20 minute read
Picture Books
Pete Leppänen (b. 1975)
is a Helsinki-based author. With his 30 years of experience from the underground world of rock’n’roll and a touch of imagination, Pete came upon the story about Rock the Rabbit, an underdog and daydreamer and Rolla the Owl, his howling companion, the budding rock stars of the village of Trickythicket.
Leppänen works in book publishing. After business hours, he continues to create new rock tunes with his guitar to inspire the adventures of Rock and Rolla.
© Uzi Varon
(Rokki-Pupu & Rolli-Pöllö – Kirotut lokit) Age 7+ |appx 160 pages | Lasten Keskus | 2022
Rock the Rabbit and Rolla the Owl’s dreams seem to come true when they go on tour as the warm-up act for the Ghastly Gulls – the world famous rock band that was introduced in Rock the Rabbit and Rolla the Owl. The friends have numerous of gigs, hundreds of miles in the cool tour bus, and excited audiences ahead of them.
But somebody is trying to sabotage Ghastly Gulls part of the shows. Or are the band simply cursed? As the tour goes on Rock & Rolla and their roadie Feisty the Guinea pig do their own investigations to find out who is behind all the nuisances. But how will they catch the culprit in action?
Rock the Rabbit & Rolla the Owl: The Ghastly Gulls is a rock mystery adventure, filled with delicious twists and exhilarating rock references.
Rock the Rabbit and Rolla the Owl
(Rokki-pupu ja Rolli-pöllö - Keikkakuumetta) Age 7+ | 140 pages | Lasten keskus | 2021
A story for little rock fans and parents who want to tune up storytime.
When word goes out that the local world-famous rock band the Ghastly Gulls will be performing at their school disco, Rolla the Owl sparks an idea: her and Rock the Rabbit’s band would be the perfect opening act.
As the idea takes flight, the duo finds themselves in front of a chance of a lifetime as they prepare for the upcoming performance. Not all are excited about the duo’s upcoming show. Luckily Doc the Owl and Magic Mitts the Mole can guide them towards their dreams.
The book includes a rock-themed vocabulary at the end, allowing readers to familiarise themselves with the world of rock.
© Eva-Stina Kjellman
Sofie Sarenbrant (b.1978)
is one of the most successful crime authors in the Nordics, best known for her award-winning Emma Sköld series, which has sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Her crime novels have been translated into over 15 languages. Mira and Moon is her debut middle-grade series, introducing Sofie to new young readers in Sweden and internationally. The translation rights for A Friend for Life were sold in Finland pre-publication.
"Sofie Sarenbrant has found the balance and conveys a nuanced portrayal.”
Bibliotekstjänst (Swedish library journal)
Mira and Moon: A Friend for Life
(Mira och Månen: En vän for livet) Age 9+ | 192 pages | Bookmark Förlag | 2022
This smashing new series for middle-grade readers introduces 13-year-old Mira, who struggles with social anxiety. As she befriends Moon, the most beautiful pony at the stables, she starts to find courage and confidence.
The only place Mira feels at home is in the horse stable. In school, she is treated as if she wasn’t even there, and her social inabilities excludes her from her classmates. Although the riding classes are challenging, it is among the horses that Mira finds refuge.
Moon is the most popular pony at the riding school, but after being injured, he is left abandoned. That is until Mira steps in. She secretly starts to take care of Moon, and soon they grow a strong bond and Mira starts to dream about competing with Moon. But Mira is afraid that Annie, the best rider who always competes with Moon, will find out about their secret and put a stop to it, separating Mira and Moon.
A Friend for Life is the first book in the new series about Mira and Moon. As in her successful adult crime wrinting, Sofie Sarenbrant again brings forth important issues in an entertaining format. The heartfelt book is inspired by classic horse books and is set apart by its pacy storytelling and contemporary topics of mental issues, loneliness and social awkwardness. It is a story about not fitting the mold, finding strength from unexpected sources and bravery within.
