Louis Jensen: Denmark Author

Louis Jensen was born in Nibe by Limfjorden in the northern part of Jutland in 1943. He wrote experimental poetry in his younger years and later became an architect specializing in city planning. Jensen made his debut in writing for children in 1983 with a short story called "The Insect Man" and in 1986 The Crystal Man was his first book for children. Several volumes about The Crystal Man were published in the years 1986-1989, with one book per year.

The Skeleton on Wheels is the most famous and perhaps one of the most important books in Louis Jensen's career. Published in 1992, it was first performed as a play and is presently used as a text in schools; it is considered to be a new Danish classic. The story concerns Martin's search for the soul of his murdered dog. It is about faith, hope, and love and has inspired varied responses including debate concerning what is appropriate for children to read.

Jensen explores themes of good and evil; for example, he asks if there can be life without evil (Karl Kluge's Double Treasure Hunt and Karl Kluge and the Evil) and if love can be the way out of "the bubble" (The Enchanted City). In all of his books reality is addressed through fantasy. His later stories revolve around how one can relate to evil correctly and concretely. Scholarly reviews speak to the high quality and consistency in his books, with the theme often being that it is never too late to become good.

Louis Jensen has published children's books, young adult novels, and hundreds of short stories that have been translated into several languages. In the Hans Christian Andersen "Celebration Year 2005," Jensen published Tin Heart and Ducking Feathers, a personal narrative of the poet's outer and inner life. Politiken (2004) stated, "There is a deep understanding and connection between Jensen and Andersen. They write fairy tales which you can spend a lifetime understanding. Fairy tales which have been brought by the images of dreams."

Louis Jensen has received numerous awards including The Odd Fellow Literary Award, the Culture Prince's Award, and the Denmark School Librarians Association Children's Books Award. Weekendavisen (2004) commented, "Louis Jensen is a fairy tale writer with his heart in the right place and talent sparkling from his pen."