My childhood home had an Emil picture book that I used to read over and over again. This summer I had an overwhelming wave of nostalgia and picked up a bunch of Emil books from the library in the hopes that I could return to that same place of happiness. That didn't happen. I guess some childhood favorites are meant to stay in that particular time.

However, even though my heart belongs to other Lindgren books, Emil's adventures are still fun to read. Sure, Emil does a lot of mischief and drives his father nuts, but in one book he also saves his best friend, farmhand Alfred, and in a touching scene holds his hand and stays with him while the doctor treats his sepsis.

The illustrations are charming as well, but the idyllic Swedish countryside really comes to life the best in the color illustrations.