I can hardly write this without being overcome by sentimentality and childhood memories.  Björn Berg illustrated Astrid Lindgren‘s and Alf Prøysen‘s work and my Swedish world perfectly.

His depictions of Emil and Teskedsgumman (Mrs. Pepperpot) are searing in their spartan simplicity.  The role of the illustrator is to illuminate the text.  Björn Berg says so much with his quick hand and with his mastery of the human figure and movement.  Just looking at the illustrations gives the reader an indication of the action in the text.  The Sweden in his books are TRUTH.  I lived this life and I live it still in my mind and soul.  I ache for Sweden.  But it’s still there.  I know I can always visit it in the pages of Emil i Lönneberga.

Teskedsgumman:

Emil i Lönneberga: (some scans from my personal book library)

From: Emil i Lönneberga by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Björn Berg. 3rd Edition Rabén & Sjögren, Stockholm ©1963

From: Än Lever Emil i Lönneberga by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Björn Berg. 3rd Edition Rabén & Sjögren, Stockholm ©1971