Siri Kolu (b. 1972) is a writer, dramatist, director and theatre instructor among many other duties in the Finnish cultural field. She is a Finlandia Junior Prize winner and her works have been translated into 22 languages. She has been awarded the Laivakello Prize by the Finnish Institute for Children's Literature and in the Netherlands, Siri Kolu won the Silver Slate Pencil. Me and the Robbersons received an honour mention in British Book Trust's In Other Words competition in 2018. Siri Kolu is a front-line author with a strong voice and a broad range from humourous middle grade to edgy YA, cross-over.
© Mirva Kakko
The Woken Ones: The Secret of the Night
(Hereiset: Yön salaisuus) Age 9+ | 160 pages | Otava | 2022
One night, 11-year-old Leo wakes up to discover that his seemingly normal parents have been keeping a secret from him. Every night, his mom and dad turn into fighters who battle terrifying creatures of the night – right in their back yard. Now that the truth has become clear to Leo, he too must join the fight and protect his little sister Lumia from the night world of horror. For this, he will need endless wit and courage.
But if you struggle with ferocious monsters all night, you will inevitably get tired during the day. How could Leo possibly lie to his best friends, and tell them that all is well? He knows that he has no choice, for the secret must not be revealed.
The Woken Ones: The Secret of the Night is the first book in a new addictive series by celebrated author Siri Kolu, illustrated by Johanna Lumme. Drawing inspirations from ancient myths and gaming, Kolu has created an action-packed horror story that also touches on subjects such as grief and friendship.
"Siri Kolu has evolved into a modern day Astrid Lindgren.”
An impactful YA series about the power of stories, family and love, hope and war. How stories we tell shape our history and our destiny. An exclamation mark of human rights and life after a pandemic.
Wild House trilogy
An action-packed contemporary adventure trilogy with speedy chasing scenes, secretive characters, Cluedo-like problem solving – and a house that grows legs! The main character TomTom and his friends experience an adventure of a lifetime as they set on a quest to solve the mystery of the Wild House, discover the existence of Roof Riders and eventually encounter the Wild House of nightmares in the finale.
Wild House Book 1: The Amazing Villa Van Böök
Age 8+ | 224 pages Otava | 2019
Wild House book 2: Roof Riders
Age 8+ | 254 pages Otava | 2020
Wild House Book 3: The Battle of The Black House
Age 8+ | 294 pages Otava | 2021
The Robbersons series, nine titles Me and the Robbersons
"With a deliciously anarchic Dahl-ish energy to it and a lovely message to end, The Robbersons is already a hit all over the world – it’s about time we got a chance to read it here”
Daniel Hahn, author and translator, praise for the UK edition.
(Me Rosvolat) Age 8+ | 24 pages | Otava | 2010
The award-winning and "entertainingly different" Me and Robbersons of worldwide fame is now available in English for the first time, after being translated into over 20 languages since it was first published in 2010.
Stories from the Edge of The World
Terror trilogy
Strangers Outside Terror Inside
Matilda Gyllenberg (b. 1980)
is a journalist and author. She has worked as a news anchor, has been a presenter and editor for various television programs and she has also written columns. She made her literary debut with the novel Breathless Home in 2019. One Hundred Days at Home is her first novel for children.
One Hundred Days at Home
(Hundra Dagar Hemma) Age 11+ | 150 pages | Förlaget M | 2022
As the Christmas holidays comes to an end, 11-year-old Nike realises she can’t go back to school. The staring gazes and loud noises of her classmates are simply too much for her to handle, not to mention the strong, overwhelming smell in the school cafeteria that almost makes her want to vomit. A darkness comes rolling in, preventing Nike from doing what she wants most – to be at school just like everyone else.
The town’s indoor swimming pool burns down, and Nike suddenly has a lot on her plate. With her best friend Mia they are drawn into an exciting and rather scary mystery that they must solve all by themselves. Fortunately, Mia is the bravest person Nike knows, she dares to face both the police and the unpleasant school janitor. As the two friends come closer to finding the culprit, Nike must step in, and overcome her greatest fears.
