Thumbkin Stories

By Inger and Lasse Sandberg

Thumbkin is a classic Swedish character that explores the world through childlike interest and wonder. The character was created in 1978 from the thumbprint of Lasse Sandberg, inspiring the creators to illustrate and write books dedicated to the adventures of the little Thumbkin.  This little collection includes the lovely story that portrays the beginning friendship of Thumbkin and Dollie. It consists of three Thumbkin stories overall: Thumbkin’s Ball Runs Away (Tummens boll kommer bort) Thumbkin Meets Dollie (Dockis kommer till Tummen) Thumbkin and Dollie Find a Big Magnet (Tummen och Dockis hittar en spikfångare) These adorable stories depict the classic little Thumbkin character in its delightful eagerness as it goes out and plays, and gets to meet its best friend Dollie. Dollie is a doll sewn by Thumbkin’s mum, and only talks when it is alone with Thumbkin.  Thumbkin celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2023.

Publishing information

About the author

Swedish cartoonist and illustrator Lasse Sandberg and teacher and author Inger Sandberg met in the 1950s and started their successful collaboration as a creative team and married couple. Outside the Nordics they are probably best known for their books about Little Anna and Little Ghost Laban. Together Inger and Lasse wrote and illustrated over 100 books and have been nominated and awarded several prestigious prizes, including the Astrid Lindgren prize and Elsa Beskow plaque.