What do you think?
Rate this book
Tomten #2
The Tomten and the Fox
"This is a bedtime story that small children will want to hear over and over again."--The New Yorker
In this sequel to the classic The Tomten, the creator of Pippi Longstocking adapts a Swedish folk tale into a beloved children's story. When a hungry fox wanders into a farm late at night looking for food, the guard troll Tomten finds a way to keep the farm animals safe and feed the fox at the same time.
"The illustrations have a luminous beauty. There's a kind, quiet calm here that warms the winter air."-- The New York Times
"Charming, hushed illustrations and quiet text together evoke the soft, snowy silence and winter beauty of a Swedish night. The troll Tomten mercifully saves the farm animals from the depredations of Reynard the fox, and manages to assuage the fox's hunger to boot!"--School Library Journal (starred review)
In this sequel to the classic The Tomten, the creator of Pippi Longstocking adapts a Swedish folk tale into a beloved children's story. When a hungry fox wanders into a farm late at night looking for food, the guard troll Tomten finds a way to keep the farm animals safe and feed the fox at the same time.
"The illustrations have a luminous beauty. There's a kind, quiet calm here that warms the winter air."-- The New York Times
"Charming, hushed illustrations and quiet text together evoke the soft, snowy silence and winter beauty of a Swedish night. The troll Tomten mercifully saves the farm animals from the depredations of Reynard the fox, and manages to assuage the fox's hunger to boot!"--School Library Journal (starred review)
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
About the author
Astrid Lindgren
1,007 books3,711 followersAstrid Anna Emilia Lindgren, née Ericsson, (1907 - 2002) was a Swedish children's book author and screenwriter, whose many titles were translated into 85 languages and published in more than 100 countries. She has sold roughly 165 million copies worldwide. Today, she is most remembered for writing the Pippi Longstocking books, as well as the Karlsson-on-the-Roof book series.
Awards:
Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (1958)
Awards:
Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (1958)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
December 8, 2020
A hungry fox and a watchful tomten find an arrangement that satisfies each of them. The winter scenes of the farmyard evoke a stillness and calm quiet, while the tomten’s watchful eyes settle the mind’s anxieties. A good nighttime read.
December 5, 2024
Ich habe das Hörbuch gehört. Es sind drei weihnachtliche/winterliche Geschichten enthalten. Tomte, der kleine Wichtel, der die Hühner vor dem Fuchs beschützt. Und dann noch eine Lotta-Geschichte und eine Madita-Geschichte.
Alle drei haben mir sehr gut gefallen. Es sind liebevoll erzählte Geschichten, wie man sie von Astrid Lindgren kennt.
Alle drei haben mir sehr gut gefallen. Es sind liebevoll erzählte Geschichten, wie man sie von Astrid Lindgren kennt.
January 2, 2019
A fox creeps up to a farm at night. Inside children chase past mother at the stove, towards a Christmas tree lit by candles. The fox looks hungrily in at the hens. Luckily someone is coming through the snow (we never could work out why the hens door was open at night?) The Tomten comes, a small elf like man who looks after the farm at night. He appreciates that the fox is hungry but asks the fox not to touch the hens and shares his porridge with him.
Harald Wiberg's illustrations are wonderful, he is very good at wintery scenes, night skies, animals, light and shadows. The expression of the fox is perfect, the illustrations are such a pleasure to look at. We always liked the fact the the fox was portrayed as hungry rather than mean and that the story concluded with the hens safe and the fox fed. The story has a wonderfully peaceful feel of animals and people preparing for sleep and all feeling safe. The fact that the Tomten is there makes the read all the more reassuring, the story tells us that the children haven't seen him but they know that he is there which I think makes a lovely cosy read for bedtime.
Harald Wiberg's illustrations are wonderful, he is very good at wintery scenes, night skies, animals, light and shadows. The expression of the fox is perfect, the illustrations are such a pleasure to look at. We always liked the fact the the fox was portrayed as hungry rather than mean and that the story concluded with the hens safe and the fox fed. The story has a wonderfully peaceful feel of animals and people preparing for sleep and all feeling safe. The fact that the Tomten is there makes the read all the more reassuring, the story tells us that the children haven't seen him but they know that he is there which I think makes a lovely cosy read for bedtime.
