and edges and static tableaux. The particular images of princess and knight, dragon and meadow, sheep and garden echo antecedents in medieval manuscripts and in 19th-century book illustration... An old-fashioned telling with definite contemporary appeal.'
- Kirkus Reviews

'I would recommend this fairy tale with its classic pictures for young people aged 3 to 6 years, and it is very enjoyable to read it out loud.'
- Education Otherwise

'Elsa captures the magic of childhood beautifully.'
- Juno Magazine

About the Author