One Hundred Days Home is a fast-paced detective mystery that touches on important subjects such as mental illness and focuses on the main circles of a pre-teen: the close surroundings, school and friends. The books is illustrated in black and white by Maria Sann.
© ANiklas Sandström © Arto Wiikari
Nadja Sumanen (b. 1975)
is an occupational therapist and mother of two children. She loves spending time with her family at their cabin. She values sincerity, food prepared with love and cycling on forest roads. Her first novel Rambo was awarded the Finlandia Junior Prize in 2015. She has since written other YA fiction. Her titles have been translated into Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Lithuanian and Russian.
Rambo
Age 12+ | 200 pages | Otava | 2015
Rambo gives a platform to the youth who rarely get their voice heard.
Rambo has been raised by his mother and is used to coping on his own when mum is depressed. He has a short fuse but a vivid imagination, and at school he avoids the company of those who are better off.
Getting to go to mum’s boyfriend’s parents’ cabin brightens up the summer holidays. What a paradise, there is structure to the day, mealtimes and the most warm-hearted hosts you could imagine. The peace is broken by cocky Liina’s arrival. On the surface it would appear she is doing just fine, but is she really any happier than Rambo?
"Nadja Sumanen’s depiction of her characters spans three generations and is so warm and moving it’s a shame to part with the characters at the end of the novel! Rambo wants to be an ordinary 14-year-old boy, but he isn’t. The story’s theme is the social marginalisation and family problems that are so relevant in today’s society, but the book is nevertheless bright and hope-filled. You miss Rambo as soon as the book ends."
Dess Terentjeva (b. 1992)
is an author of Russian origin who lives in the vibrant city of Tampere in Finland. As a migrant author, both Russian and Finnish cultural aspects reflect in her works. Her writing also carries strong LGBTQ themes. Terentyeva has a Master of Arts from the University of Jyväskylä.
With her manuscript for Lovely (Ihana) Terentyeva won WSOY's new voices YA writing competition leading to the publication of her debut solo novel in 2021.
© Sonja Siikanen
Lovely
(Ihana) Age 14+ | 128 pages | WSOY | 2021
A fresh and cohesive verse novel with a narrative that resembles the spoken word.
Lilja is a pansexual in 9th grade who constantly has a crush. Lilja has nicknamed her latest social media crush as Lovely. It turns out that Lovely is the child of Lilja’s single dad’s latest girlfriend, quite the game-changer. Lovely appears to be a confident and conscious nonbinary on social media, but Lovely’s conservative mother has no clue about her child’s true identity. Can Lilja come to terms with the fact that dad is dating a woman who seems to be transphobic? And can one force another to show their true colours?
In 2021 Lovely won Finnish publishing house WSOY’s writing contest that discovers new voices. After publication the same year it was also nominated for Finlandia Junior, Topelius and Torchbearer (Tulenkantaja) awards. Film rights were optioned in 2022.
"The captivating and touching 'Lovely' (Ihana) is a whole and beautiful reading experience. The passionate rhythm of the language in the work manages to reach the experiences and the feelings of young people accurately and credibly. Becoming accepted as one’s true self, being seen and feeling loved is a vast theme that is handled sensitively and skillfully through the verse novel.”
© Jesse Haaja Helena Waris (b. 1970)
writes atmospheric fantasy novels for young adults, where the stories are based in a world that draws inspiration from nature and Finnish folklore. She has won the Kuvastaja prize, awarded by the Finnish Tolkien Society, for an unrivalled four times.
Netherholme trilogy
Stout-hearted thundermen, fearless maidens, romance and dashing wordplay – the landscapes of primeval Finland are ruled by ancient powers and eternal love. The world is sliding inevitably towards long winter. Only one family, that of Ailegais, Arni, and Troi with their spouses and children, are protected by the ancient powers to survive it.
This acclaimed three-part fantasy is a beautiful tale of humanity's shrouded origins, from the era of retreating ice and cave paintings. The world of old, with its legends and beliefs, wilderness and lakes, fells and villages, will enchant readers of all ages.
