Nicolaysen, Marit

Marit Nicolaysen, who started as a short-story writer, wrote her first novel in 1985. She has subsequently published a collection of short stories and two books for young adults. Her nine books for children featuring Svein and his pet rat Halvorsen have all enjoyed immense success.

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Praise for the Svein and His Rat-series:

" Svein and His Rat are already established as one of the cornerstones in Norwegian children’s literature... These are books enjoyed by big brothers, little brothers, parents and girls alike...Highly recommended!"   (Adresseavisen)  

"Our kids only have a few shelf metres of books, but only a few authors have been read to shreds. Those are Astrid Lindgren, Roald Dahl, Erlend Loe and Marit Nicolaysen. They are all story-tellers who combine imagination with the burlesque, the devilish and the surprising."
(Dagbladet)  

"... the stories actually get better and better with every book... while Nicolaysen writes better and better both about nine-year-olds and about rats...perfect books for eager readers who are nearing the devouring age: Identification, humour and a simple, chronological plot."
(Barnebokkritikk)  

"It seems so simple when Marit Nicolaysen does it. But within the apparently simple lies the development of a talent to weave together whims and their consequences to form a shapely and harmonious whole... She quite simply has a very good control with the art of writing."
(Dagbladet)

"The books about Svein and his hooded rat Mr. Smith are an immense success. What’s the secret? The answer must be that Marit Nicolaysen has found a recipe that evokes children’s interest and love of reading, She writes in a light and colloquial tone, and uses loads of humor in situations that young readers recognize." (Aftenposten)  

"Steadily, the Svein and His Rat-books have evolved into a concept within today’s children’s literature. With their humour and rough style and packed with speed and excitement, the books have been an unreserved success with their audience, and they have hit the mark with a group of readers aged between 6 and 12 years."
(From the jury’s grounds for awarding Marit Nicolaysen and her Svein and His Rat Go Rafting the Sonja Hagemann’s Prize for Best Children’s Book 2001)

The "Svein and rotta" books have been filmed by Maipo Film, Oslo.