 Emil Svensson lives with his mother and father, little sister Ida, farmhand Alfred, and maid Lina on a picturesque farm in Småland. He is an unusually lively little boy, who just can t resist trying out every whim that enters into his white-haired head. Always with the best intentions in mind, because he is a good-hearted child, but often with catastrophic results, especially for his short-tempered fater. As a result, Emil spends a lot of quality time in the wood shed carving wood figurines and waiting for Anton s temper to cool down. And the father s patience is certainly tried, as Emil gets his head stuck in the family s only soup bowl, hoists little Ida up the flag pole, and arranges a lavish christmas party for the poor.