Albas Nils Holgersson

Nilsi is a 14-year-old troublemaker and bully, who misbehaves with everyone, especially animals. As a punishment for his behavior, he is transformed into a dwarf, where he must atone for all these iniquities. Riding on the back of his horse Martin, he already begins to look at the world with a different eye: to look at it from above. Nils' journey is not only a physical journey, but also a journey within himself. Busy with farm chores and constrained by an authoritarian parenting philosophy, Nils' parents have failed where old goose Aka has succeeded. She wisely teaches Nils the value and beauty of work, kindness, friendship and the word given. She includes Nils in everyday life, gives him tasks that make him feel valuable. Nilsi ends 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 Aka's words: "Please, Nils, tell people to leave a little more space for us, an uninhabited island, a shallow lake, a muddy swamp or a bare mountain, where we can live peacefully. Nature is very big and there is room for everyone and it won't cost you anything. Tell them not to kill or hurt us, because we are also beings, just like you!"