Happy Times in Noisy Village
#2 in Barnen i Bullerbyn Series
What’s inside...
Astrid Lindgren’s third full-length Bullerbyn book follows Lisa and her five farm-yard friends through a full Swedish country year. From a moonlit crayfish party to winter sled races, from haymaking in high summer to the candle-lit Saint Lucia procession, each chapter presents a self-contained adventure rooted in 1920s rural Sweden. The children’s everyday escapades—building secret hideouts, rescuing a lamb, confronting a wild boar—celebrate cooperation, imagination, and the simple joys of growing up in a close community.
Character compass
Lisa
Kerstin
Olle
Britta
Anna
Bosse
Lasse
Olof
Mr. Kind
Agda
Miss Johnson
Bill
Grandfather
Karl
Discussion points
Which village tradition would you like to try and why?
How did the children solve the broken doll carriage problem?
What makes the crayfish party feel special to the villagers?
How did the friends support each other during the boar scare?
Tip: Role play these questions
Compare rural chores with household tasks your child does.
Cook a Swedish treat after the Saint Lucia chapter for multisensory learning.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork makes tasks enjoyable.
Explanation: Haymaking succeeds once everyone helps stack and pitch hay.
Real-World Application: Tackling chores together at home becomes quicker and fun.
Example Lesson: Creativity turns boredom into adventure.
Explanation: The forest becomes Sherwood through imagination alone.
Real-World Application: Invent games with household items instead of screen time.
Example Lesson: Facing fears builds confidence.
Explanation: Children stay calm and guide each other away from the wild boar.
Real-World Application: Practice deep breaths when something seems scary at school.
Example Lesson: Value and preserve traditions.
Explanation: Saint Lucia procession connects children to community history.
Real-World Application: Celebrate family holidays together, learning their meanings.