Originally written in Swedish in the 1920s and later published in English in the United States in the 1950s, Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka by Maj Lindman is a charming series of picture books that continue to capture the hearts of readers with its wholesome storytelling and nostalgic appeal. This delightful series follows three blonde-haired triplet sisters as they navigate childhood adventures filled with responsibility, small mishaps, and valuable life lessons.
Each story in the series emphasizes responsibility, cooperation, curiosity, and perseverance, making it a wonderful choice for parents looking for living books that encourage young children to learn how to do things for themselves. Despite the occasional accident or challenge, the stories always conclude on a happy note, reinforcing the idea that doing one’s best and helping others lead to good outcomes. Young readers will recognize the kind of innocent misunderstandings that a young Amelia Bedelia might experience, though the tone of these books is not meant to be humorous.
The illustrations are soft, sweet, and slightly cartoonish, perfectly complementing the warmth of the stories. They not only depict the innocence of childhood but also offer a glimpse into an old-fashioned way of life, adding to the book’s nostalgic charm. Readers who love Astrid Lindgren’s Children of Noisy Village books will find a similar appeal in this series—gentle, everyday adventures in a Scandinavian setting, written in a style accessible to early elementary readers.
One particularly lovely installment, Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka Bake a Cake, tells the story of the girls wishing to make a birthday present for their mother. They enlist the help of a family friend, Aunt Betty, an older woman who cared for their mother when she was little. Aunt Betty teaches them how to bake a cake and then leaves them to it, warning them not to get distracted while it bakes. Predictably, the girls get caught up in their own play, and the cake burns. With Aunt Betty’s help, they try again—this time with success because they mind their task. The story gently reinforces the importance of attentiveness and perseverance.
In Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka and the Three Kittens, the girls visit their aunt and uncle, who are preparing to leave the village for a few days and are worried about who will take care of their cat. The girls eagerly volunteer to check in on the cat each day, play with her, and feed her. Their aunt gives them a little money to buy fish and milk for the cat, and they carefully complete their errand. However, the next day, they run into a little trouble. And the day after that, the cat disappears entirely! In the end, all is well—they discover that the cat has sneaked off to have three tiny kittens. This story beautifully showcases the girls’ growing sense of responsibility and their love for animals.
It is truly wonderful to see some of these books back in print in a lovely hardcover edition. They remain a timeless treasure for families who appreciate classic children’s literature filled with heartwarming life lessons.