July 4, 2022
Sly Reynard is hungry, and looking for a meal. Perhaps a nice juicy hen would do . . . But, Reynard didn't count on the tomten who guards the farm at night. Maybe a deal can be brokered that will leave the fox with a full belly, and the chickens safe in the hen house . . .
The story is okay, but the real star(s) of the show here (aside from the fox) are the bleak and wintry illustrations by Harald Wiberg.
The story is okay, but the real star(s) of the show here (aside from the fox) are the bleak and wintry illustrations by Harald Wiberg.
November 28, 2022
LA VOLPE E IL TOMTE di Astrid Lindgren ed Eva Eriksson. Una strenna natalizia di origine svedese con illustrazioni spettacolari che ci immergono nel paesaggio e nell’atmosfera prenatalizia. Da 3 anni ❤ Recensione a cura di Daniela Bucci https://ilmondodichri.com/la-volpe-e-...
#lavolpeeiltomte #astridlindgren
#lavolpeeiltomte #astridlindgren
January 2, 2019
Following upon her earlier tale of
The Tomten
- a gnome-like being from Swedish folklore, said to watch over a farm and to care for its inhabitants - which was based upon a nineteenth-century poem by Viktor Rydberg, Astrid Lindgren once again delivers a lovely winter-time tale featuring that diminutive guardian and his night-time activities. Here the focus is more on a hungry fox, who comes prowling around the tomten's farm one frosty night, looking for something (preferably a hen) to fill his belly. Of course, the tomten has no intention of allowing his charges to be attacked, but he also feels compassion for the fox's need, and provides a lovely solution.
Like its predecessor, The Tomten and the Fox is based upon a poem - in this case, one written by Karl-Erik Forsslund - and illustrated by Harald Wiberg. It features the same gentle and compassionate sensibility, and the same feeling of snowy enchantment. I loved the exchange between the tomten and fox - An old tomten knows that a fox can be hungry. "You know that no one is allowed to steal our hens, don't you, Reynard?" "Hens," says Reynard. "Who thought of stealing hens?" - the humor of which is greatly enhanced by Wiberg's expressive artwork. What's particularly appealing about this story is that, despite his adversarial role, Reynard is not a villain (foxes too, need to eat!), and that the generous compromise offered by the tomten is acknowledged, in the narrative, to be a temporary one. "We'll see," says Reynard, when offered some of the tomten's porridge, and told that he must not steal hens in the future. A fox, after all, will always be a fox...
With a text that captures that ineffably magical feeling of night-time adventure - one that manages to feel gentle and reassuring, without ever eliding the harsher realities of life - and lovely artwork, this is another picture-winner from Astrid Lindgren! Highly recommended to any young reader who enjoyed the first tomten adventure, or who loves stories of foxes and/or little people.
Like its predecessor, The Tomten and the Fox is based upon a poem - in this case, one written by Karl-Erik Forsslund - and illustrated by Harald Wiberg. It features the same gentle and compassionate sensibility, and the same feeling of snowy enchantment. I loved the exchange between the tomten and fox - An old tomten knows that a fox can be hungry. "You know that no one is allowed to steal our hens, don't you, Reynard?" "Hens," says Reynard. "Who thought of stealing hens?" - the humor of which is greatly enhanced by Wiberg's expressive artwork. What's particularly appealing about this story is that, despite his adversarial role, Reynard is not a villain (foxes too, need to eat!), and that the generous compromise offered by the tomten is acknowledged, in the narrative, to be a temporary one. "We'll see," says Reynard, when offered some of the tomten's porridge, and told that he must not steal hens in the future. A fox, after all, will always be a fox...
With a text that captures that ineffably magical feeling of night-time adventure - one that manages to feel gentle and reassuring, without ever eliding the harsher realities of life - and lovely artwork, this is another picture-winner from Astrid Lindgren! Highly recommended to any young reader who enjoyed the first tomten adventure, or who loves stories of foxes and/or little people.
January 15, 2016
KEEPING VIGIL OVER THE WOODLAND FARM
This book should be read after the introductory tale, THE TOMTEN, which introduced this modest Scandinavian gnome. Based on Nordic legend this little fellow guards a farm; children and adults have heard about him, but never seen him--only his tiny footprints in the snow are proof he is on duty. His self-appointed mission is to guard the farm by night and help restless farm animals drift off to sleep.
