ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to contribute to the history of childhood and conceptions of children in Norway and the Nordic countries by exploring the selection of songs offered to children in the most widespread school songbook in Norway —the Skolens Sangbok. It provides a background to the songbooks by underscoring the significance of the Norwegian Constitution of 1814. The chapter highlights the significance of singing as stated in the introductions to the three selected editions of the Skolens Sangbok. It analyzes central themes in the 1914, 1949 and 1964 editions respectively, providing a frame of reference for understanding elements of Norwegian notions of childhood and conceptions of children. The chapter reviews the songs that were included in all three editions, forming a "Norwegian Canon." It compares the Norwegian songbook with one much used Swedish songbook and one Danish, and then discuss similarities and differences within a "Nordic Canon.".
