Top Ten Tuesday is the brainchild of The Broke & the Bookish. Every Tuesday, we compile a list of our literary Top 10, and then add it to the blog hop.

This week is all about our Top 10 Childhood Characters We’d Love To Meet Up With Again.

I spent my childhood in Germany, and read exclusively in German until I was around 11 years old. So below you’ll find the names with which these characters introduced themselves to me, and then the English translation if applicable. You’ll notice straight away, that my childhood was dominated by Swedish literary characters and the works of Astrid Lindgren. I could have filled all ten spots with Lindgren characters, but decided to limit myself.

 

1.) Pippilotta Viktualia Rollgardina Pfefferminz Efraimstochter Langstrumpf (Pippi Longstockings)

What is Pippi up to now? Is she still in Villa Kunterbunt? I’d love to see her now and see what growing up wild and free did for her. I’ve always loved Pippi for being so independent, adventurous and strong. I’d love to find out what happened to her meerkat Herr Nilsson, and her horse. Ha! You thought it was a horse and a monkey, right? Well, in that case, you’ll only know the TV show.

Pippi Longstockings by Astrid Lindgren

2.) Ronja Räubertochter (Ronia the Robber’s Daughter)

Ronja is one of the Astrid Lindgren characters I admire most because she stood up for what she believed in, did not see the sense in conflict and went against her parents wishes to follow her own path. I’d love to find out how Ronja and Birk managed a lawful life away from their robber past and parents.

Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter by Astrid Lindgren

3.) Mowgli

I’d love to find out whether Mowgli ever really found a place where he belonged. Did he stay in the jungle with his wolf brothers after he left the human village? Maybe he returned to a village once more and had a family.

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

4.) Bilbo Beutlin (Bilbo Baggins)

I’d love to meet Bilbo after the events of The Hobbit and raid his pantry. Around the time he adopts his little nephew Frodo. What’s he like as a father-figure to a young, curious, orphaned lad? I’d love to find out whether he told Frodo stories of his adventure, even if young Frodo just thought they were bedtime stories of lonely mountains and brave dwarves.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

5.) Harry Potter, Hermine Granger & Ronald Weasley

We know Harry and Ginny ended up together, as did Ron and Hermione (Hermine in German). We know they had kids. But I’d love to meet them all ten years after the Battle of Hogwarts, early in their careers and becoming parents for the first time. Where and how do they live? I bet The Burrow is still a hive of activity.

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

6.) Lasse, Inga, Bosse, Lisa, Britta, Kerstin, Olle- Kinder aus Bullerbü (The Bullerby Children)

Growing up on the three neighbouring homesteads at Bullerbü must have been very grounding for the seven children. I’d love to see them all as young adults celebrating midsummer together with sleepovers in the barn. Did they all stay in Bullerbü? Did they consider moving away and why? Did any of the friends end up together?

The Bullerby Children by Astrid Lindgren

7.) Huckleberry Finn

I’d love to catch up with Huck between the books of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer Abroad. What made Huck return to St Petersburg even though he wanted to flee to Indian territory? And how did he feel about his father’s death, despite having grown up a physically abused vagabond?

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

8.) Pünktchen & Anton (Anna Louise & Anton)

Pünktchen and Anton were always thick as thieves despite being from different social classes. I wonder whether their friendship survived until they were adults, and whether or not it eventually turned into something more. What careers did they eventually choose?

Pünktchen und Anton by Erich Kästner

9.) George, Julius, Dick, Anne & Timotheus – Fünf Freunde (George, Julian, Dick, Anne & Timmy – Famous Five)

I’d love to catch up with the Kirrin kids and their dog. What other adventures have they got into? I’d also love to see them grown up rather than have them stay eternally pre-pubescent like they are throughout the series. Sometimes I wonder whether an 18-year-old George would still be a tomboy.

Famous Five by Enid Blyton

10.) Samweis Gamdschie (Samwise Gamgee)

Sam is my favourite character from The Lord of the Rings. We know he became mayor, married Rosie and had children, but I’d love to meet him as a young father teaching his children about flowers and gardens and Old Gaffer’s stories. How he’d tell the story of Frodo and the ring and all the people and friends he met along the way. I picture him a kind and understanding dad, who teaches his kids that friendship and loyalty are what’s really important.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien