Sinikka Nopola
Sinikka Nopola (b. 1953) is author of several successful children’s and adults books, novellas, plays and novels. Together with her sister Tiina Nopola she has written over 30 children’s books. The sisters’ bestselling book series feature some of the best-loved characters in Finnish children’s literature: Ricky Rapper, Even-Tempered Eric, Hayflower and Quiltshoe, and Gecko and Puupponen.
Sinikka Nopola has received several awards, including the State Award for Children’s Culture. Presented by the Arts Council of Finland, the award is an acknowledgment of distinguished work in children’s culture.
Rights sold:
Ricky Rapper series: Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Japan, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden
Hayflower and Quiltshoe series: Estonia, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia, Sweden, Russia
Even-Tempered Eric series: Sweden
Ricky Rapper Series
Ricky Rapper series stars a young boy who loves playing drums and rapping. Ricky lives with his Aunt Rita and their circle of friends includes Ricky’s best friend Nelly, Freezer Fran, Rita’s boyfriend Mr. Lindberg and many others.
The first Ricky Rapper book came out in 2004. Today, Ricky Rapper’s success in Finland is unparalleled in books for this age group. These bestselling books have been adapted into movies, plays, musicals and television animations. The third Ricky Rapper movie premiered in February 2012 and went straight to the top of the box-office list.
Ricky Rapper books won the Plättä Award in both 2002 and 2004, and were nominated for the IBBY Honour List in 2002.
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen
Ricky Rapper Gets a Dad
“Nice boy seeks father figure. Good reward.”
Aunt Fran is worried about Ricky not having a father figure. She urges Aunt Rita to find someone who can teach Ricky how to be a man. Aunt Rita puts an ad in a newspaper, and soon an ice hockey player, Mr. Hill replies. He and Ricky seem to get along fine, but then Aunt Rita notices that whenever Mr. Hill is visiting, their neighbour Mr. Lindberg is nowhere to be seen. Who is this man? And is Ricky really into ice hockey?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen
Ricky Rapper and the Famous Camilla
Is fame more important than friendship?
Ricky is upset when Aunt Rita’s old friend’s daughter, Camilla, moves in. She is practicing for a big song contest, and seems to be ruining Ricky’s life. But when she disappears, Ricky is faced with a mystery. Has someone kidnapped Camilla? Ricky and his best friend Nelly start looking for Camilla, set on getting her to the contest in time. Will she make it? And does she really want to become famous?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen
Ricky Rapper and the Last Ice Cream Cone
An incredible race for ice cream!
Ricky’s neighbour, Mr. Lindberg, has eaten the Rapper family’s last ice cream cone. Ricky is upset, and things take a turn for the worse when it turns out that the production of his favourite ice cream has been discontinued. A tiny small-town kiosk still holds a couple of cones, and so begins a frantic race to get there – and fast. Who gets to eat the last ice cream cone?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen
Ricky Rapper and the Runaway Machine
Rights sold: Poland
Ricky is spending much of his time in his own room. No requests for food or company. Only an occational “ou,ou,ou” echoes from his room and Aunt Rita is convinced that he is quoting poetry. Their neighbour Mr. Lindberg soon identifies the sound which is not poetic but futuristic: Ricky has become addicted to computer games! Lindberg quickly solves the problem by confiscating the computer but soon the familiar “ou,ou,ou” is heard from his apartment! While Ricky’s been in his hermit-like stage, his friend Nelly has developed a huge crush on a cute pop singer Billy Storm whose concert is only days away. Rita finally manages to rehabilitate Mr. Lindberg and Ricky does something so heroic that it earns him a place on stage with the famous Billy Storm himself! Nelly can’t believe her ears nor eyes when Ricky does his rap about her “Nel-ly, oh Nel-ly, you turn me into jel-ly” on stage and his Runaway Machine days are finally forgiven.
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen
Ricky Rapper and Tilda Hips
Rights sold: Japan
The school principal mistakes Aunt Rita for the new substitute teacher, Ms. Tilda Hips. The real Tilda Hips is missing, and soon Aunt Rita finds herself teaching home economics to Ricky and Nelly’s class. Embarrassed to be related to the silly substitute, Ricky tries to hide. When Aunt Rita tries to teach the students chemistry, the class is in for big surprise…. Will the real substitute teacher ever arrive?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen
Ricky Rapper and the Persistent Pimple
Winner of the Plättä Award 2004
Rights sold: Japan
Aunt Rita’s cousin Fran is coming over for a visit. Aunt Rita wants to prove to her that she is taking good care of Ricky, and gets upset when she notices a pimple on Ricky’s chin. She thinks that he is too young to be getting pimples, and wants to know if something is upsetting him. Ricky is worried that Nelly won’t want to play with him anymore, and desperately tries to hide the pimple. Will the persistent pimple disappear before Aunt Fran arrives?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen
Ricky Rapper and Dandy Andy
Rights sold: Estonia, Japan
Can your rival become your friend?
