"Blackflower, moonlight, snakeberry plant..."
These are the words Loella hisses at people in a bad mood.
"Whiteflower, sunshine, squirrelberry plant", when she's in a good mood.
Loella is a fascinating creation by Swedish children's writer Maria Gripe in "Pappa Pellerin's Daughter (1965). She lives in a small cottage in the forest where she cares for her two small twin brothers. Both her mother and father are gone and she prefers not having company...with a few exceptions. She is nicknamed "Loopy Loella" by townfolk and built a scarecrow named "Pappa Pellerin" which she dresses in her long gone father's clothes to keep people away. However child welfare services take the children away and Loella learns to live in the town orphanage...where she never stops dreaming for the return of her father. I don't want to say much more about the book. There is so much for you to explore. The plot has a perfect story arc and emotional resonance. There is darkness but also light in the beautifully written book. Despite Loella's many travails, she never gives up hope. It's out-of-print, but probably available at the library through inter-library loan or find an inexpensive copy online. In an odd sort of way, it seems like the perfect Father's Day book.
I picked up this book years ago at a high school book sale where they were getting rid of old books. I'm 24 now and I still have it on my shelf. Despite only reading it once I still remember this book and love it as much as you seem to. :)
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