Middle-Grade

Three new Children’s deals!

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We are thrilled to announce three new Children’s deals!

Firstly, Cambourakis has acquired the French rights to LITTLE MOUSE AND THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT, the 8th and latest title in the LITTLE MOUSE series by Riikka Jäntti! The deal was closed by Toomas Aasmäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

The Éditions Cambourakis are delighted to continue publishing Riikka Jäntti’s series Little Mouse. As we follow in his footsteps, we discover everyday’s marvels and surprises; a character our little French readers don’t seem to be tired of!
– Charlotte Groult, Assistante éditoriale, Éditions Cambourakis, France

Secondly, the Bulgarian rights for I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER, a children’s non-fiction title by Tero Mielonen and Mari Ahokoivu, have been acquired by Enthusiast, an imprint of Alto! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Thirdly, the Albanian rights to the internationally bestselling MONSTER NANNY trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen and Pasi Pitkänen have been acquired by Westprint! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

The wonderful LITTLE MOUSE series has been sold to 19 territories, but the rights are still available in Hungary, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Norway, Czech Republic, Lithuania, etc.

Download the full English PDFs for the entire series here!

The inspiring and educational I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER has been sold to Bulgaria and Latvia. All other rights are available!

Download the full English PDF here!

The humorous MONSTER NANNY trilogy has now been sold to 32 territories, but the rights are still available in Japan, Croatia, World Arabic, Bulgaria, Greece, Slovakia, Iceland etc.

Download the full English PDFs for the entire series here!

FILI GRANTS REMINDER

We are thrilled to remind you that the latest application period for Finnish Literature Exchange (FILI) translation and printing grants is still open and will last until May 1st!

It’s a perfect time to acquire exciting Finnish titles and apply for translation grants!
Don’t have a Finnish translator yet? Find them here!

In the last application period in Winter 2022, 63 projects earned a grant with 113,000€ awarded in total. See the previously awarded projects here!

Translation grants
Up to 70% of translation costs from Finnish or Finland-Swedish can be covered by a FILI translation grant. There are 3 application periods in a year, and the Spring application period is 1.4.–1.5.2022.

LITTLE MOUSE SERIES
PIKKU HIIRI
Tammi, 2015-2022, 48 pp.

READING MATERIALS
Full English PDFs

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Into (orig.)
ALBANIA: Dritan
AUSTRALIA: Scribble/Scribe
CHINA: Beijing Yuntu Tech
DENMARK: ABC Forlag
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
FRANCE: Cambourakis
GERMANY: Cross Cult
ITALY: Sinnos
NEPAL: Kathalaya
NEW ZEALAND: Scribble/Scribe
POLAND: Filia
PORTUGAL: Harper Collins Iberica
ROMANIA: Editura Paralela 45
RUSSIA: Strecoza
SLOVAKIA: Fortuna
SPAIN (Spanish): Harper Collins Iberica
SPAIN (Catalan): Harper Collins Iberica
UK: Scribble/Scribe

 

I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER
MAAILMAN TUTKIJAT
Ursa, 2021, 53 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
Full English PDF

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
BULGARIA: Enthusiast
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji

 

MONSTER NANNY TRILOGY
MÖRKÖVAHTI
Tammi, 2015-2020.

READING MATERIALS:
Full English PDF for #1, English samples and synopses for #2 and #3

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND, Tammi (orig.)
ALBANIA: Westprint
AUSTRALIA: Allen & Unwin
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
DENMARK, Turbine
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
KOREA: Seosawon
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto
NETHERLANDS: (print) Luitingh-Sijthoff
NETHERLANDS: (audio) Saga Egmont
NEW ZEALAND: Allen & Unwin
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
OCEANIA: Allen & Unwin
POLAND, Vesper
PORTUGAL, Asa Editiones/Leya
ROMANIA: Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SERBIA: Laguna
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
UKRAINE: School Publishing House
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
WORLD ENGLISH, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Mari Ahokoivu


Mari Ahokoivu (b. 1984) is a Finnish illustrator and a comics artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly drawing graphic novels and comics for children, including Sanni & Joonas and Lola Olifante.  Ahokoivu loves everything cute and scary. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Author page

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Riikka Jäntti


Riikka Jäntti, a 2003 graduate of University of Industrial Art of Helsinki, now part of Aalto University, is a Helsinki-based illustrator and author who has created art for both nonfiction and fairy tale books for children. Her first children’s book was published in 2005. Jäntti is best known for the adorable Little Mouse series that has publishers in 16 territories, including Australia, Nepal, and China!

