Ollie's Ski Trip
Ollie’s Ski Trip
Six-year-old Ollie is given his first pair of real skis. As soon as the snow begins to fall, he sets off on an adventure by himself to the palace of King Winter.
Along the way, he meets Jack Frost, who makes everything sparkle, and Mrs. Thaw, who makes everything melt. At the palace, Ollie meets children helping to make Christmas presents—that is, until break time, when they rush outside for a big snowball fight.
Finally, Mrs. Thaw gets her way, and the lovely snow starts to disappear. Ollie is very upset and wishes it could be winter forever—until Spring arrives one lovely day when in her carriage, pulled by butterflies.
About the Author
Elsa Beskow (1874–1953) was born in Stockholm. Her parents were entrepreneur Bernt Maartman (1841–1889), whose family came from Bergen, Norway, and Augusta Fahlstedt (1850–1915). Beskow studied Art Education at Konstfack, University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, then called Tekniska skolan, or the Technical school, in Stockholm. In 1897, she married former minister and social worker and doctor of theology Natanael Beskow, whom she met while serving as a teacher at Djursholms samskola, where he served as headmaster. They had six sons. Beskow became one of the best known of all Swedish children’s book artists. She also illustrated “ABC” books and songbooks for Swedish schools. Her book pages are often framed in a decorative Art Nouveau style. Beskow received international recognition for her simple, cheerful stories and outstanding illustrations.