But tonight a hungry fox comes exploring. How can the little fellow with the long white beard
and red stocking cap protect the animals--yet show kindness to a hungry creature? I have long loved this gentle tale, with its compassionate message and captivating illustrations. I feel that Tomten Lore should be a part of all children's heritage--even if they don't have Scandinavian ancestry. A third book is the longer THE CHRISTMAS TOMTEN. Sprinkled with falling stars!
January 15, 2016
This book should be read after the introductory tale, THE TOMTEN, which introduced this modest Scandinavian gnome. Based on Nordic legend this little fellow guards a farm; children and adults have heard about him, but never seen him--only his tiny footprints in the snow are proof he is on duty. His self-appointed mission is to guard the farm by night and help restless farm animals drift off to sleep.
But tonight a hungry fox comes exploring. How can the little fellow with the long white beard
and red stocking cap protect the animals--yet show kindness to a hungry creature? I have long loved this gentle tale, with its compassionate message and captivating illustrations. I feel that Tomten Lore should be a part of all children's heritage--even if they don't have Scandinavian ancestry. A third book is the longer THE CHRISTMAS TOMTEN. Sprinkled with falling stars!
January 15, 2016
January 1, 2018
A family favorite, this book is a translation of Viktor Rydberg's poem "Tomten", about the little elf-like creature in Sweden known as the Tomten. This volume includes Tomten's new friend the fox. Though not specifically about Christmas, we have it shelved with our Christmas books. We liked seeing the farm get ready for winter and how the Tomten protects his farm and learns how to have compassion for the fox, a natural enemy of farm animals. The illustrations by Harold Viberg are a little dark for a children's story but they convey winter very well. I don't know how well kids of today brought up with too much multi-media enjoy this charming, simple story. I haven't tried to read it to any of the nieces or nephews just yet.
December 12, 2020
Tämä oli rakkautta ensilukemalla!
Ensitöikseni minun on myönnettävä, että olen aivan heikkona joulu-aiheisiin kuvakirjoihin ja muutenkin tunnustaudun tätänykyä olevani suuri joulu-intoilija. Nyt kun tämä tunnustus on tehty kirjallisena, jatketaan tunnustusten linjaa ja myönnetään, että sydämeni hypähtää jokikinen kerta kun näen tonttu ja kettu -aiheisia kuvituksia.
Ei liene siis ihme, että tämä kirja varasti sydämeni ihan täysin? Satu oli kerrassaan hellyyttävä, riimittely mielestäni oikein luontevaa ja kuvitus oli sitä luokkaa, että haluaisin useamman sivun / aukeaman kuvituksen tauluksi seinälleni.
Tämä kirja lienee hankittava omaan kirjahyllyyn.
Ensitöikseni minun on myönnettävä, että olen aivan heikkona joulu-aiheisiin kuvakirjoihin ja muutenkin tunnustaudun tätänykyä olevani suuri joulu-intoilija. Nyt kun tämä tunnustus on tehty kirjallisena, jatketaan tunnustusten linjaa ja myönnetään, että sydämeni hypähtää jokikinen kerta kun näen tonttu ja kettu -aiheisia kuvituksia.
Ei liene siis ihme, että tämä kirja varasti sydämeni ihan täysin? Satu oli kerrassaan hellyyttävä, riimittely mielestäni oikein luontevaa ja kuvitus oli sitä luokkaa, että haluaisin useamman sivun / aukeaman kuvituksen tauluksi seinälleni.
Tämä kirja lienee hankittava omaan kirjahyllyyn.
Read
December 25, 2018GOD JUL till er alla!
December 4, 2021
Könnte es jedes Jahr zur Weihnachtszeit lesen ♥️
December 28, 2018
On tähtikirkas yö, kun nälkäinen kettu lähtee etsimään murkinaa. Kanapaistin osoite on repolaisella tiedossa, mutta jääkö se sittenkin ilman herkkuja, kun kuvaan astuu pihapiiriä vartioiva tonttu?
Kettu ja tonttu on ihan mukavaa luettavaa talviseen satuhetkeen mutta ei Astrid Lindgreniä sieltä aivan parhaasta päästä. Kuvitus on kaunis ja tunnelmallinen.