In her illustrations, she uses pen and ink as well as watercolor and gouache. In 2009 Jäntti won the first-ever Tieto-Lauri, an award for children’s and juvenile non-fiction, for her illustrations in Viidakkotanssi (Jungle Dance). The book was written by Markku Löytönen about the explorer Rafael Karsten in Ecuador.

Author page

Tero Mielonen


Tero Mielonen (b. 1981), PhD, is an atmospheric scientist and a comic book enthusiast. He studies the role of atmospheric aerosols in climate change at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. He also enjoys public outreach in its various forms. Mielonen has written a graphic novel, The Ozone Diary (illustrated by Pentti Otsamo), which offers a refreshing perspective on how science is put into practice, and the adventure of starting a new life abroad. Mielonen has also written a children’s book, I'll Become a Researcher (illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu) which gives introductions to several scientific fields and shows how you can still do the things you enjoyed as a child when you become a scientist. Mielonen lives in Kuopio and is partial to cycling everywhere.

Author page

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Estonian rights sold for HILJA AND THE OPERATION CHRISTMAS MAGIC

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We are glad to let you know that the 4th title of Heidi Viherjuuri’s HILJA-series – HILJA AND THE OPERATION CHRISTMAS MAGIC – will be published in Estonia by Eesti Raamat!
The deal was closed by Toomas Aasmäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency

The Hilja-series show the charm of simplicity and the magic of everyday situations. Together with the colorful characters, it results in captivating and humorous reading.
– Reet Trummal, head of Children’s & YA, Eesti Raamat, Estonia

Hilja is an energetic, curious and cheeky seven-year-old girl who lives in the countryside in a wooden house that always needs some fixing. She loves to climb trees, run around, go fishing and make new friends.
Hilja has only seen her grandma in an old photograph. However, there are three ladies in the neighborhood who are making sure that Hilja doesn’t have just one grandma but three!

Download the English materials for Hilja-series here!

HILJA AND THE OPERATION CHRISTMAS MAGIC
by Heidi Viherjuuri, illustrated by Nadja Sarell
Chapter Books (6-9 Years)

Hilja’s sister Veini claims that Christmas is just a publicity trick, but Hilja decides to prove that Christmas is real and magical. A secret operation begins, and it involves making an elf trap, lots of secret notes and spying on neighbors. Even Santa is not having it easy – he has to take part to Hilja’s lie detection test.

Many, many miscommunications are ahead before the family of the Green house can finally calm down for Christmas.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Mäkelä (orig.)

ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat
GERMANY: WooW Books
RUSSIA: Strecoza

Heidi Viherjuuri


Heidi Viherjuuri lives in Cologne, Germany, where she writes about things big and small and also everyday life situations. She loves green tea, weekdays, history, traveling by train and having silly laughs with her son. Heidi´s works have rich language and are straight-to-the-point at the same time and one of her favorite books is the Finnish thesaurus.

Author page Author webpageAuthor Facebook

Nadja Sarell


Nadja Sarell is an illustrator living in Helsinki, Finland. She graduated with MA in Dance from Theatre Academy Helsinki. Soon after that she moved to a small town in North Wales to study children’s book illustration. She graduated from North Wales School of Art and Design with BA in Illustration for Children’s Publishing in 2004.

Since then she has worked as a freelance illustrator for children’s publishing in Finland and abroad. She loves to teach art, illustration and dance for both children and adults. She is also passionate about surface pattern design and enjoys creating charismatic, expressive book characters.
If Nadja was an animal, she would be a cat living in an old mansion with a large fireplace and a comfy sofa. Her favourite things are her family, music, dancing, black coffee and chocolate.

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS acquired in Hungary!

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We are very happy to announce that Tuutikki Tolonen’s AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS, illustrated by Kati Vuorento, has been acquired by Cerkabella in Hungary.
The deal was closed by Toomas Aasmäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency

Agnes is a courageous, lovely character, a real model for our young readers, especially in such demanding, almost frightening times.
-Agnes Nyulas, editor, Cerkabella, Hungary

11-years-old Agnes has to move to a small countryside town with her mother. Her parents are divorced, and Agnes doesn’t know anyone from her new hometown. She is not having the best summer of her life. But then something weird happens. Agnes finds an old tombstone that has her name and birthday engraved on it – only the birth year is different!

