Miss Swift’s Weird and Wonderful House

Magdalena Hai

Original title: Neiti Kymenen ihmeellinen talo

Author: Magdalena Hai

Illustrator: Teemu Juhani

Published: 2020

Publisher: Otava

Genre: Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Pages: 200

Reading material:

English sample and synopsis

Twelve monkeys, a matador ghost and tigers in the garden – Miss Swift’s house has everything imaginable, except people. But why does she have three bedrooms ready for children?

Miss Swift lives happily alone in an extraordinary house. And she is not completely alone, she has twelve monkeys, some garden
tigers and one ghost to keep her company. But when a little boy appears on her doorstep, before Miss Swift even notices it Pekka and his two cousins are rummaging through her house, looking for their missing beast. And if there’s anything Miss Swift despises in this world it is children.

But why does the house have so many bedrooms? And why are the children feeling so home at Miss Swifts house? Is there
something she could have forgotten?

Miss Swift’s Weird and Wonderful House is a new fantasy story for middle-grade readers full of funny details and fast-paced events. Teemu Juhani’s illustrations bring the house and its eccentric characters to life.


Praise:

"One of the main characters is the house itself! And Miss Swift's hourse has a dash of magic! - - - The fast-paced black-and-white illustrations [by Teemy Juhani] support the sense of adventure, makes the plot move quick, and - despite its many mazes - is easy to read. " – Turun Sanomat newspaper

”This is a book that is surely read repeatedly in many families, and every time it’sjust as  enjoyable for both adults and children.” – Maaseudun tulevaisuus newspaper

”A clever book, and an amazing reading experience in so many levels. It gives the readers, young and old ones, a lot to think about on making mistakes, admitting them, facing fears – and the concept of time. One can learn important emotional skills from this book.” – Kirjakissa blog

”Miss Swift’s Weird and Wonderful House is a most wonderfully weird story all children will love for its marvelous adventure and humor. The monkeys are simply irresistible.” – Kristina Hlaváčková, Editor, Grada, Czech Republic

”This is a book that is surely read repeatedly in many families, and every time it’sjust as enjoyable for both adults and children.”

– Maaseudun tulevaisuus newspaper

Download reading materials

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
CZECH REPUBLIC: Grada
DENMARK: Vild Maskine
RUSSIA: Eksmo

Video

Foreign covers

About author

Magdalena Hai

Magdalena Hai is an award-winning author, lover of cross-genre fiction and all things strange. Her fiction often combines elements of sci-fi, fantasy and horror.

Her Little Shop of Nightmares series has been sold to 30 territories around the world. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finlandia Prize for children's and YA literature and the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated  the Nordic Council Children & Young People's Literature Prize.

Besides being an author, Hai teaches writing and is an active member and editor in the publishing co-operative Osuuskumma.

Bibliography


2023, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)

Magdalena Hai

Little Shop of Nightmares 4: The Crystal Skull


2023, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Magdalena Hai

The Horned God


2021, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Magdalena Hai

The Spell of Iset


2021, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)

Magdalena Hai

Little Shop of Nightmares 3: Sticky the Horrible Snowman


2020, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Magdalena Hai

Miss Swift’s Weird and Wonderful House


2019, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)

Magdalena Hai

Little Shop of Nightmares 2: The Mystery of the Missing Teeth


2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Magdalena Hai

The Third Sister


2018, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)

Magdalena Hai

Little Shop of Nightmares 1: The Terrible Tickling Powder


2017, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Magdalena Hai

Grumblebelly Cat


2012, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Magdalena Hai

The Beggar Princess