Karlsson-on-the-Roof
Encyclopedia
Karlsson-on-the-Roof is a fictional character in a series of children's books created by Swedish
author Astrid Lindgren
. The cartoon adaptation became popularised in the USSR with its release in the 1970s. To this day, the adaptations are still celebrated as an integral part of the Russian cartoon industry, with Karlsson being recognised as a national icon, together with Cheburashka
and other such characters.
. When Karlsson pushes a button on his stomach it starts a clever little motor with a propeller
on his back allowing him to fly. Karlsson is the best at everything, at least according to himself. But there is, in fact, one thing at which he excels: being a playmate to a young boy named Lillebror (little brother) who lives in this house with his family.
Karlsson is quite mischievous, often getting Lillebror in trouble, but everyone in the end - even Lillebror's family, his cranky uncle, and their dour housekeeper - grow to like Karlsson and appreciate his sense of humour, energy, and good nature.
There have been several film versions of this series. A live-action version, Världens bästa Karlsson
, was released in Sweden 1974, followed by a more recent animated film released in 2002.
The two Soviet
animated films, directed by Boris Stepantsev at Soyuzmultfilm
studio in 1968 and 1970, are two of the most celebrated and loved cartoons in Russia and other countries of the former USSR. Karlsson was voiced by Vasily Livanov
in those versions.
.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
author Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren , 14 November 1907 – 28 January 2002) was a Swedish author and screenwriter who is the world's 25th most translated author and has sold roughly 145 million copies worldwide...
. The cartoon adaptation became popularised in the USSR with its release in the 1970s. To this day, the adaptations are still celebrated as an integral part of the Russian cartoon industry, with Karlsson being recognised as a national icon, together with Cheburashka
Cheburashka
Cheburashka , also known as Topple in earlier English translations, is a character in children's literature, from a 1966 story by the Russian writer Eduard Uspensky. In Estonian the character is called Potsataja...
and other such characters.
Plot overview
Karlsson is a very short, very portly and overconfident man who lives on the roof of a very ordinary apartment building, on a very ordinary street in StockholmStockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. When Karlsson pushes a button on his stomach it starts a clever little motor with a propeller
Propeller
A propeller is a type of fan that transmits power by converting rotational motion into thrust. A pressure difference is produced between the forward and rear surfaces of the airfoil-shaped blade, and a fluid is accelerated behind the blade. Propeller dynamics can be modeled by both Bernoulli's...
on his back allowing him to fly. Karlsson is the best at everything, at least according to himself. But there is, in fact, one thing at which he excels: being a playmate to a young boy named Lillebror (little brother) who lives in this house with his family.
Karlsson is quite mischievous, often getting Lillebror in trouble, but everyone in the end - even Lillebror's family, his cranky uncle, and their dour housekeeper - grow to like Karlsson and appreciate his sense of humour, energy, and good nature.
Series
There are three Karlsson-on-the-Roof books:- 1955: Karlsson-on-the-Roof (ISBN 0670411779)
- 1962: Karlsson Flies Again
- 1968: Karlsson-on-the-Roof is Sneaking Around Again
Adaptations
Världens bästa Karlsson
Världens bästa Karlsson is a 1974 Swedish family film directed by Olle Hellbom. It is based on a book about Karlsson-on-the-Roof by Astrid Lindgren.- Cast :*Lars Söderdahl as Svante 'Lillebror' Svantesson*Mats Wikström as Karlsson...
, was released in Sweden 1974, followed by a more recent animated film released in 2002.
The two Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
animated films, directed by Boris Stepantsev at Soyuzmultfilm
Soyuzmultfilm
Soyuzmultfilm is a Russian animation studio based in Moscow. Over the years it has gained international attention and respect, garnering numerous awards both at home and abroad. Noted for a great variety of style, it is regarded as the most influential animation studio of the former Soviet Union...
studio in 1968 and 1970, are two of the most celebrated and loved cartoons in Russia and other countries of the former USSR. Karlsson was voiced by Vasily Livanov
Vasily Livanov
Vasily Borisovich Livanov MBE is a Soviet and Russian film actor, and screenwriter.-Biography:His father Boris Livanov was a prominent actor of the Moscow Art Theatre...
in those versions.
Criticism
Karlsson's antics earned him the ire of some traditional educators and parents, who believed Karlsson would incite young children to disobey authority, and mistrust and fear babysittersBabysitting
Babysitting is the practice of temporarily caring for a child on behalf of the child's parents. Babysitting is commonly performed as an odd job by teenagers for extra money.-General:...
.