The series will already be published in 8 countries, but rights are still available in Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, the US, UK, Turkey, Poland etc.

Download the English materials for the Agnes-series here.

AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS
by Tuutikki Tolonen, illustrated by Kati Vuorento
Middle Grade (8-12 Years)11-years-old Agnes has to move to a small countryside town with her mother. Her parents are divorced, and Agnes doesn’t know anyone from her new hometown. She is not having the best summer of her life. But then something weird happens. Agnes finds an old tombstone that has her name and birthday engraved on it – only the birth year is different. Whose grave is it? And after the visit to the cemetery she starts to have very mysterious dreams. It feels like someone who lived a long time ago is trying to tell something to her… Is it possible that these two Agneses from different times have some connection?

Rights sold:

FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)

CZECH REPUBLIC: Portál, s. r. o.
DENMARK: ABC Forlag
ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat
GERMANY: Carlsen Verlag
HUNGARY: Cerkabella
ROMANIA: Editura Paralela 45
RUSSIA: Rosman

Kati Vuorento


Kati Vuorento is an illustrator living and working in Espoo, Finland: ”In small details there is an infinite magic. I want my illustrations to stir emotion in the audience. Empathizing is important to me. In my illustrations, I always include approachable characteristics to even the most hardened anti-hero. This is how I mold the characters into personalities with depth and dimension.”

She is the illustrator of middle-grade Agnes series by Tuutikki Tolonen that was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

AGNES AND THE SHADOW IN THE WINDOW now sold to Estonia pre-publication!

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We are really happy to announce that the final title in Agnes series – AGNES AND THE SHADOW IN THE WINDOW has now been acquired by Eesti Raamat in Estonia!
The deal was closed by Toomas Aasmäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency

ESTONIAN PRAISE:
The books of the „Agnes“ series masterfully interweave the past and the present, fascinating us with the mysterious atmosphere and beautiful illustrations. Despite of the serious topics covered, the books leave a bright impression and are very enjoyable to read.
– Reet Trummal, Head of Children’s and YA literature, Eesti Raamat, Estonia

The series has 7 international publishers, but the rights are still available in the US, UK, Germany,  Italy, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Norway, Lithuania etc.

Download the English samples and synopses for the trilogy here.

 

NEW: #3 Agnes and the Shadow in the Window

The acclaimed series continues!
Agnes and her mother have moved into their mysterious manor where summer camps are held. Suddenly, drawings that no one claims to have drawn appear during the summer arts camp. A strange shadow is captured by Agnes’s camera, as if someone is standing next to the window in the empty room. Does the manor have more secrets to share?

#1 Agnes and the Garden of Dreams

Moving to a new city is frightening enough for 11-year-old Agnes. But when she makes an exciting discovery at the local cemetery, the summer isn’t the same anymore!
Everything began on that one summer day when Agnes walked through the cemetery gate. She had just moved to a boring new town and left behind her old home and friends. But then something weird happened and her life became more exciting than ever!
She finds a tombstone that has the name Agnes on it – and the same birthday as hers! From that day on, Agnes keeps having dreams of a girl who hides a key in a beautiful garden. When Agnes stumbles upon the same garden, she knows she must find the key. But what will it open?

#2 Agnes and the Mysterious Mansion

Agnes’ adventures continue in this sequel that is both a ghost story and a family mystery.
Agnes and her mother have inherited a beautiful old villa, but there seems to be something strange about it. There is a lovely scent of flowers in the air, even though there aren’t any flowers in the houses. Every morning, the lid of an old piano is found open even though no one has been playing it. More importantly, why can they hear steps on the staircase to the attic?

PRAISE:

Agnes is a very charming story about friendship and family, it is gripping and heartwarming at the same time. Tuutikki Tolonen takes us to a place full of mysteries and dreams and she creates an atmosphere where the reader immediately feels comfortable. We are very happy to welcome Agnes to our list!
– Wiebke Andersen, Editor, Carlsen Verlag, Germany

AGNES TRILOGY
by Tuutikki Tolonen, illustrated by Kati Vuorento

WSOY 2020-2022.

