Karius and Bactus
Author | Thorbjørn Egner |
---|---|
Original title | Karius og Baktus |
Translators | Mike Sevig and Turi Olderheim |
Illustrator | Thorbjørn Egner |
Country | Norway |
Language | Norwegian |
Genre | Children's literature, fantasy |
Published | 1949 |
Publisher | Gyldendal, Cappelen |
Karius and Bactus (
children's novel written and illustrated by playwright Thorbjørn Egner. The book was first published in 1949 and produced as a 15-minute puppet animation film by film director Ivo Caprino in 1955. An English translation by Mike Sevig and Turi Olderheim was published in the United States in 1986.[1][2][3]
The main characters are Karius (black haired) and Bactus (red haired). Their names are puns on
tooth trolls" that live inside cavities in the teeth of a boy named Jens. They have a very good life, especially when Jens eats white bread with syrup and fails to brush his teeth afterwards. Eventually their homes are destroyed by the work of a dentist and they are rinsed out of Jens' mouth through proper dental care.[4][5]
The story of Karius and Bactus, with its humorous illustrations and important message, has become a classic of Norwegian children's literature. Since its publication, the idea of "tooth trolls" has been used as a pedagogical device for generations of Scandinavian children.[6]
References
- ^ Kristin Storrusten (21 October 2009). "Breaking Baktus-News". Breaking Baktus-News. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ "Thorbjørn Egner". Norsk kunstnerleksikon. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ "Ivo Caprino". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ "Karius og Baktus". riksteatret.no. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ "Karius og Baktus". musikhusetaarhus.dk. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ "'Karius and Bactus' – Two Trolls That Revolutionized Dental Health". thornews.com. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
Other sources
- Thorbjørn Egner (1971), Karius og Baktus (Oslo: Cappelen) ISBN 978-8202031671
External links
- Karius og Baktus home.online.no
- Karius and Bactus bokmerker.org