One thing Trille knows for sure: that his great aunt makes the world’s
best waffles. He is sure, too, that Knert-Mathilde is a wonderful place in
which to live – and that his neighbour, Lena Lid, is his best friend. But he
is anything but sure that he is her best friend. And when Lena asks him
exactly why he wants a father, although he has one, Trille isn’t sure about
that, either.
In this book we follow the escapades of two resourceful nine-year-olds
through a whole tumultuous year. Trille and Lena know all too well how to
create a rumpus and keep things humming. Moreover, there’s a grandfather
living in the basement who is ever ready to join them in their pranks, so it’s
not surprising that things often get a little out of hand in the small bay where
they live. But in between all the frolicking and laughter Trille tells of the
sadder and more sombre aspects of his nine-year-old life, and of his fear of
losing those he loves. A charming and humorous novel.
Awards: The Dutch Zilveren Griffel and The French Prix de Sourciere.
Nominated to The Brage Prize (The Norwegian Publishers’ Association
Prize) 2005.
Translations rights sold to 32 countries/languages: Russia,
Sweden, France, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Faroe Islands, Denmark,
Serbia, Japan, Catalonia, China, Ukraine, Portugal, United Kingdom,
USA, Czech Republic, Iceland, South Korea, Sami language, Estonia, Bulgaria,
Italy, India (Hindi), Lithuania, Slovenia, Georgia, North Macedonia,
Latvia, Spain, Turkey and Azerbaijan.