By Mbl.is
Copyright mbl
The ministers of Iceland’s government have shared their favorite childhood books — the ones they loved most when they were in elementary school.
They participated as part of The Great Reading Contest, a nationwide initiative designed to encourage children in grades 1–7 to read more. The contest began last week and will run until October 15, with 90 schools across the country participating.
Contest to peak on Icelandic Language Day
The project was created and is led by children’s book authors Eva Rún Þorgeirsdóttir and Blær Guðmundsdóttir. It will culminate on November 16, Icelandic Language Day, when the winner will be announced on the RÚV television program Málæði.
According to a press release, the contest emphasizes reaching out to children and families, inspiring as many people as possible to pick up a book and read.
“Even if you’re not officially signed up for the contest, grab a book and let it take you on a journey — whether to a faraway land or just down to the beach!”
The announcement highlights the importance of reading habits in childhood, noting that they play a key role in developing language skills, vocabulary, and imagination, while also fostering concentration, empathy, and social understanding.
Sharing childhood favorites
The press release adds that there is no shortage of excellent children’s books in Icelandic, encouraging families to talk about their favorites to exchange ideas for fun reading material.
Here are the books that members of the Icelandic government cherished most as children:
Logi Einarsson, Minister of Culture, Innovation, and Higher Education – Jón Oddur og Jón Bjarni (1974) by Guðrún Helgadóttir.The book that had the biggest impact on him was The Brothers Lionheart, while Tintin in Tibet was the one he flipped through most often — and still does, mostly for the illustrations.
Kristrún Frostadóttir, Prime Minister – Blómin á þakinu (Flowers on the roof) (1985) by Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir.
Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir, Minister of Justice – Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter (1981) by Astrid Lindgren, translated by Helga Kress.
Daði Már Kristófersson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs – Geimstöðin, part of the Tom Swift series (1960) by Victor Appleton, translated by Skúli Jensson.
Guðmundur Ingi Kristinsson, Minister of Education and Children – Alli, Nalli og Tunglið (1929) by Vilborg Dagbjartsdóttir.
Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, Minister of Environment, Energy, and Climate – The Lord of the Rings (1954–1955) by J. R. R. Tolkien, translated by Þorsteinn Thorarensen.
Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs – The Brothers Lionheart (1973) by Astrid Lindgren, translated by Helga Kress, and The Famous Five series (1942–1963) by Enid Blyton, translated by Guðrún Kristín Magnúsdóttir.
Eyjólfur Ármannsson, Minister of Infrastructure – Palli var einn í heiminum (1942) by Jens Sigsgaard, translated by Þórarinn Eldjárn.
Inga Sæland, Minister of Social Affairs and Housing – Valsauga og Minnetonka (1947) by Ulf Uller, translated by Sigurður Gunnarsson.
Alma Möller, Minister of Health – Salomón svarti (1960) by Hjörtur Gíslason.
Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, Minister of Business and Industry – The Tintin books (1930–1976) by Hergé, translated by Loftur Guðmundsson and Þorsteinn Ó. Thorarensen.
These childhood favorites offer a glimpse into the stories that shaped the imagination of Iceland’s leaders — from Icelandic classics to beloved international tales.