Netherholme Book 1 A Path Drawn to a Dream
(Uniin piirretty polku) Age 13+ | 463 pages Otava | 2009
Netherholme Book 2 The Wolf Children
(Sudenlapset) Age 13+ | 437 pages Otava | 2011
Netherholme Book 3 Winterblooded
(Talviverinen) Age 13+ | 333 pages Otava | 2013 "The myths and beliefs Waris embeds in histories make the world vibrant and authentic.” “The skilful use of Finnish landscapes and mythology in the series creates something new and unique.”
Salla Savolainen (b. 1962)
is a celebrated and productive illustrator, who excels in children’s book and is known for her varied styles and successful collaboration with many authors, including Star Hill Stables (Tikkumäki) series with Reetta Niemelä and VestaLinnéa -series with Tove Appelgren. She has also written four picture books herself.
Savolainen’s drawings have been shortlisted and awarded several prizes including the Kukko award in 2013 for non-fiction. She has also been nominated for the Finlandia Junior Prize three times. Her works have been translated in more than ten languages to date.
Mastermind illustrator Salla Savolainen rolls out with Asphalt!, the first part of the new Construction trilogy. Welcome to the world of cement mixers, diggers, bulldozers, dump trucks, rumbling rollers, graders and pavers, fascination gizmos, loads of know-how and action. The noise, sights, and constant activity of the construction site make each day interesting. Learning about building roads and how they are constructed has never been so much fun.
The next books in the series introduce readers to the busy and noisy daily life at a cement plant and a wrecking yard. The series is to be published in Estonian, Czech, Russian, Swedish and Thai to date.
Construction series:
Asphalt! 2021 Concrete! 2022
Junk! 2023
© Kyösti Kontio
Concrete!
© Klaus Welpi
Laura Ruohonen (b. 1960)
is one of the most prominent Finnish playwrights, a poet and director whose works have been translated into 27 different languages. She has been granted several awards, including Kordelin’s literary award and Pro Finlandia 2010.
Erika Kallasmaa (b. 1969)
Erika Kallasmaa is an award-winning artist, illustrator and graphic designer. She is a master of visual story-telling and her medium expands beyond the means of books and printed matters to theatre, television, architecture, performance arts and installations. Kallasmaa was awarded the Finnish state prize of visual arts in 2013.
Otus Opus – Zoology Poetry
(Otus Opus, Zoologipoesi) Age 5+ | 64 pages | Otava & Förlaget M | 2020
An enclyclopedia in verse about strange and wonderful insects and small animals.
A thrilling collection of factbased animal poems featuring over 30 cat-sized creatures and smaller: meercats, flying squirrels, sea snake, hedgehogs and bumblebees. The factual texts are accompanied by exhilarating animal art. This stunningly different fact book has notions of Eric Carle’s illustration style and delicious madcap poems. The book has been published simultaneously in Finnish and in Swedish. The illustrated poetry books Allakka Pullakka, Yökyöpelit and Tippukivitapaus have become moder classics and they have been adapted into an award-winning television series, successful theatre plays and songs. The latest book Kummalla kammella is published in 2022 by Otava. The poems have been published in Swedish and sample translations exist in English and German.
Linda Liukas (b. 1986)
is a children’s book author and illustrator who travels the world as a keynote speaker and shares the message of embracing coding and computing at technology conferences, teacher training sessions and even at United Nations. In 2018 she was selected on the Forbes list of top 50 women in tech. In 2019 she launched Love Letters to a Computer teacher training programme on YouTube. Hello Ruby books have been translated into 33 languages.
The Wall Street Journal
© Maija Tammi
Hello Ruby: Very Big Computing Adventure
(Hello Ruby. Mahtava tietokoneseikkailu) Age 5+ | 256 pages | Otava | 2021
The world-famous Hello Ruby series is now available in one volume! A collection of the four original books, seasoned with new exercises on each topic.
Welcome to the whimsical world of computing and learn about computers, programming and technology together with Ruby.
This bind-up comprises four different stories from the world of computers that teach how the Internet works and how machines act and learn. Combined with up to 100 updated exercises and a new teacher's guide at the end of the book.