Kettu ja tonttu on ihan mukavaa luettavaa talviseen satuhetkeen mutta ei Astrid Lindgreniä sieltä aivan parhaasta päästä. Kuvitus on kaunis ja tunnelmallinen.
February 21, 2018
"The Tomten was nice because he was taking care of the fox" - three-year-old response after the first read. Having my child realize that it is nice to take care of others and sharing with others is always a good message to enforce.
March 18, 2015
My literal husband says that a fox needs more nutrition than that provided by a bowl of porridge. Interesting, rather strange story with very nice artwork.
February 19, 2015
I was on a mission last night to find an old book from my childhood and ended up digging through a box of children's books and rediscovering some of my old favorites. I loved loved loved this story as a child and remember my grandmother always reading it to my brother and me. And I never realized it was written by the same woman who wrote Pippi Longstocking.
It's a sweet old story about a tomten (never could figure out exactly what a tompten is), and old man who looks after the animals on a farm late at night when everyone is sleeping. When a Fox shows up, the old tomten befriends it and finds it something to eat in order to divert it from eating the farm animals. Sometimes showing kindness to a misunderstood creature is the way to win it over.
Loved this story and can't wait to read it to my kids someday.
It's a sweet old story about a tomten (never could figure out exactly what a tompten is), and old man who looks after the animals on a farm late at night when everyone is sleeping. When a Fox shows up, the old tomten befriends it and finds it something to eat in order to divert it from eating the farm animals. Sometimes showing kindness to a misunderstood creature is the way to win it over.
Loved this story and can't wait to read it to my kids someday.
January 27, 2013
Every time my 3-year-old and I finish reading this book, we both say "That was a GOOD story!"
The pictures are lovely, the story is nice, and the message conveyed is unusual for our modern children's books. The Tomten takes care of the residents of the farm (including the animals) and has sympathy for the hungry fox. The fox is grateful but is still a fox with a fox's nature. You know he'll try for the hens again some day.
But all ends well; everyone is happy on a beautiful winter's night.
The pictures are lovely, the story is nice, and the message conveyed is unusual for our modern children's books. The Tomten takes care of the residents of the farm (including the animals) and has sympathy for the hungry fox. The fox is grateful but is still a fox with a fox's nature. You know he'll try for the hens again some day.
But all ends well; everyone is happy on a beautiful winter's night.
November 25, 2017
Söt berättelse och sagolika bilder.
December 25, 2019
Charmig & fin med underbara illustrationer!
December 18, 2022
Fin, finurlig och lagom spännande berättelse som passar jättebra att läsa högt. De fina och detaljrika illustrationerna av Eva Eriksson tar sagan och folktrons väsen till vår tid och ger igenkänning för dagens barn.
November 27, 2019
Fina bilder.
December 27, 2022
My wife declared, "The Swedes! I knew it was the Swedes!"
December 7, 2023
Bardzo ładne ilustracje. Malutko tekstu więc idealna dla małych dzieci.
December 17, 2023
I picked these up a while ago because I love gnomes and finally got around to reading them! These are very sweet, soft little stories with beautiful illustrations. Perfect for this time of year.
December 24, 2024
Dag 24 i min julnovellkalender.
Vilken småsöt julklapp. Olof Wretling går in för inläsningen till 100%.
Vilken småsöt julklapp. Olof Wretling går in för inläsningen till 100%.
June 10, 2024
Love the illustrations
January 18, 2016
As a child, my sister and I loved this book. As an adult I find the illustrations a bit creepy, but nostalgia still has its pull on me. I texted a photo of the cover to my mom and sister and they were both delighted with the memories it evoked.
May 10, 2017
This is a great story. First published in Sweden in 1965, it has been loved by 3 generations in my home. I just love the idea of sharing and kindness. I like that the family looks out for the Tomten and the Tomten then is able to look after the farm and the animals.
November 4, 2012
Cute story about a tomte who watches over the livestock but feeds the fox as well. The artwork has a wonderful magical-feeling.
August 12, 2013
Picture book for kids - story is very slight.
October 30, 2017
Fina illustrationer och mysig berättelse, men inte det bästa av Astrid Lindgren.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews