4 minute read
If You Meet a Bear
Malin Kivelä (b. 1974)
has written novels, children’s books and plays, and her writing has been published in several languages, including Vogue Italia.
She has studied journalism and theatre. Her special interests include space, television series and dance.
Martin Glaz Serup (b. 1978)
is an awarded Danish author who lives in Copenhagen where he works as a teacher of literary studies at the University of Copenhagen. He has published several children’s books, poetry collections, chapbooksessays and prose work and also works as a literary critique for different publications.
If You Meet a Bear
(Om du Möter en Björn) 40 pages | Förlaget M | 2021
A quirky field guide on what to do if you encounter a bear in the forest that encourages to talk about the relationship between humans and animals. A must-read for every aspiring outdoor adventurer!
Are you prepared for a bear encounter? This amusing picture book attempts to offer advice about what to do and not do if you come upon a bear while venturing into the forest. Should one run away, climb high or maybe just offer your honey jar to the bear as soon as possible? Several facts to remember about this furry creature.
This laugh-out-loud, how-to guide is brought to life by awarded illustrator Linda Bondestam’s expressive artwork that captures the contrast between the dangers of the dark forest and exuberant storytelling.
Published simultaneously in In Swedish by Förlaget M, in Danish by Jensen & Dalgaard and in Finnish by Teos.
If you meet a bear was nominated for two of the most pretigious Nordic literary prizes 2021: The August Prize and the Finlandia Junior Prize. It was also nominated for Runeberg Junior in Finland 2022.
Illustrated by Linda Bondestam
August prize jury 2021
Frank Furu (b. 1984) is based in Pietarsaari. You Are Not My Mother is his debut book, created together with illustrator Linda Bondestam. The touching story was inspired by his personal experiences and emotional encounters while working with refugee children for almost a decade.
Illustrated by Linda Bondestam
You Are Not My Mother
(Ni är inte min mamma) Age 4+ | 32 pages | Förlaget M | 2021
A wistful picture book depicting a little refugee girl’s emotional journey. Aysha is on her own in a strange new place, Finland. Together with others she lives at a reception centre and goes to school. Everyone around her do their best to look after and comfort her. They are friendly, they cook and eat together with Aysha, talk to her and stroke her hair. But they are not her mother, heartbroken Aysha thinks to herself as she longs for her loved ones and familiar village life. Some days are good and some are gloomy, but there is always someone to comfort her and a lap to sit on, Aysha is not alone. This is an important and stopping story based on real events – a touching narrative by Frank Furu combined with Linda Bondestam’s delicate colour palette. The book was nominated for Runeberg Junior Prize 2022. "The illustrations invite us to step into a small person’s life, alone in a new and foreign country. The book’s short and melancholic text, together with the illustrations, creates a strong emotional experience for both the reader and the listener."
Tove Appelgren (b. 1969)
is an author, a director and a playwright. The story about the headstrong young girl with a stressed-out mum gained international interest. Vesta-Linnéa books have been translated into 13 different languages and nominated for several prizes, including the Finlandia prize.
Salla Savolainen (b. 1962)
is a celebrated and productive illustrator, who excels in children’s books and is known for her varied styles and successful collaboration with many authors. She won the Kukko award in 2013 for non-fiction.
Popular Vesta-Linnéa books centre around the headstrong, creative and curious VestaLinnéa, her ideas and issues with not wanting to sleep, the dream of her own dog, having dark thoughts and feeling lonely. These books address common emotions and issues, that many readers will recognise and connect with. A Swedish language TV series is now being broadcasted on YLE in Finland.
Vesta-Linnéa’s Darkest Thought
(Vesta-Linnéa svartaste tanke) 38 pages | 2008
Go to Sleep, Vesta-Linnéa
(Sov nu, Vesta-Linnéa) 36 pages | 2003
Vesta-Linnéa and Friends
(Vesta-Linnéa och vännerna) Age 4+ | 32 pages | 2019
Vesta-Linnéa and the Monster Mum
(Vesta-Linnéa och monstermamman) 34 pages |2001
Vesta-Linnéa in the Moonlight
(Vesta-Linnéa i månskenet) 38 pages | 2013
Vesta-Linnéa’s Dog
(Vesta-Linnéa och gosnosen) 34 pages | 2005
