ADRIFT sold to Poland and Romania!

We are incredibly happy to announce that our new picture book ADRIFT Or How Some Balloonists Got Lost Underground and Encountered Something Incredibly Strange by Jukka Laajarinne, illustrated by Elina Warsta has been sold to Poland and Romania! The Polish rights have been sold to SmartBooks, and Romanian rights to Vellant. Both deals were closed by Satu Sallantaus at Ahlbäck Agency, the Romanian deal in collaboration with our wonderful co-agent Simona Kaleva at Corto Literary.

Adrift tells, through stunning images and words, how freedom can be found in friendship and belonging. The book was nominated for the Finlandia prize in children’s literature in 2025:

“In this work, text and illustrations are combined in a way that allows them, as equal elements, to carry the fairy tale and the hot-air balloon forward through the pages of the book. Through the meticulous images and landscapes brimming with detail, the story deepens continuously, and new dimensions can be discovered even after several readings. Although it is a picture book aimed at younger children, its subtlety makes it appealing to readers of many ages.”
– Finlandia Prize jury 2025

For Adrift, we have the full English translation available!

DOWNLOAD READING MATERIALS FOR ADRIFT HERE

Laule-Lii is used to soaring alone in her airship, free as a bird in the sky. Somewhat reluctantly, she accepts the company of two other pilots, Giant-Putti and Mirella, and together they set out to help farmers plagued by a fierce dragon.

An exhilarating adventure awaits, where all three will need to use their different skills. Laule-Lii finds herself in a tighter spot than ever before: among others, on solid ground. Yet her heart leaps with joy when, together, they drive away the intruder.