Nils Holgersson

Nils is a fourteen-year-old mischievous and rude boy who treats everyone badly, especially animals. As punishment for his behaviour, he is turned into a gnome and must atone for all his misdeeds. Riding on the back of his goose Martin, he begins to see the world with different eyes: from above. Nils's journey is not only a physical one, but also a journey within himself. Busy with farm work and limited by an authoritarian parenting philosophy, Nils's parents fail where the wise Akka succeeds. She patiently teaches Nils the value and beauty of work, kindness, friendship and keeping one's word. She involves Nils in daily life and gives him tasks that make him feel valuable. Nils finishes the journey as a strong boy who knows how to love and respect himself and others.

The book closes with a powerful message for today, in Akka's words: "Please, Nils, tell people to leave a little room for us: an uninhabited island, a shallow lake, a muddy marsh or a bare mountain where we can live in peace. Nature is very large and there is room for everyone, and this will cost you nothing. Tell them not to kill or harm us, for we too are living beings, just like you!"