Babbis Ellinor Friis-Baastad
Babbis Ellinor Friis-Baastad was a Norwegian author born on August 27, 1921, in Bergen, Norway. Initially pursuing education at Oslo University, her studies were interrupted due to World War II, during which she became a refugee in Sweden. In 1942, she married Kaare Friis-Baastad, with whom she had four children. After graduating from university in 1948, she transitioned into a life focused on her family and began her writing career, publishing her first novel, "Aresord," in 1959. Under various pen names, including Eleanor Babbis, she wrote a total of seven novels, often exploring themes related to disabled children and their experiences. Notably, her works, such as "Kristy's Courage," highlight the challenges faced by children with disabilities, aiming to foster understanding among readers. Friis-Baastad also contributed to radio and television with award-winning scripts. She passed away on January 11, 1970, leaving a legacy of empathetic storytelling that resonated across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
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Babbis Ellinor Friis-Baastad
- Born: August 27, 1921
- Birthplace: Bergen, Norway
- Died: January 11, 1970
Biography
Babbis Ellinor Friis-Baastad was born on August 27, 1921, in Bergen, Norway. Her parents were Carl H. and Edel J. Moenness Blauenfeldt. She attended local schools, and in 1941 she went on to Oslo University. She had to leave school because of World War II, and she became a refugee in Sweden for a time. In 1942 she married Kaare Friis-Baastad, an airline operations manager, and the couple had four children: Anne, Winnie, Beth, and Wilhelm. She settled into a life as a homemaker and mother and graduated from Oslo University in 1948. As the children grew older, Friis-Baastad told them stories, and then started writing, publishing her first of seven novels, Aresord, in 1959; it was published in the United States as Word of Honour in 1960. Aresord was published under the name Eleanor Babbis. Later books by the author would appear under the names Babbis Friis Baastad and Babbis Friis.
Friis-Baastad was acquainted with several physicians and some of their young patients, and she developed a special affinity for disabled children. She educated herself about mental and physical handicaps, and through her novels, she became determined to help readers understand the struggles and triumphs of children living with them. Kristy’s Courage (1965), for example, is the story of a seven-year-old girl who survives a car accident with a serious facial scar. Du maa Vaakne Tor! (1967) was written specifically for mentally handicapped readers. Friis-Baastad also wrote award-winning radio and television scripts. She died of pneumonia on January 11, 1970. Friis-Baastad is recognized for the unsentimental portraits of mentally and physically disabled adolescents in her novels, which were translated into more than ten languages.