Vigdis - by Rán Flygenring (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Vigdis Finnbogaódttir made history in 1980 when she became the world's first woman to be democratically elected president. Her rise to Iceland's highest office caused ripples around the world, challenging the conservative ideas of older generations and inspiring girls and women to think big. In this acclaimed picture book by áRn Flygenring, readers are invited to join a young and imaginative writer-in-the-making, who pays an unforgettable visit to Vigdis and learns that Vigdis was also was the first single woman in Iceland to adopt a child and became a trailblazer in protecting the environment. The result is a touching story of the world becoming a better place, perfect for election year."--

Book Synopsis

★ "In this winningly informal introduction, a budding young writer sits with Vigdís to enjoy her famous Bessastaðir cookies and chat about her early years..." - Booklist (STARRED review)

A 2025 USBBY Outstanding International Book (OIB)

A CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center) 2025 Pick

The heartwarming story of the world's first female president proves that change happens one person at a time.

From the acclaimed winner of the 2023 Nordic Council Children and Young People's Literature Prize

Vigdis Finnbogadóttir made history in 1980 when she became the world's first woman to be democratically elected president. Her rise to Iceland's highest office caused ripples around the world, challenging the conservative ideas of older generations and inspiring girls and women to think big.

In this acclaimed picture book by Rán Flygenring, readers are invited to join a young and imaginative writer-in-the-making, who pays an unforgettable visit to Vigdis and learns that Vigdis was also was the first single woman in Iceland to adopt a child and became a trailblazer in protecting the environment. The result is a touching story of the world becoming a better place, perfect for election year.

Winner of the Reykjavík Children's Book Award

Review Quotes

★ "In this winningly informal introduction, a budding young writer sits with Vigdís to enjoy her famous Bessastaðir cookies and chat about her early years..." - Booklist (STARRED review)

"Full of appealing, off-beat illustrations, this one will give
youngsters insight into a nation--and a political figure--they may be
unfamiliar with [...] Inspiring--and likely to have readers wishing for
more female leaders to read about." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Vigdís shows how power is best kept in the hands of those who have respect for others, be it children, citizens or nature." - Halla þórlaug Óskarsdóttir

About the Author

Rán Flygenring is an Icelandic/Norwegian creative, working the field of storytelling and illustration. Her name rhymes with brown and is borrowed from the goddess of the sea in Norse mythology. In daily spoken Icelandic it is more commonly used for robbery. Rán graduated with a degree from the Iceland Academy of the Arts in 2009 and has since then worked on a vast variety of projects including picture books and published pieces, live scribing at conferences and weddings, art installations and wall murals. She has received numerous prestigious awards and nominations for her work.