Adventures in Scandinavia Read, Paint, Cook Unit Study in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Week 1: SWEDEN
Read:
D is for Dalahorse: A Nordic Countries Alphabet by Kathy-jo Wargin
Lily Huckleberry in Scandinavia by Audrey Smit and Jackie Knapp
Lapland Friends An Adventures in Sweden by Disney's Small World Library
The Gate Swings in by Nora Burglon
Counting Sweden by Linda Liebrand
My First Book About Sweden by Linda Liebrand
The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren
Hilma af Klint: Painting for the Future by Tracey Bashkoff
The Little Book of Fika: The Uplifting Daily Ritual of the Swedish Coffee by Lynda Balslev
Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark by Chronicle Books
Books about Daisies and Mid-Summer:
Midsummer in Sweden: Sweden for Beginners by Scandi Books
My First Book About Sweden- A children's picture guide to Swedish culture, traditions and fun by Linda Liebrand
Plenty of Petals: Counting by Tens by Michael Dahl
A Daisy is a Daisy is a Daisy (except when It's a Girl's Name) by Linda Wolfsgruber
ABC Flowers : Alphabet Book for babies by Victoria Phuong
An ABC of Flowers by Jutta Hilpuesch
Fletcher and the Spring time Blossoms by Julia Rawlinson
Learn more about Stockholm, Sweden:
Learn more about the History of Scandinavia from Ice Age to the Viking Age:
Paint: Hilma af Klint
Artist Spotlight & Art Appreciation of the Ten Largest by Hilma af Klint (1862-1944)
She was born: October 26, 1862 in Stockholm, Sweden and she died 1944, in Sweden.
Watch this video about Hilma af Klint and her paintings of the future, that she kept hidden from the world, until a later generation.
Art Project: Inspired Art from Hilma af Klint
Let’s be inspired by this amazing female artist, who was ahead of her time. Might you be ahead of your time? What does it mean to be ahead of your time? Hilma’s work was inspired by spiritual guides, and she held all her paintings back to be revealed to the world 20 years after her death. Many people in our generation feel blessed to live in a time where we are able to view them, and allow their messages of life to inspire us.
Supplies needed:
(Keep in mind that you are the artist, and may desire to use a different medium of art. Encourage your child to choose the supplies they prefer, if they are ready for that.)
Pastels; oil or chalk
Pastel Paper
Method:
Simply, allow your mind to be inspired by Hilma’s art. Choose a piece that speaks to you the most. If desired, at first, try to mimic it. If not, use the ideas of telling a message, or belief you have in your art.
Further Extensions:
Just as Hilma hid her art from the world and critiques, you to can do the same. Hide your art away in a safe place, such as a portfolio, or folder. Perhaps it could be hidden for a month’s time or maybe longer.
Make a note, or mark it on your calendar to remind yourself to take them out and admire them. At that time, you could play ‘art gallery showing’ and host a tea party painting reveal, and present the art work back to your child, and document their thoughts about it.
If they desire to create more art inspired by their’s and Hilma’s, allow that to continue, and perhaps, hide that away again, and repeat, if your child is interested in this method. If so, after a few times you can place more and more art work into a series of hidden art.
Surprise Art Appreciation: Anonymouse
Anonymouse is an anonymous Swedish artists collective, notable for street installations in Sweden. They build mouse-themed miniatures and display them in public. The first work was the restaurant Il Topolino that appeared on Bergsgatan in Malmö. They were mentioned in one of the books included in this week’s book list, “Lily Huckleyberry in Scandinavia” by Audrey Smit and Jackie Knapp. This miniature art form is so fun, and children really enjoy coming upon them around the cities they are set up in.
Inspired Art Project: Create your own Miniatures
If your child has an interest in this unique art style, encourage them to think about what they might create that is very small. You may like to create it using things around the house, and/or purchasing some miniature furniture to paint, and create into a small scene. Have them pick something that means something to them, or has something to do with what they are leaning about with the Build Your Masterpiece Class. Here this art collective recreated an Italian Cafe, only for mice. Determine what your miniature is built for, and design it for them. Once complete, set it up as an instalment somewhere in your home, yard or neighbourhood for your families, and friends to see. This time of art is a joy for many, especially those who have a playful, and childlike spirit.
Learn more about the history and magic of the Mid-Summer Festival in Sweden:
Enjoy learning about the Mid-Summer Festival with out Counting Printables (Daisies) as well as the M is for May Pole, D is for Daisy Coloring Pages. We have also included two art projects for you, one is the paper crown craft, the other is a photo of the sunset in Sweden at Mid-Summer, with Daisies. This is provided for any painting projects you and your kids are inspired to do. Enjoy this anytime of year, or wait until Mid-summer to dive in!
Cook: Hallongrotta
Hallongrotta, the Swedish cookie that means ‘raspberry cave’ has been made since the 1800’s and known in North America as Thumbprint Cookies. They are a simple shortbread dough, traditionally made with raspberry jam and are great for beginners. This is a lovely recipes to enjoy while you FIKA with your friends and family.
FIKA is Swedish for ‘a coffee and cake break’. It includes warm drinks, sweets and desserts and of course, friends!
Let’s make some today!
Also, read the books:
“Who Put the Cookie in the Cookie Jar?” by George Shannon
“The Little Book of Fika: The Uplifting Daily Ritual of the Swedish Coffee” by Lynda Balslev
Find our Recipe included in week 1 lesson plan.
Watch this video with your kids to learn and see the method for making Hallongrotta Swedish Thumbprint Cookies.
Yay! You have completed Week 1 of our Adventures in Scandinavia all about SWEDEN.
Prepare for Week 2, releasing next week!
Tag us with your Swedish Masterpieces on Instagram, or share in our Private Facebook Group. I can’t wait to see them!