Waffle Hearts

Story

Waffle Hearts is the story of the friendship between the sparky Lena Lid, and her more timid neighbour Trille, who’s often caught up in her escapades. Together, the two friends have many adventures, including re-enacting Noah’s Ark and trying to advertise for a new, improved dad for Lena.

Why we chose it

A story of friendship and adventure.

Where it came from

First published in Norway in 2005, Waffle Hearts was translated into English by Guy Puzey in 2013. The story was a hit with younger middle-grade readers, with Lena pitched as “Norway’s answer to Pippi Longstocking”. Readers loved the story of an adventurous girl and her more reserved male best friend, and Waffle Hearts received glowing reviews from an international audience.

Where it went next

Parr has won several awards for her children’s writing, including the Brage Prize, the Critics’ Award, the Zilvern Griffel and the Prix Sorcieres. Waffle Hearts was also shortlisted for the Italian literary award Premio Strega ragazze e ragazzi, a prestigious children’s literature award.

Associated stories

Parr is also the author of Tanje Glimmerdal, another children’s novel which was published in 2009. Although it has not yet been translated into English, Tanje Glimmerdal was very well-received, winning several awards. In 2010, Parr won the Nynorsk User of the Year Award, a prize issued for creative and engaging use of this specific form of the Norwegian language.