In 1945, the Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren invented Pippi Longstocking - and broke the mould of children's literature. Lindgren, who has died aged 94, conjured up a heroine who was morally and physically strong, lived without the encumbrance of parents in a Swedish village, and enjoyed a degree of freedom envied and shared by Tommy and Annika next door, and by children who read about her throughout the world.

Children's literature translated from other languages is rare in Britain, and only a handful of characters who were born abroad have been loved by generations of children here. Striding out triumphantly, Pippi belongs to these sparse ranks.