What knowledge do Swedish students have about India, and what do the Indian students know about Europe? How do the pupils achieve their knowledge? Do they gain their knowledge through their teachers, or do they get their knowledge from other sources? The three subject groups for this study were twelve year old students, teachers, and teacher trainees from both Sweden and India. Student literature is also of central importance for the study. The two countries education system are similar in many ways, however one important difference is the history of the school system. Another is the syllabus and curriculum. The conclusion being made here is that the availability of literature in students’ surroundings is insignificant as far as enjoyment of reading is concerned. The joy with reading seems to come from another source. Swedish teacher-trainees are more critical to the school literature than their Indian counterparts.