Monster Nanny sold to the U.S. and China!

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We are proud to announce that the U.S.-based publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has acquired the World English rights to Tuutikki Tolonen’s prize-winning middle-grade novel Monster Nanny, while the simplified Chinese rights were sold to Beijing Children’s Publishing House. The rights are now sold in 8 territories!

Tuutikki Tolonen’s Monster Nanny is the first part in a duology, illustrated by the renowned artist Pasi Pitkänen, and its follow-up Monster Route will be out in the fall of 2016. The novel recently received the prestigious Arvid Lydecken Prize for an outstanding children’s novel.

A blend of Where the Wild Things Are, Mary Poppins and My Neighbor Totoro, Monster Nanny tells the story of a contemporary family whose daily routines are turned upside-down when a hairy, swamp-smelling creature said to be specializing in childcare shows up at their doorstep.

Praise:

“I loved this fresh and funny novel.   The author matter-of-factly creates a world where monsters work as nannies and bathrobes talk – there’s a classic old fashioned, Roald Dahl feel to it with the everyday and the fantastic interacting seamlessly.   We’re happy to bring this clever and engaging Finnish novel to US readers.” — Margaret Raymo, senior editor, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

“I am scared of monsters, but very fond of Monster Nanny! I will tell the Chinese readers: if you want a monster and a friend, pick this work up.” — Qi Yangping, Editor, Beijing Children’s Publishing House 

“Tuutikki Tolonen’s Monster Nanny is an original, fresh and skillfully constructed novel, which appeals seamlessly to both juvenile and adult readers. The characters are easy to identify with, the narration flows freely, and the mystery of the monsters soon has the reader hooked. Themes of friendship and tolerance are woven in the thrilling and good-natured adventure. – – Monster Nanny has all the ingredients of a beloved children’s classic.” — Arvid Lydecken Prize jury

Contact the agency for the full English text!

RIGHTS SOLD
Original publisher: FINLAND, Tammi

CHINA (simplified Chinese), Beijing Children’s Publishing House
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag (two-book-deal)
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon (two-book-deal)
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera

WORLD ENGLISH, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Reading materials:

Book 1:

Full English text
Finnish edition

Book 2:

English synopsis

Finnish text (available soon)

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com