Ricky and Nelly meet their new neighbor, Andy. He never makes a mess, never raises his voice and never even picks his nose. Nelly is taken with Andy’s long eyelashes, whereas the jealous Ricky can’t understand what Nelly sees in a boy who is afraid of the oddest hings. But what happens when Ricky gets into trouble? Can Andy get over his fears and save Ricky?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen
Ricky Rapper and Freezer Fran
Rights sold: Bulgaria, Estonia, Japan
Aunt Rita’s broken leg causes havoc at the Rapper household. Rita asks Freezer Fran to come and help them – but Fran seems like a very suspect and shady character. What is she really up to? And why does she use code names for everyone? Ricky and Nelly want to get to the bottom of it. Will they expose Freezer Fran before it’s too late?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen
Ricky Rapper and Noodlehead
Rights sold: Bulgaria, Estonia, Japan
A famed tv-chef couple move in next door to Ricky and Aunt Rita, together with their daughter Nelly. It takes a few false starts and misunderstandings but finally Ricky and Nelly make friends. It turns out that Nelly isn’t as blunt as Ricky first thought. And Ricky gets to show Nelly how brave and resourceful he is by saving her cat.
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen
Ricky Rapper and the Horrible Sausage
Rights sold: Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Japan
Aunt Rita works as a telemarketer and is looking for a new sales article. Ricky suggests that she start selling sausages, and before they know it, Ricky and Aunt Rita find themselves in Budapest looking for a sausage wholesaler. Bizarre events result in Aunt Rita being arrested, and Ricky must try to free her. He gets a chance to plead with the people of Hungary to free Aunt Rita. But will they hear him out?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen
Time’s Up, Ricky Rapper
Rights sold: Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, Japan, Lithuania
Ricky Rapper is a musical boy who lives with his Aunt Rita. Ricky loves rapping and playing drums, but not everyone in the neighbourhood enjoys his musicality. The Rappers start receiving strange threats, and Aunt Rita is ready to blame the downstairs neighbour, Mr. Lindberg. But when a mysterious woman and her son appear in Ricky and Aunt Rita’s life, Ricky’s suspicions grow. Could they be behind the threats?
Hayflower and Quiltshoe series
The sweet and responsible Hayflower and the spirited Quiltshoe are quite different to be sisters. The girls’ family includes their mother, their loving but impractical father, and a little brother. The girls’ adventures often involve their neighbors, the Misses Alibullen, and the two town policemen.
The first Hayflower and Quitshoe book was published in 1989, and the 12th book in the series came out in 2006. In 2012, Hayflower and Quiltshoe make a comeback.
Hayflower and Quiltshoe books have been translated into eight languages and adapted into plays, a feature film and an opera. Winner of the Anni Swan Medal in 2003 and the Plättä Award in 2006, the series was also listed in 1001 children’s books you must read before you grow up.
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
The Twelve Months of Hayflower and Quiltshoe
The pint-sized sisters, Hayflower and Quiltshoe, have the whole year planned out! Together with the rest of their family and the Alibullen Ladies, and let’s not forget the village policemen, Big-Belly and Four-Eyes, the girls have charted the festivities and the seasons from January to December. The book consists of the diary entries, poems, recipes and songs by the girls and their friends, all appropriate to the season in question. The book also recounts the festive days throughout the year and the different customs associated with these celebrations.
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Hayflower, Quiltshoe and the Forbidden Flounder
When Quiltshoe is forbidden to eat flat-fish, her favourite, she decides to take Hayflower along and go fishing for her supper. The girls and their mom end up spending an interesting night on the island before someone comes to their rescue…but who is their hero in the end?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Hayflower, Quiltshoe and the Dancing Constable
Quiltshoe wants to be a bridesmaid and gets busy with Hayflower. They must arrange a wedding for the summer! They find the perfect bride, and begin to write proposal letters to the chosen groom. The letters cause some upheaval and excitement at the police station. But will Quiltshoe get her wish?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Hayflower, Quiltshoe and the Rubens Brothers
Awarded the Anni Swan Medal in 2003
The Rubens brothers move next door to Hayflower and Quiltshoe’s family’s summer house. One of the brothers claims to be a composer, and the other one presents himself as a painter. Quiltshoe, however, thinks that the men are strangely familiar, and Hayflower suspects that the men are phonies. Their mother, on the other hand, is thrilled by the Rubens brothers’ artistry and wants her 4-year-old son to become an artist as well. Will his artistic talent blossom? And will the girls find out the Rubens brothers’ true identities?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Hayflower, Quiltshoe and the Annoying Pest
Hayflower feels that Quiltshoe is favoured over her at all times and decides to go on strike: she won’t talk! Soon everyone in the family notices Hayflower. But who on earth is the mysterious rascal of Littoinen, whom the village policemen are actively seeking to find? All clues lead to Hayflower. Is her alibi watertight?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Hayflower, Quiltshoe and Big Elsa
Rights sold: Estonia, Japan
Quitshoe starts school, but unlike her sister, she doesn’t enjoy it. She is being bullied, and so she starts cutting classes. The Misses Alibullen tell the girls that they used to dog sit when they were younger, and Quiltshoe decides to start her own dog-sitting business. She posts an advertisement on a lamp post, and starts walking dogs when she should be in school. Hayflower is suspicious of Quiltshoe having so many free periods. And Quiltshoe soon finds out that her customers’ dogs aren’t the easiest ones to handle. But what happens when the sisters stumble upon a thief who is afraid of dogs, ghosts and heights?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Hayflower and Quiltshoe on the Chase
Rights sold: Estonia
Hayflower and Quitshoe’s summer suddenly gets a lot more exciting when they meet Bill Buckwheat, a young boy visiting the Misses Alibullen. At the same time, archaeological excavations commence on the Alibullen’s plot. One night, a precious piece of jewellery disappears from the burial ground. The town policemen arrest one of Hayflower and Quiltshoe’s family members, and in an attempt to prove the suspect’s innocence, Hayflower, Quiltshoe and Bill go after the thief in a fierce chase.
