The Long Long Journey

The Long, Long Journey (Den långa, långa resan) is written by Swe-dish 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 dog, 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 shepherd 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, is 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 Wi-kland’s childhood in the Estonian coastal town of Haapsalu and her escape to Sweden in 1944.