Rights sold for the series:

FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)

CZECH REPUBLIC: Portál
DENMARK: ABC Forlag
ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat
GERMANY: Carlsen Verlag
ROMANIA: Editura Paralela
RUSSIA: Rosman

Kati Vuorento


Kati Vuorento is an illustrator living and working in Espoo, Finland: ”In small details there is an infinite magic. I want my illustrations to stir emotion in the audience. Empathizing is important to me. In my illustrations, I always include approachable characteristics to even the most hardened anti-hero. This is how I mold the characters into personalities with depth and dimension.”

She is the illustrator of middle-grade Agnes series by Tuutikki Tolonen that was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Dutch rights for LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 3 sold!

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We are overjoyed to announce that the Dutch rights for LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 3: STICKY THE TERRIBLE SNOWMAN by Magdalena Hai and Teemu Juhani have been sold to De Vier Windstreken! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

The wonderful younger middle-grade series written by Magdalena Hai and illustrated by Teemu Juhani has already been sold to 24 territories, but the rights are still available in United States, United Kingdom, France, Iceland, Croatia, China, etc.

Download the full English PDFs for books 1-3 and the text for book 4 in the series here!

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Nina is a is a clever, 9-year-old girl who goes to work in the Little Shop of Nightmares. During the course of the trilogy, she has to solve a mystery with tickling powder, find the lost teeth of a vampire and discover the reason why suddenly it just doesn’t stop snowing. The Little Shop of Nightmares is a mystery full of fascinating and fun characters that make young readers both wonder and laugh!

#1  THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
When Nina, 9 years old, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is
greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing.
With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help
him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus
Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

#2  MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares.
But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help
vampire Lucas to find his teeth from Mr. Kook’s shop. But for some reason all the vampire
teeth seem to have disappeared. It seems like somebody has hidden them on purpose…

#3  STICKY THE TERRIBLE SNOWMAN
Same awesome monsters. New blizzardy trouble. The Little Shop of Nightmares is
getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm,
but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps
getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside.

#4  THE CRYSTAL SKULL
The Little Shop of Nightmares crew finds out that a pirate sailing competition is coming to town! Competing to be the fastest pirate ship are the Ghosts, the Zombies, the Sirens and the Better Pirates – all of whom want the Crystal Skull that has been given to Mr. Kook for safekeeping at the Little Shop of Nightmares. When the Crystal Skull suddenly goes missing from the shop, little Nina and her friends start their investigation – and the suspects are a-plenty!

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES SERIES:

#1: Kamala kutituspulveri, WSOY, 2019, 60pp
#2: Hampaat hukassa, WSOY, 2019, 60pp
#3: Hirmuinen Jumimies WSOY, 2021, 60pp
#4: Kristallikallon tapaus, WSOY, 2022, 60pp

Reading materials:
English PDFs for books 1-3, English text for book 4

Rights sold:
FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

BULGARIA: Emas
CATALAN: La Galera
CZECH REPUBLIC: Euromedia
DENMARK: Vild Maskine
ESTONIA: Postimees Publishing
GERMANY: Egmont Schneiderbuch
GREECE: Dioptra
HUNGARY: Cerkabella
ITALY: Terre di Mezzo
KOREA: Gilbutschool
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA: Briedis
NETHERLANDS: De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY: Fontini
POLAND: Znak
ROMANIA: Editura Univers
RUSSIA: KompasGuide
SERBIA: Odiseja
SLOVAKIA: Ikar
SWEDEN: Hegas
TURKEY: Epsilon
WORLD SPANISH: La Galera

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

German rights for THE BOOK OF OBOI sold to Cross Cult!

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We are really glad to let you know that the German rights to Veera Salmi’s THE BOOK OF OBOI have now been sold!
The deal was closed by Toomas Aasmäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

The new publisher is Cross Cult and they are really happy:

„The Book of Oboi” is a suspenseful adventure for middle-grade readers. This book is a great way to get children interested in literacy and the written language in general and to show them, that books are not only letters or words – there are fantastic thoughts and whole worlds in them.
– Andreas Mergenthaler, Cross Cult, Germany

Download the English sample and synopsis here

THE BOOK OF OBOI
by Veera Salmi

In the city where nobody reads – can a book save the World? What about an orphaned boy who doesn’t believe in stories?

