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‘We need the literature of other countries to expand our
horizons and stimulate our ideas. Without it, we are not only
diminished, we are starved’
(The Times, Magnus Linklater 29/06/05)

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Title: Waffle Hearts

Author: Maria Parr

Translator: Guy Puzey

Illustrator: Kate Forrester

Publisher: Walker Books

Date Published: 2013

Format: Hardback

Genre:

Book Category: Fiction

Age Range: 9-11

Original Title: First published in Norwegian as Vaffelhjarte, Det Norske Samlaget, Norway, 2005

Country of Origin: Norway

Waffle Hearts

by Maria Parr
Age Range: 9-11

Nine-year-old Trille and his best friend Lena Lid live next door to each other in Mathildewick Cove, a small coastal community in the Norwegian Fjords. Lena is fearless and daring and lives with her mum while Trille lives with his parents, three siblings and Grandpa.

Trille and Lena are always getting into scrapes and there are numerous amusing incidents such as when the children make a witch for the midsummer bonfire; Lena decides that a doll belonging to her mum is just the right thing to use and what transpires is hilarious as the adults attempt to save the situation. Another memorable escapade is when Lena and Trille create Noah’s ‘Shark’ with a whole host of local animals in Uncle Tor’s fishing boat known as a ‘shark', after they learn about Noah’s Ark at Sunday School. They also try busking in town to earn a little extra money playing Silent Night on their recorders over and over again even though it is the middle of summer. Lena is fearless too, even constructing a cableway ten metres above the ground to link their two houses and then trying it out herself!

Fans of Pippi Longstocking will love Waffle Hearts by Norwegian author, Maria Parr. She has created a very special book; one that combines humour and the carefree innocence and antics of childhood that are full of fun and laughter. There is the children’s delight in the delicious waffles that Auntie Granny makes which they believe are the best in the world; the funny dialogue, such as when Trille describes Lena ‘as an unripe stalk of rhubarb’ or Lena’s regular expression of ‘Smoking Haddocks’ when she is exasperated, that really endear this book to the reader. As well as the humour there is pathos too, particularly when Auntie Granny dies. Trille’s deep sadness can be felt as he tries to understand and come to terms with her death. Parr approaches this loss with great compassion and understanding.

A truly enchanting book that is sure to become a firm favourite with children.

The American edition of this title called Adventures of Waffles was published in 2018 by Candlewick Press. Friendship is an important thing to have in life. More specifically, being able to say that you have a best friend is undeniably one of the most special parts of life. In Adventures With Waffles , Trille’s best friend Lena luckily lives in the house right next to him! However, throughout the book, Trille worries that Lena does not consider him her best friend like he considers Lena his best friend.

As Trille’s best friend, Lena has this excitable and eccentric personality that translates every part of life into an adventure. Adventures With Waffles, originally written by Norwegian author Maria Parr and translated into English by Guy Puzey, is a 20-chapter-long story all about Trille and Lena’s exciting (and sometimes dangerous) adventures in their small coastal town of Mathildewick Cove. Many of their adventures center around their interactions with the whole cast of characters in the story. At the heart of these fun times is their love of the waffles made by Trille’s Auntie Granny. After all, the original title in Norwegian translates to Waffle Hearts.

Adventures With Waffles is a delightful read for students between the ages of nine and eleven—from reading about moments including Lena’s hilarious search for a new father to simply reading silly phrases such as “you stupid smoked haddock” and “oh fish sticks.” Perhaps readers can enjoy this book alongside their best friend! Catherine Hurwitz (July22)