book about a little girl called Bibi

[vittoria]

does anybody recognise this book I read when I was about 12-13 (c.ca 1976): two little girls called Bibi and Ulla agree to swap their names because the blond one thinks Bibi suits her better and the dark-haired one prefers to be known as Ulla. The book is mostly about Bibi. Her mother has 'married down' and been disowned by her rich, snobbish family. The marriage was happy but she died young. Bibi is being brought up by her father whom she adores but she would like to meet her grandparents. Bibi can travel for free on the railways as a perk of her father's job (train driver). One day she meets a wealthy looking elderly couple on the train and tells them about herself (she is a friendly little soul). She can't understand why their eyes are becoming misty etc. (sob sob, she has chanced to meet her own grandparents). Although I was living in Italy and read it in Italian, I think it was originally Scandinavian, but it was not Astrid Lingstrom (of Pippi Longstocking fame). I think this may have been written several years before Pippi Longstocking. I enjoyed the book. Does it ring any bells?

[woofgang]

go to http://www.abebooks.co.uk click on reading room, then booksleuth and post your description. Recently the postings there have sped up again.