The Brothers Lionheart
By Astrid Lindgren and Ilon Wikland
The Brothers Lionheart (Bröderna Lejonhjärta) is a tale of love strong enough to conquer death – not just once, but twice. After brothers Jonathan and Crusty pass away, they meet again in Nangijala, the land of eternal spring. Casting a long shadow over their world is the evil tyrant Tengil, ruler of the country Karmanjaka, where he’s building his new fortress up in the Ancient Mountains.
Jonathan and Crusty’s narrative is a timeless and deeply touching story of love. It’s a tale about the battle between good and evil, between fear and courage, about a struggle for freedom—and about death.
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The Brothers Lionheart News
Written by Astrid Lindgren
in 1973
Illustrated by Ilon Wikland
Feature film
and several theatre productions have been made
+50 Languages
Translated to more than 50 languages
About Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) is Sweden’s most beloved and well-known author, and her works bring joy to children and adults worldwide. Her contributions are unique and significant and cannot be overstated. She was a committed humanist, and fought for children’s rights, equality, and animal welfare – but it’s as a writer of children’s books that she is most known.
Astrid wrote 34 chapter books and 41 picture books in total that all together have sold around 200 million copies and have been translated into more than 100 languages.
About Ilon Wikland
Ilon Wikland is one of Sweden’s most popular illustrators of children’s books. Strangely enough, Wikland is rather unknown to the general public, despite the fact that she illustrated the beloved figures in the majority of Astrid Lindgren’s most-read books. Ilon Wikland is a versatile artist whose pictures span a wide range, from the safe idyll on Troublemaker Street to the breathtaking black depths at the Karma Falls in The Brothers Lionheart.
Wikland came as a refugee to Sweden from Estonia during the Second World War and was later trained at the art school Konstfack in Stockholm. In addition to Astrid Lindgren’s books, she has also illustrated many other authors’ works, including Edith Unnerstad’s children’s books, as well as written and illustrated her own children’s books.
Ilon Wikland has been awarded awards, prizes and other honors for her artistry and collective output. But the road to success was long and sometimes very dramatic.
From The Brothers Lionheart“Jonathan told me how there are things you have to do, even if they are dangerous. “Why is that?” I asked. “Because if you don’t you are not a human being, you’re nothing but a little louse,” Jonathan replied.”
Astrid Lindgren’s World
Astrid Lindgren’s World is a theme park located in Vimmerby, Sweden, attracting over 500,000 visitors each year. It is a place where the beloved characters created by Astrid Lindgren and brought to life by Ilon Wikland come to life. This park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sweden. Additionally, the Astrid Lindgren Store offers a wide variety of products featuring The Brothers Lionheart and other iconic characters.