A spectacular novel about a world where literacy has been decimated and a boy who does not believe in stories. Thirteen-year-old Oboi has run away to find his former homestead. He ends up in a peculiar and disaster-stricken city where no one knows how to read. People are led by the mysterious Wanda, who, via devices hooked up to one’s palm, says what everyone should know or do. At a flea market, Oboi meets a woman who gives him a book. According to her, this book can change everything and help find what Oboi thought was lost forever. Suddenly the story-averse Oboi notices he has become the hero, that orphaned boy deemed to save the whole world.

OBOIN KIRJA
Otava January 2022, 304 pp.

Age group: 10+

RIGHTS SOLD:

FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
GERMANY: Cross Cult

READING MATERIALS:
English sample and synopsis

Veera Salmi


Veera Salmi (1976) is a Helsinki-based writer, who has worked over 15 years as a kindergarten teacher. The real starting point for her career as a writer was given by the children in the kindergarten, who said they wanted to hear stories of children who live in the city. So she started writing such stories. Now Veera Salmi is a bestselling author of over 20 books.

Author page

Bibliography


Veera Salmi

The Book of Oboi

2022, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Veera Salmi

A Beautiful Day to Die

2020, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Related news

Introducing: EALA Spring 2022 Children’s & YA Catalogue!

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EALA Spring 2022 Children’s & YA Rights Guide is here!
Bologna season starts now!

Today, we cannot be happier to launch our 2022 Spring list!

Figure out how to become a researcher, notice robots among us, solve secret codes and find out, how can plants move and where have thousands of species disappeared.

Celebrate a birthday with Little Mouse, build robots with Kati-e, see the pirate ships hit the shores near Little Shop of Nghtmares, meet the Super Embarassed Superhero and discover with Oboi the land where nobody reads.
To read a captivating story of rebellion, hope and humanity, go to water-covered future Japan with Aleksei and Satomi.

If you need a break go to an island with Anni  – but beware – a treasure hunt is about to begin!
If you are looking for ghost stories, move into a mysterious manor with Agnes and see the shadow in the mirror. Or go to Lapland to an orphanage, where children’s emotions are robbed by Demons.

We have over 10 exciting new Children’s and YA titles for you in our Spring 2022 digital catalogue, browse the full list here.

THE BOOK OF OBOI
by Veera Salmi

In the city where nobody reads – can a book save the World? What about an orphaned boy who doesn’t believe in stories?

A spectacular novel about a world where literacy has been decimated and a boy who does not believe in stories. Thirteen-year-old Oboi has run away to find his former homestead. He ends up in a peculiar and disaster-stricken city where no one knows how to read. People are led by the mysterious Wanda, who, via devices hooked up to one’s palm, says what everyone should know or do. At a flea market, Oboi meets a woman who gives him a book. According to her, this book can change everything and help find what Oboi thought was lost forever. Suddenly the story-averse Oboi notices he has become the hero, that orphaned boy deemed to save the whole world.Download the English sample and synopsis here
BENJAMIN BATEMAN – SUPER EMBARRASSED SUPERHERO
by Hannele Lampela, illustrated by Pasi PitkänenWhat if your superhero costume looked like a butterfly and your only superpowers would be having a good heart and an imagination?Welcome to the embarrassing life of Benjamin Bateman!The wholly hilarious and thrilling adventures of a super embarrassing superhero for middle-graders!Benjamin Bateman is stunned when he finds out that he is part of a family of superheroes. Who would’ve believed that about poor Benjamin?
Benjamin’s superhero costume is quite embarrassing though – a butterfly. And his superpower is even more mortifying – a good heart and imagination! But when Benjamin must battle the terrifying Mortem, a deep imagination will come in handy.
The story is enriched by the colorful illustrations of Pasi Pitkänen. A movie is being planned based on the title.Download the materials here
WHAT IS A ROBOT
by Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Aapo Ravantti

Robots are all around us and we don’t even notice

  • Laura Ertimo’s Children’s non-fiction titles have sold to 18 countries
  • Pre-publication rights already sold to Estonia!

Friends Ro and Bot take a look at where one might bump into robots both now and in the future in this entertaining illustrated book. What do robots and humans have in common, and how do they differ?  Do robots think, can they have a crush on someone or even get mad?

Everything becomes clear in this amazing book by award-winning, bestselling children’s non-fiction author Laura Ertimo.

