Olof Landström, born in 1943 in Turku, Finland, is a highly influential Finnish-Swedish illustrator, animator, and children’s book author. He was educated at Konstfack in Stockholm.
Over the course of more than five decades, he has built a body of work that continues to captivate both readers and viewers.
With beloved characters such as the thoughtful Kalle from Charlie’s Climbing Tree (Kalles klätterträd) and the more recent Boo and Baa (Bø & Bæ) and Pom and Pim — created in collaboration with his wife and creative partner, Lena Landström — he has brought to life a world rich in emotional nuance through his distinctive visual language. Landström’s work is marked by quiet reflection and gentle humor that resonate with both children and adults. His illustrative style — simple, warm, and expressive — is instantly recognizable, marked by clarity of line and always with a subtle touch of humanity. He captures the inner lives of children with authenticity and restraint.
In the early 1970s, Landström, Peter Cohen, and Georg "Jojje" Wadenius founded the animation studio POJ-filmproduktion. The studio played a pivotal role in the development of Swedish animated children's television during the 1970s and 1980s, producing several well-known animated series and short films. Along with his creative partner Peter Cohen, Landström was responsible for several iconic animated series, including Kalles klätterträd (Charlie’s Climbing Tree), Farbrorn som inte vill va’ stor (The Uncle Who Didn't Want to Grow Up), and Magister Flykt (Teacher Flykt), to mention a few. These series, noted for their warm, slow-paced animation and subtle humor, were groundbreaking in their ability to engage children with meaningful, thought-provoking content.
Landström’s legacy is deeply rooted in the world of animation, and as an illustrator, animator, storyteller, and director, he has demonstrated a deep respect for children’s intelligence and imagination. Rather than relying on spectacle or rapid pacing, his work invites contemplation, nurtures curiosity, and honors the emotional complexity of childhood. He has let the everyday shine and has created space for wonder, slowness, and dreams – qualities that are rare and all the more precious.
Many of these works include musical scores by their co-founder, the legendary musician Jojje Wadenius, and narrations by respected Swedish actors such as Gösta Ekman and Toivo Pawlo, adding to their timeless quality. (In the Norwegian translation Odd Børretsen did a wonderful narration.)
In addition to his work in animation together with POJ-filmproduktion and his collaboration with his wife Lena, Olof Landström has collaborated with other celebrated Swedish authors such as Beppe Wolgers, Barbro Lindgren, Ulf Stark, and Lotta Olsson, translating their written works into vivid, imaginative illustrations and short animations. His collaborations extend beyond book illustration, creating a bridge between literature and animation.
He has received numerous awards for his work, including the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Prize.
Olof Landström is acknowledged not only as an accomplished illustrator and author but as a pioneering force in animation — a visual artist whose work helped elevate the medium to new artistic and narrative heights. With deep appreciation for his lasting impact, the board of the Fredrikstad Animation Festival proudly acknowledges Olof Landström as one of the great pioneers and enduring creative voices in Nordic animation.
An artist who, with quiet strength, has created lasting images in our shared memory.
During the festival, a screening of Kalles klätterträd (Charlie’s Climbing Tree) will take place Saturday, followed by a presentation of the TV series in a conversation with producer Peter Cohen.