Betterby enjoys living in his little house. The forest is buzzing with life and the adventures are endless. The forest-dwellers are an extremely varied group; many are kind and playful, but some are mischevious and even evil.

Betterby’s world is the incomparable creation of Thorvaldur Thorsteinsson which first came out in four books from 1998 to 2004 and was very well recieved. This volume contains all the stories about Betterby with new illustrations by Linda Olafsdottir.

In each of the books, Betterby undertakes hazardous journeys that test his courage, ingenuity and friendship.

• Reykjavik Children’s Literature Prize 1998 for the Children’s Book of the Year 1998 (My name is Betterby)
• The Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize 2000 for the Best Children’s Book of the Year (Are you Betterby?)
• Nominated for The Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize 2002 (for the Betterby books)
• The Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize 2002 for the Best Children’s Book of the Year (Betterby – the Journey to Targia)

REVIEWS

“This little book … has what it takes to warm the hearts of young and old … a flawless work of art.”
Sigi Zeus, Suddeutsche Zeitung

“A magical and philosophical masterpiece about the values of friendship, written in an unpretentious style that everyone can understand. ”
ciao.com

“… Thorvaldur’s stories about Betterby are categorised as children’s books that are also suitable for adults, and the first book actually describes the dangers and the sorrow that occur when the imagination of the child is lost. … The world of Betterby is the fairytale-world of childhood, whence children disappear when they grow up … Themes like these are known from other children’s books that also appeal to older readers. Astrid Lindgren’s books about The Brothers Lionheart and Dear Mio are similarly books that grapple with the reality of the child in a much more mature way than many adults dare to do. Michael Ende’s Neverending Story is also worth mentioning here, as it also demands the participation of the reader. … Thorvaldur’s books about Betterby are unique in the Icelandic literary landscape, both as children’s books and fiction for adults. His reworking of the fairy-tale worlds of children’s literature, folktales and fantasies are simultaneously unusual and challenging, and turn out singularly well together with the play with languages characterising Thorvaldur Thorsteinsson’s work.”
Ulfhildur Dagsdottir, Bokmenntir.is

“The story of Betterby is one of the most remarkable children’s books to come out in Icelandic for many years and I wouldn’t be surprised if it became a classic of Icelandic children’s literature.”
Morgunbladid

“This book is a gem that no true bookworm should miss out on.”
DV daily

“It will surely be difficult to say goodbye to Betterby, but thankfully a good book can always be read again and again. ”
Morgunbladid