Download the reading materials here

WHERE THE LIGHT COMES IN by Anne-Maija Aalto

Aleksei is a young man whose father runs a human research institute in Tokyo, which is now partly covered by the sea. New batches of test subjects regularly arrive at the facility, including one with Satomi, a young woman whose memory is set to be erased. Satomi becomes Aleksei’s trial case, since he is meant to continue his father’s work. But something is already churning beneath the surface, and the younger generation can see the horrors of the system their parents have created.

Anne-Maija Aalto’s Finlandia Award-winning Where the Light Comes In is a tremendously skillful, captivating story of rebellion, hope and humanity.

Download the English sample for this Finlandia-winner here!

 
… but that is not all!

We have 6 more exciting new Children’s and YA titles for you in our Spring 2022 digital catalogue, browse the full list here.
It would be so nice to talk about these and other titles with you!

Book an EALA Zoom meeting for the Spring season via e-mail: info@ahlbackagency.com

See you soon!

Team EALA,
Elina, Toomas, Elsa, Sten-Erik and Linda

Dutch audio rights for MONSTER NANNY trilogy sold!

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We are thrilled to announce that the Dutch audio rights to the MONSTER NANNY trilogy have been sold!

Danish digital publisher SAGA Egmont has acquired the Dutch audio rights to all three titles of the MONSTER NANNY trilogy – MONSTER NANNY, MONSTER ROUTE and MONSTER MESSAGE. The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

The wonderful series by Tuutikki Tolonen and illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen has 31 publishers around the world and a feature film in development by Scott Free Productions.

Rights are still available in Japan, Greece, Slovakia, Iceland, Croatia, Bulgaria etc.

Download the English materials for the Monster Nanny trilogy here!

PRAISE for MONSTER NANNY:

”The upbeat tone, oddball details, and Pitkänen’s humorous b&w cartoons combine to create a strange but entertaining romp that will surprise readers at every turn.” – Publishers Weekly, USA

”The unflappable Halley, the resourceful Koby, and the self-possessed Mimi, inspired by her talking blue bathrobe, have the right stuff to be perfect fictional friends for a home-alone school holiday. The Hellman children’s monster, Grah, is far from a Mary Poppins, but in that honored tradition of children who find fantastic adventures just beyond the purview of parents, this one is right on target to enchant middle readers who dream of summer fun during these long winter nights.” – Books For Kids Blog, USA

MONSTER NANNY TRILOGY
written by Tuutikki Tolonen, illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen

Book 1: Monster Nanny
Mörkövahti. Tammi 2015, 300 pp.

The Hellman children must make do with a nanny while their mother is away at a spa. The only problem? Their nanny is a monster.

Grah is hairy, dusty, and doesn’t talk. When the siblings discover that other neighbourhood kids have been left with similar creatures, they start to wonder where the monsters came from. With the parents away, the kids work together (between bickering) to figure out the mystery of the monsters.

Book 2: Monster Route
Mörköreitti. Tammi 2016, 280 pp.

Mimi 6 years, has snuck into the monsters’ underground world after her monster friend Grah. She travels in their tunnels, led by the odd Gate Keeper. Back at home, Koby and Halley put their heads together and manage to get in touch with Mimi. But who is the mysterious and frightening ruler of the monster world?

Book 3: Monster Message
Mörköviesti, Tammi, March 2020, 250 pp.

Hellman kids face new troubles. Mom and Dad want to move into a bigger home on the other side of the city. Mimi’s talking bathrobe feels strangely shrunk, and drops hints of leaving. Monstrologist Runar Kalli is starting to act his age without his rejuvenating root potion – and he’s 122. Something must be done. When Mimi finds crumpled leaves with strange markings in her room, they look like messages from underground, but who’s delivering them and why? And why does the Gatekeeper of the underground world appear in their bathroom?

