When Mischief Came to Town

I’ll be honest. I picked up this short, little book because of the Scandinavian art on the cover. I love Scandinavian folk art, and thought this book could be enjoyable because of it.

I was not wrong.

When Mischief Came to Town by Katrina Nannestad should be a classic. I loved this sweet story of Inge Maria and her adventures on the island of Bornholm in Denmark.

In the first chapter, we meet Inge Maria on the boat to the island. A goat shares the boat, and against her better judgement, Inge Maria takes a nap against it. When she arrives at the island to meet her grandmother, she discovers that the goat has eaten one of her braids. Not a good way to start life on the small island!

Each chapter brings another similar quandary. Inge Maria can’t help but get into trouble. And she can’t help feeling her grandmother is very angry with her.

By the end of the book, Inge Maria realizes her grandmother loves her very much. And her brand of trouble, or mischief, is just what Bornholm needed.

Highly recommended for ages 4 (as a read-aloud) and up.