I like the 1984 version the little better than the new one ( )

I like the 1984 version the little better than the new one ( )

Adorable as always, though not quite my favorite. Longish story, with illustrations that have lots of details, on the same motif as the song that goes There's a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza...".

Bear in mind that these stories have been translated into several languages, sometimes apparently more than once. In some stories they are known as "Festus and Mercury."" ( )

Started to read this morning to my friend's son, but he already knew it by heart, so finished it for myself :) ( )

The Birthday Cake - 1999 Michael Rollerson translation of Pannkakstårtan.

The first of Swedish author Sven Nordqvist's many picture-books devoted to the madcap adventures of Pettson the farmer, and his feline companion, Findus, The Birthday Cake is an entertaining tale of two friends and the extraordinary lengths to which they will go, in order to make that all-important birthday cake for Findus! (Well, I suppose it's not that extraordinary - I've been known to go pretty far out of my way for cake myself, from time to time). In an amusing series of back-and-forth exchanges, Pettson, who the neighbors think is more than a little crazy, and Findus, who has three birthdays per year, "just because it was more fun that way," wrangle with the question of how to bake a cake, when: the flour has gone missing, the bicycle needed to fetch more flour has a punctured tire, the shed containing the necessary tools to repair the bike is locked, the key to the shed is at the bottom of the well, the fishing rod needed to fish out the key is in the (locked) shed, and the ladder that would enable Pettson to climb onto the shed, and through the skylight, is with a neighbor's cantankerous bull in a nearby field. Needless to say, it takes a lot of ingenuity (and a few grouchy exchanges along the way) to put all to rights...

With its delightfully detailed illustrations, and zany sense of humor - matter-of-factly ridiculous, and slyly subversive - The Birthday Cake is an incredibly entertaining romp! I enjoyed many of the pointed little details in the narrative, from the idea that Pettson was considered crazy, partly because he "wasn't like other people," to the fact that, despite being old and rather absent-minded, he understands his cat so well. I had to chuckle at the scene in which Findus is convinced to confront the bull in his field, the other option being going without cake! This wonderful tale, published originally in Swedish as Pannkakstårtan, has been translated into English at least three times (that I know of): in an American version (Pancake Pie) released shortly after the original; in a recent British version (Pancakes for Findus) printed in 2007; and in this edition, translated by Michael Rollerson, and put out by the same Swedish publisher (Opal) as the original. Having not seen the British edition, I cannot speak to its quality, but I strongly prefer this edition, The Birthday Cake, to Pancake Pie, which I read at the same time, and which, sad to say, is somewhat abridged (see that review for more details). My recommendation, therefore - and it is a strong one! - applies to this edition, which I heartily enjoyed, and which I wish were more readily available! ( )