Peter and Lotta’s Adventure

Peter and Lotta’s Adventure

Peter and Lotta need to find homes for some kittens. Washerwoman Wendy is always grumpy with them, but they hope that a gift will cheer her up — and it does!

That’s just the start of a day of unexpected adventures for two of Elsa Beskow’s most loved characters, as they find themselves asleep on a cart, at a mill miles from home and at a fair, disguised as an old man and woman.

About the Author

Elsa Beskow (1874–1953) was born in Stockholm. Her parents were entrepreneur Bernt Maartman (1841–1889), whose family came from Bergen, Norway, and Augusta Fahlstedt (1850–1915). Beskow studied Art Education at Konstfack, University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, then called Tekniska skolan, or the Technical school, in Stockholm. In 1897, she married former minister and social worker and doctor of theology Natanael Beskow, whom she met while serving as a teacher at Djursholms samskola, where he served as headmaster. They had six sons. Beskow became one of the best known of all Swedish children’s book artists. She also illustrated “ABC” books and songbooks for Swedish schools. Her book pages are often framed in a decorative Art Nouveau style. Beskow received international recognition for her simple, cheerful stories and outstanding illustrations.