Anne-Catharina Vestly
Encyclopedia
Anne-Cath. Vestly was a Norwegian author of children’s literature
whose stature in Norwegian society can somewhat be compared to Sweden's famous children's book author Astrid Lindgren
among Swedish people.
, Åmot
in Hedmark
. Her first book, Ole Aleksander Filibom-bom-bom, eventually developed into a series of twelve books. She challenged the traditional gender roles in the "Aurora" series (1966–1972), in which she depicts a family where the mother works as a lawyer, while the father, an ancient history
Ph.D.
candidate, stays at home with their two children.
Her most famous work Eight Children and a Truck (Åtte små, to store og en lastebil in Norwegian) concerns a family with eight children living in a small apartment in Oslo
. It was the first in a series of nine books, the last of which was published in 2000 about the children’s grandmother. The series is known as the "Eight Children" series in English ("Mormor og de åtte ungene" in Norwegian) and was published in English translation by Methuen. It is one of the most famous Norwegian children's book series. Methuen has also published several of Vestly's other children's books, including those of the "Aurora" series.
Vestly also worked as an actress, playing Grandma in the television and screen versions of Grandma and the Eight Children (Mormor og de åtte ungene). She also co-starred with Alf Prøysen
in Kanutten og Romeo Klive (1963), a popular children's television show.
She married Johan Vestly
in 1946, who illustrated all her books until his death in 1993 (although some of the English translations were illustrated by John Dyke). Anne-Cath. Vestly was also the sister of Mentz Schulerud
and aunt of Ingrid Schulerud
, married to Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg
.
in early 2006. According to her family, she had shown signs of dementia for several years prior to her diagnosis. She spent her final years living in a nursing home in Mjøndalen, where she died on 15 December 2008 at the age of 88.
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
whose stature in Norwegian society can somewhat be compared to Sweden's famous children's book author Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren , 14 November 1907 – 28 January 2002) was a Swedish author and screenwriter who is the world's 25th most translated author and has sold roughly 145 million copies worldwide...
among Swedish people.
Biography
She was born Anne Catharina Schulerud in RenaRena, Norway
Rena is a small town in eastern Norway. It is the administrative centre of Åmot municipality in the Norwegian county of Hedmark. Rena is a rather rural but picturesque town, and is situated at the meeting point of Glomma and Rena rivers . The latter is one of the best for fishing in Norway.Its...
, Åmot
Åmot
Åmot is a municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Østerdalen. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Rena...
in Hedmark
Hedmark
is a county in Norway, bordering Sør-Trøndelag, Oppland and Akershus. The county administration is in Hamar.Hedmark makes up the northeastern part of Østlandet, the southeastern part of the country. It includes a long part of the borderline with Sweden, Dalarna County and Värmland County. The...
. Her first book, Ole Aleksander Filibom-bom-bom, eventually developed into a series of twelve books. She challenged the traditional gender roles in the "Aurora" series (1966–1972), in which she depicts a family where the mother works as a lawyer, while the father, an ancient history
Ancient history
Ancient history is the study of the written past from the beginning of recorded human history to the Early Middle Ages. The span of recorded history is roughly 5,000 years, with Cuneiform script, the oldest discovered form of coherent writing, from the protoliterate period around the 30th century BC...
Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
candidate, stays at home with their two children.
Her most famous work Eight Children and a Truck (Åtte små, to store og en lastebil in Norwegian) concerns a family with eight children living in a small apartment in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. It was the first in a series of nine books, the last of which was published in 2000 about the children’s grandmother. The series is known as the "Eight Children" series in English ("Mormor og de åtte ungene" in Norwegian) and was published in English translation by Methuen. It is one of the most famous Norwegian children's book series. Methuen has also published several of Vestly's other children's books, including those of the "Aurora" series.
Vestly also worked as an actress, playing Grandma in the television and screen versions of Grandma and the Eight Children (Mormor og de åtte ungene). She also co-starred with Alf Prøysen
Alf Prøysen
Alf Prøysen , was a writer and musician from Norway. He was born at Rudshøgda in Ringsaker. Prøysen was one of the most important Norwegian cultural personalities in the second half of the twentieth century, and he made significant contributions to literature, music, TV and radio.His childhood was...
in Kanutten og Romeo Klive (1963), a popular children's television show.
She married Johan Vestly
Johan Vestly
Johan Vestly was a Norwegian illustrator, artist and film producer.Johan Vestly was born in Oslo, Norway. After taking his secondary education in 1943, he studied at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry as well as privately. He also stayed in Paris in 1949...
in 1946, who illustrated all her books until his death in 1993 (although some of the English translations were illustrated by John Dyke). Anne-Cath. Vestly was also the sister of Mentz Schulerud
Mentz Schulerud
Mentz Schulerud was a Norwegian author, radio personality and theatre director. He was known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the city of Oslo....
and aunt of Ingrid Schulerud
Ingrid Schulerud
Ingrid Schulerud is a Norwegian diplomat. She is the Deputy Director General for Central Europe and EEA-financing in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is also the wife of Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg....
, married to Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg
Jens Stoltenberg
is a Norwegian politician, leader of the Norwegian Labour Party and the current Prime Minister of Norway. Having assumed office on 17 October 2005, Stoltenberg previously served as Prime Minister from 2000 to 2001....
.
Final years and death
Anne-Cath. Vestly was diagnosed with Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
in early 2006. According to her family, she had shown signs of dementia for several years prior to her diagnosis. She spent her final years living in a nursing home in Mjøndalen, where she died on 15 December 2008 at the age of 88.
Selected awards
- Riksmålsprisen, 1977
- Peer Gynt Prize, 1980
- Alf Prøysens Ærespris, 1986
- Norwegian Booksellers' PrizeNorwegian Booksellers' PrizeThe Norwegian Booksellers' Prize is a literature prize was awarded by the Norwegian Booksellers Association. It was initiated in 1948, then did not return until 1961...
, 1986 (for the book Mormor og de åtte ungene på sykkeltur i Danmark) - SpellemannprisenSpellemannprisenSpellemannprisen is an award presented to Norwegian musicians for their contributions.-Operation:The award was established on the initiative of International Federation of the Phonographic Industry , an organization that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide...
1991 (for the album Marte og mormor og mormor og Morten 1-4) - Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav (Knight, First Class) 1992
- Norsk kulturråds æresprisNorsk kulturråds æresprisThe Arts Council Norway Honorary Award is awarded annually by the Arts Council Norway. The prize is awarded annually to a person who has made a significant contribution to Norwegian art and culture. The prize committee does not solicit nominations and the decision on award is made in closed meeting...
, 1994 - Brage PrizeBrage PrizeThe Brage Prize is a Norwegian literature prize that is awarded annually by the Norwegian Book Prize foundation...
Honorary Award, 1995 - Prillarguri Award, 2000