The Long Long Journey
The Long, Long Journey is written by Swedish children’s author Rose Lagercrantz and illustrated by renowned Estonian-born Swedish artist and illustrator Ilon Wikland.
A story about a courageous little girl’s happy childhood days, her loyal companian, a ruthless war and the joy of coming to a country where there is peace.
Once upon a time, a girl had a dog, a Finnish Lapland dog, the kind that guards reindeer and sleeps in the snow, but now guarded her. One day, when war broke out, she was sent to her grandmother’s house in the countryside, but when she arrived there was no one at the station to meet her. Luckily her dog, a loyal companion, stood by her side.
Joyful childhood days are overshadowed by an approaching war. The little girl sets off on the long, long journey away from everything familiar and arrives as a refugee in a new country. Will she find happiness again?
The Long, Long Journey is a sad yet ultimately hopeful story. A highly topical story about an escape for a happier future illustrated with Ilon Wikland’s classic drawings.
The story is based on the real life experiences of renowned illustrator Ilon Wikland, recounting the story of Wikland’s childhood in the Estonian coastal town of Haapsalu and her escape to Sweden in 1944.
The book has been republished by Lilla Piratförlaget in 2025.
Publishing information
Reviews
“Rarely has a new edition of a much-loved book felt so important. Ilon Wikland fled in a small, rickety boat across the Baltic Sea from her native Estonia, which had been invaded by Soviet soldiers. That was 80 years ago, but the same thing is happening in Europe right now. A deeply moving portrayal of a child’s vulnerability. It is impossible to defend yourself.”