THE CHILDREN OF SPOOKY THEATER AND THE TALKING CABINET nominated for Runeberg Junior Prize!

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We are happy to announce that THE CHILDREN OF SPOOKY THEATER AND THE TALKING CABINET by Tuutikki Tolonen, illustrated by Netta Lehtola, has been nominated for the Runeberg Junior Prize 2027!

Here is what the jury says about the book:

The Children of Spooky Theater and the Talking Cabinet is a historical novel infused with magic that captures the reader’s imagination from its very first sentence. Rich and evocative in language, it opens a window onto a world from a century ago. The illustrations complement the story beautifully, giving shape to its people, objects, and emotions. By the end, the reader is left eagerly wanting to know what happens next to the characters.

The Runeberg Junior Prize, worth 15,000 EUR, is awarded annually by the city of Porvoo and the magazine Borgåbladet to an outstanding children’s book. The purpose of the award is to promote a love of reading among children. Next, preschoolers and first- and second-grade students in Porvoo will read the books and choose the winner. The winner will be announced on February 4th, 2027, on Runeberg’s Day.

Congratulations Tuutikki and Netta!

REQUEST MATERIALS FOR THE CHILDREN OF SPOOKY THEATER HERE

Children of the Spooky Theater is a charming children’s novel series set in early 1900s Helsinki, starring twins Ottilia and Roland, who once performed in spiritualist shows. The book’s magical atmosphere will sweep you away!

On an autumn evening, two siblings appear at the door of the Orphanage of Love and Mercy, carrying with them a peculiar cabinet. Ottilia and Roland have been performers in the traveling von Hofenstaufen Spirit Theater, but now they are without a home. The kind-hearted director welcomes the twins, even though the poor orphanage is struggling financially. However, the problems might be solved when Ottilia, the children, and the Talking Cabinet organize the greatest spiritualist show of all time…

Tuutikki Tolonen’s new series exudes a mystical mood and plays with messages from the beyond. Netta Lehtola’s illustrations deliciously bring historical Helsinki to life.

THE CHILDREN OF SPOOKY THEATER AND THE TALKING CABINET by Tuutikki Tolonen & Netta Lehtola
Henkien teatterin lapset ja puhuva kaappi, WSOY 2026, 178 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)

Reading Material:
English sample, English synopsis, Finnish PDF

About author


Netta Lehtola

Netta Lehtola is an illustrator and graphic designer originally from Turku, now based in Helsinki, Finland. She works on projects ranging from books to games. Lehtola’s first illustrated children’s book, Kettujuttuja – Kolme hännäkästä tarinaa (WSOY), was nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children’s and Young Adult Literature in 2019. Since then, she has illustrated more than ten children’s books, many of which have been translated into different languages. The book Mölymyrsky (WSOY), illustrated by Lehtola, was shortlisted for the Rudolf Koivu Illustration Prize in 2025. In her illustrations, Lehtola loves to create strong atmospheres, relatable characters and dynamic compositions.

Photo credit: Veikko Somerpuro

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About author


Tuutikki Tolonen

Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award.  Her inspiration for the Monster Nanny trilogy sparked during a family breakfast. “My son Leo, then six, said: ‘I heard on the radio yesterday that all moms have to go on vacation and monsters will take their places,” she says.

Her other bestselling series is the Agnes-series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2021 nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Award, received an honorable mention for the Runeberg Junior Award, and won the Luku Varkaus Award. Tolonen tells that the inspiration for Agnes comes for her interest for weird and inexpicable tales, ghost stories and mysteries: "I wanted to write a book my daughter Aili, then nine, would like to read - not too long, not too scary, but very curious."

Tuutikki was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026 and 2027.

Photo credit: Otto Virtanen

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