6 minute read
Ilon Wikland
Oili Tanninen (b. 1933)
Finnish award-winning author and llustrator Oili Tanninen has created over 20 children’s books. Her works have been published in various languages. Her simple, yet bold illustrations in graphic colours make her artwork feel as fresh today as when the first books were published in the 1960’s. Tanninen’s books have been published in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Swedish.
© Tommi Tuovi
Bean and Ball
(Papu ja Polla) Age 1+ | 28 pages | Otava | 1970
A wintery tale in bold block colours. Bean the snow rabbit and Ball the snowman play in the snow. But when spring comes and rain starts, where do they go?
A retro picture book series originally published only in Japan has been brought to life in stunning Pantone colours. New translations published in Finnish, Korean and Italian.
Hippu and a Friend
(Hippu) Age 1+ | 28 pages | Kodansha | 1976
Heppu and a House
(Heppu) Age 1+ | 28 pages | Kodansha| 1976
Hippu
(Hippu) Age 1+ / 28 pages / Otava / 1967
Beautifully crafted in collage techique, this simple, stylish picture book about little mouse Hippu is a classic.
Misu and a Balloon
(Misu) Age 1+ | 28 pages | Kodansha | 1976
Pommo and a Ball
(Pommo) Age 1+ | 28 pages | Kodanhsa | 1976
Hippu the mouse builds a snowmouse to enjoy a snowy day. Heppu the dog needs a new home when his house gets too small. Misu the cat buys the perfect birthday present for a friend. Pommo the girl plays with a ball, but her friend Piko the bird comes to help when the ball rolls onto the road.
© Tre Sandberg AB Inger Sandberg (b. 1930) and Lasse Sandberg (1924-2008)
Swedish cartoonist and illustrator Lasse Sandberg and teacher and author Inger Sandberg met in the 1950s and started their successful collaboration as a creative team and married couple. Outside the Nordics they are best known for their books about Little Anna and Little Ghost Laban. Together Inger and Lasse wrote and illustrated over 100 books and they have been nominated and awarded several prestigious prizes, including the ALMA Award prize and Elsa Beskow plaque.
Little Anna is a little girl who likes to do things by herself. She wants to build things and she wants to decide on things. She know how to! She has a good friend, the world’s Tallest Uncle. Tall Uncle is tall and thoughtful. Little Anna is small and very brave. Together they form a great team.
Little Ghost Laban is a ghost who’s afraid of the dark. His scary (but kind) father has high hopes for his son, but Laban is more interested in helping out around the castle than learning the spooky business. His sister Labolina is feisty, full of fun and with a very strong voice that keeps them all awake at night.
Little Anna Looks at Vehicles
(Lilla Anna tittar på fordon) Age 0+ | 18 pages | Rabén & Sjögren | 2021
Little Anna Looks at Animals
(Lilla Anna tittar på djur) Age 0+ | 18 pages | Rabén & Sjögren | 2021
The Big Book about Little Anna, Ghost Laban and Friends
(Stora boken om Lilla Spöket Laban, Lilla Anna och några till) Age 3+ | 142 pages | Rabén & Sjögren | 2021
Special anthology of the bestloved classic stories created by Inger and Lasse Sandberg with refreshed artwork. The six stories include Little Anna and Tall Uncle at Sea, Little Ghost Laban, Thumb's ball runs away, Help me, said Pulvret, What's that Noise, said Ghost Laban, When Little Anna Had a Cold and Black, White and Other Colours.
Three Stories about Little Ghost Laban
(Tre berättelser om lilla spöket Laban) Age 3+ | 96 pages | Rabén & Sjögren | 2021
This story collection includes the following three original stories: Ghost Laban gets a Little Sister, What's that Noise, said Ghost Laban, Daddy is Ill, said Ghost Laban.
Nina Pirhonen (b. 1975)
is a multi-talented picture book author and fashion and graphic designer. She knows her target audience: bold designs and bright colours, whether it is vehicles, animals or a tantrum-prone toddler. New character Leo the Lion has a very personal touch. Nina's latest picture book project is a vehicle series published by Macmillan Children's Books UK.
Kuvittaja magazine
© Nina Pirhonen
Leo the Lion Says No
(Leo Leijona sanoo ei) Age 2+ | 32 pages | Otava | 2019
Leo the Lion Makes Friends
(Leo Leijona tykkää kavereista) Age 2+ | 32 pages | Otava | 2020
Heartfelt and real picture book about little Leo coming to terms with new emotions, learning new skills and pushing his boundaries. Temper tantrums are not always the way to get what you want!
The book was nominated for Rudolf Koivu picture book award in 2019. A sequel to continue the series on Leo the Lion navigating his way through growing pains and new experiences – how does one make friends and play with them nicely? Real experiences shine through in this new series on emotional development.
Leo the Lion Faces his Fears
(Leo Leijona voittaa pelon) Age 2+ | 32 pages | Otava | 2021
In the third book, Leo has an exciting day ahead: he is going to the doctors and to a new nursery. At night he can’t sleep. Even though Mom and Dad comfort him and the bright flashlight and monster repellent chase away the monsters, fear remains. Why does one have to be scared when it makes you feel so miserable?
© Jonne Räsänen Johanna Lestelä (b. 1984)
is an author who works as a teacher and understands her young audience. Fresh illustration style and funky colours make this new series stand out.
The praised Tuikku series on first experiences presents everyday worries in a relatable way.
Tuikku Dares
(Tuikku uskaltaa) Age 3+ | 32 pages | Otava | 2021
Tuikku dreams about playing football but hesitates when Mummy enrols her on a football class. What if she isn't good enough? Does she even dare to try? Friendly neighbour and football enthusiast Lucky knows just what to say and encourages Tuikku to step on the field.
Tuikku's Bedtime
(Tuikku ja pimeän mörkö) Age 3+ | 32 pages | Otava | 2020
It’s time for bedtime up, but Tuikku's toys all over the place. Mummy tells her to clean up but Tuikku gets upset. When her bedtime routine is finished, another worry raises its head. Luckily, Mummy knows the tricks for overcoming the fear of the dark.
Tuikku and the Grumpy Day
(Tuikun tärkeä tehtävä) Age 3+ | 32 pages | Otava | 2019
Tuikku is a three-year-old who has something heavy on her mind after a day at the nursery. The worry sits in her tummy and Tuikku must confess to her mummy that she has been mean to her best friend at nursery. Tuikku must apologise to her friend.