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Hayflower and Quiltshoe Look for Christmas
Rights sold: Estonia
Christmas is coming and the preparations are well underway. Grandpa tells Hayflower and Quiltshoe a story about an elf that had to be kept content by giving him treats. Then the oddest things start happening as food disappears from the cellar. All family members are suspected in turn, and even the Misses Alibullen and the town policeman fall under suspicion. But could it be the elf who is stealing the food?
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Hayflower and Quiltshoe Need a Vacation
Rights sold: Estonia
Quiltshoe thinks that it’s that time of year again when children are lazy and tired, and in need of a vacation. But the father of the family doesn’t even want to think about vacation before he can be sure that they are all safe. He insists that they spend their vacation doing fire drills in their own house. And when the family finally does go on vacation, they notice that it isn’t quite as relaxing as they thought it would be.
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Hayflower, Quiltshoe and Grandpa
Rights sold: Estonia
Grandpa comes for a surprise visit. The girls are thrilled, but their mother soon gets tired of waiting on him and decides to get a job. And so she starts working as a Knapperware consultant. At the same time, the family is baffled by strange footprints that appear in the yard during the night. It’s time to call the police.
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Hayflower, Quiltshoe and the Baby
Hayflower and Quiltshoe find out that their mother is expecting a baby. What will become of their lives? Will they lose their freedom? The expectation fills the household. Quiltshoe is determined not to give in to the intruder…
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Hayflower and Quiltshoe
If children are bored at home, surely there is no law saying that they’d have to stay there? Hayflower and Quiltshoe decide to find out if things are better elsewhere. On their journey they make friends with the Misses Alibullen and Elvis Star. The girls also get to meet the two village policemen before they get very homesick…
Even-Tempered Eric series
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Even-Tempered Eric Finds a Hobby
Mom and Dad try to get Eric excited about various hobbies: soccer, high jumping and woodwork. But the only thing that Eric becomes enthusiastic about is baking Christmas pastries. His parents are happy because Eric has finally found a hobby. But when Eric keeps on baking Christmas pastries in February, Eric’s parents get a little worried and take him skiing. At first Eric is afraid, but in the end he ends up conquering the “Devil’s Slide”, a slope feared by all villagers.
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Markus Majaluoma
Even-Tempered Eric
Rights sold: Sweden
Eric lives on a farm and is the most even-tempered child in the village. In fact, he is so even tempered that his parents are a bit worried. But Eric also knows how to laugh and develop interests when he has a good reason to.
Gecko and Puupponen Series
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Linda Bondestam
Gecko and Puupponen
Gecko is a show-off who decides to befriend Puupponen, who never objects to anything. When Gecko finds out that Puupponen’s father was Swedish, he decides that they must go looking for him in Stockholm – he just might know the Swedish royalty! Gecko and Puupponen pose as noblemen and soon win over the court – at least almost. The strict governor of the court is on to Gecko and Puupponen…
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Linda Bondestam
Gecko, Puupponen and the Lovely Rose
Thousands of tourists travel to Paris in the springtime and so do Gecko and Puupponen. Gecko just has to see Mona Lisa’s smile. Once in Paris, the big-hearted Puupponen gives his last coin to a girl in trouble, whom he mistakes for the famous Mona Lisa. But the girl’s name is Rose and she knows how to get to Mona Lisa. Once they get to the painting, Rose is handed a mysterious envelope…
Other books
Written by Sinikka Nopola | Illustrated by Linda Bondestam
Anna Winter’s Strange Delay
Anna Winter’s Strange Delay is a story for those who love seasons.
Anna Winter is sitting in a milkshake bar with Samuel Summer. The whole town is wondering what is keeping Ms. Winter – why hasn’t she covered the town with snow yet? Mr. Summer seems to have swept Ms. Winter off her feet. But is he being honest, or has Ms. Winter come across a crook? Is the town stuck with autumn for good?
Browse the book here!
Written by Sinikka and Tiina Nopola | Illustrated by Linda Bondestam
Simo, Sonia and the Missing Kerala
Rights sold: India
A colorful, cross-continental story about friendship, for children and adults alike. Sonia lives with her mother in Kerala, India and Simo lives with his father in Kerava, Finland. When Sonia happens to see Simo on TV, she can’t stop thinking about him. Then one day Sonia sees Simo in the crowd, and can’t believe her eyes. Will Simo and Sonia meet each other? And what happens when they finally do?
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