Hello Ruby books have been translated in 33 languages and they have taken the author and coding ambassador Linda Liukas, loved by teachers and tech world, all around the world.
Hello Ruby 1: Adventures in Coding
Age 5+ | 112 pages | Feiwel & Friends | 2015
In Ruby’s world, anything is possible if you set your mind to it. As Ruby embarks on her adventure, children will be introduced through storytelling to the basic concepts of coding and programming.
Hello Ruby 2: Journey Inside the Computer
Age 5+ | 96 pages | Feiwel & Friends | 2016
A journey inside the machine that powers our world. The computers around us work tirelessly, but what if there was a way to peek inside? Part storybook, part workbook, the book even includes a DIY paper computer.
Hello Ruby 3: Expedition to the Internet
Age 5+ | 96 pages | Otava | 2017
Join Ruby and her friends in their quest to build the most amazing Snow Internet ever. Future kid coders can put their knowledge and imagination to the test with the fun and creative exercises included in the activity book section.
Hello Ruby 4: Robot’s First Day at School
Age 5+ | 96 pages | Otava | 2018
Are people and computers the same or different from each other? Do robots have feelings? Emotionfilled narrative and mind-bending activities explain the difference between how humans and machines act and learn. Dive into the world of artificial intelligence.
In the fairytale world of Roundies, children learn to recognise and control emotions. Roundies is a study based concept for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in early childhood, developed by experts in psychology and pedagogy.
This Roundies picture book collection with its colourful world, inspiring characters and story-based approach is a key element of the emotional education model. The books are created by Roundies collective, in Finland the books are published by Kustannus-Mäkelä.
Crocosmile ACTS LIKE A BULLY
In this story: Practising empathy
THREE CHEERS
for Cheeraffe
In this story: What are you good at?
Crokosmile Acts Like a Bully
(Heko Kroko kiusaa) Theme: Practicing empathy | 2021
Penguin Faces the Challenge
(Pelokas Pingviini ylittää itsensä) Theme: Overcoming anxiety | 2019
Three Cheers for Cheeraffe
(Kiva Kirahvin kannustus) Theme: Personal strength | 2020
Bouncy Banana GOES BANANAS
In this story: Time to calm down
Bouncy Banana Goes Bananas
(Pomppu Bansku ylikierroksilla) Theme: Calming down | 2018
Piggy Makes a Mess
(Siro Saparon iso moka) Theme: Problem solving | 2019
KissKiss FEELS LEFT OUT
In this story: Being a good friend
Kisskiss Feels Left Out
(Puspus Pusukala tahtoo leikkiin) Theme: Being a good friend | 2018
Cocoala WANTS TO BE THE BEST
In this story: Dealing with jealousy
Cocoala Wants to Be the Best
Cranky Crabbie’s HISSY FIT
In this story: Feeling Cross
Cranky Crabbie's Hissy Fit
Sisu Fox DOESN’T GIVE UP
In this story: Perseverance
Sisu Fox Doesn't Give Up
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Molli koputti Sisun oveen. Sisu tuli avaamaan. – Kas Molli, Sisu sanoi ja haukotteli. – Nyt olen koristellut joulukuusen, siivonnut, laulanut joululauluja, ollut kiltti ja kirjoittanut joulukortit. Niin sitä minä vaan, että joko se Joulu kohta tulee? Molli kysyi. – Huh, ei onneksi vielä moneen yöhön, Sisu hengähti voipuneena. – Ihan kamalasti vielä tehtävää. Piparkakkutalokin on leipomatta! – Sittenkö Joulu tulee, kun se rapariparikakkutalo on tehty? Molli kysyi. – Niin, niin, aivan, aivan, Sisu mutisi ja sulki oven haukotellen jälleen.
Molli palasi kotiinsa hiukan huolestuneena. – Jos Joulun tuloon on vielä monta yötä, niin silloin on myös monta päivää, jolloin pitää jaksaa olla kiltti. Puuh! Molli huokaisi.
