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Whilst Iceland clearly has a thriving children’s literature scene, few books are translated into English and even fewer are available to buy outside of Iceland so I’ve struggled a little today with bringing you a round up of children’s books from or about Iceland which you might enjoy.

But here goes – and of course, if you know of any Icelandic books for kids, please do let me know about them in the comments!

Having discovered that a major illustration prize in Iceland is named after The Story of Dimmalimm by Guðmundur Thorsteinsson (translated into several languages, including Japanese) I decided I really ought to start my Icelandic picture book education with this book.

Written in 1921 it tells a tale surely inspired by Swan Lake. Princess Dimmalimm always plays by herself within the walls of the palace garden. “She was sweet and good, and she was also very obedient.”

One day Dimmalimm is granted permission to explore the world outside. Everything is different beyond the walls but she does find a lake full of swans and is utterly entranced. She makes friends with one swan in particular and soon she is visiting him every day.

But on one visit she discovers her swan dead at the lake shore. Dimmalimm is heartbroken. Some days later the princess returns to the lake to grieve, but her tears are staunched by the voice of handsome prince.

“One day an ugly old woman came by. She was a witch. She laid a spell upon me and turned me into a swan and said that the spell could not be broken until I should meet a girl who would be sweet and obedient and who would love me.”

And with the bad magic dispelled the prince and princess marry and live happily every after.

If I’m totally honest I was rather underwhelmed by this book. It’s an uncomplicated, familiar tale and its emphasis on “obedience” sat slightly uncomfortably with me and my modern sensibilities. The illustrations are gentle watercolours and match the story well in terms of simplicity and straightforwardness.

Apparently this book is hugely popular in Iceland and if this really is the case, I’m a little puzzled. If there are any Icelanders out there reading this post, please leave a comment to help me understand why The Story of Dimmalimm is so well loved in your home country!

Moving on hopefully, the following are books in translation which I’ve not been able to get hold of but are included here simply because there are so few translated books to point you towards.