Rights sold for the MONSTER NANNY seires:

FINLAND: Tammi (orig. publisher)

AUSTRALIA: Allen & Unwin
BOSNIA: Šahinpašić
BRAZIL: DarkSide Books
CHINA: Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC: Portál
DENMARK: Turbine
ESTONIA: Tiritamm
FRANCE: Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY: Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY: Tessloff Babilon
ITALY: Salani/Mauri Spagnol
KOREA: Seosawon
LATVIA: Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto
NETHERLANDS: Luitingh-Sijthoff
NEW ZEALAND: Allen & Unwin
NORWAY: Gyldendal Norsk
OCEANIA: Allen & Unwin
POLAND: Vesper
PORTUGAL: Asa Editiones/Leya
ROMANIA: Editura Univers SRL
RUSSIA: Rosman
SLOVENIA: Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish): La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan): La Galera
SWEDEN: Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY: SEV Redhouse Kidz
UKRAINE: School Publishing House
VIETNAM: Nha Nam
UNITED STATES: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS: Scott Free Productions

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Bibliography


Tuutikki Tolonen

Agnes and the Shadow in the Window

2022, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Tuutikki Tolonen

Agnes and the Mysterious Manor

2021, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Tuutikki Tolonen

Monster Message

2020, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Tuutikki Tolonen

Agnes and the Garden of Dreams

2020, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Tuutikki Tolonen

Monster Route

2016, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Tuutikki Tolonen

Monster Nanny

2015, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Related news

Czech rights sold for AGNES AND THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR!

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We are very happy to announce the third international rights sale for Tuutikki Tolonen’s AGNES AND THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR! Rights have been acquired by Portál in the Czech Republic!
The deal was closed by Toomas Aasmäe at Elina Ahlbäck Literary Agency

CZECH PRAISE:

I really like the stories with Agnes. They are mysterious and have an atmosphere. Some things are unsaid in the book, so the reader can understand the book the way he/she wants. The story leads children to think about their family’s history and take the interest in the lives of their grandparents. This is very important. The story combines old and the wise with new and young.
– Hana Zobacova, editor, Portál, Czech Republic

AGNES AND THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR is the second title in the Middle Grade (8-12 years)  series, Agnes. The first title AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS will be published in 6 countries.

The series is illustrated by talented Kati Vuorento.

Download the materials for both titles here.

AGNES AND THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR by Tuutikki Tolonen
Middle Grade (8-12 Years)Agnes and her mother have inherited a beautiful old villa, but there seems to be something strange about it. There is a lovely scent of flowers in the air, even though there’s no flowers in the houses. Every morning, the lid of an old piano is found open even though no one has been playing it. More importantly, why can they hear steps on the staircase to the attic?
Rights sold: FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), CZECH REPUBLIC:Portál, ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat, ROMANIA: Editura Paralela 45

Download materials here
AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS by Tuutikki Tolonen
Middle Grade (8-12 Years)11-years-old Agnes has to move to a small countryside town with her mother. Her parents are divorced, and Agnes doesn’t know anyone from her new hometown. She is not having the best summer of her life. But then something weird happens. Agnes finds an old tombstone that has her name and birthday engraved on it – only the birth year is different. Whose grave is it? And after the visit to the cemetery she starts to have very mysterious dreams. It feels like someone who lived a long time ago is trying to tell something to her… Is it possible that these two Agneses from different times have some connection?
Rights sold: FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), CZECH REPUBLIC: Portál, s. r. o., DENMARK: ABC Forlag, ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat, GERMANY: Carlsen Verlag, RUSSIA: Rosman

Download materials here

Kati Vuorento


Kati Vuorento is an illustrator living and working in Espoo, Finland: ”In small details there is an infinite magic. I want my illustrations to stir emotion in the audience. Empathizing is important to me. In my illustrations, I always include approachable characteristics to even the most hardened anti-hero. This is how I mold the characters into personalities with depth and dimension.”

She is the illustrator of middle-grade Agnes series by Tuutikki Tolonen that was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

German rights sold for the award-winning WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO

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We are very excited to let you know that the WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO – Travelling Through Time With Lotta and Kasper written by Laura Ertimo and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu has now been acquired in Germany by the publisher Cross Cult.
The deal was closed by Toomas Aasmäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

In WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, two children, Lotta and Kasper, find clues about the great changes that life has undergone in the past and how life has continued after major catastrophes.

Through their journey, they come to see the roots of the current situation, understand why solving it is so tricky and learn how the human species has overcome previous crises to survive to this day.

Download the English sample and Finnish pdf for the book here

The book just yesterday received the Tieto-Lauri award for the Best Children’s Non-Fiction title of 2021!
Here’s what the award jury said:

Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO: Traveling Through Time With Lotta and Kasper
by Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu
Lotta and Kasper keep seeing new worrisome news: dying bees, endangered animals, plastic in the Mariana Trench and on the glaciers of Antarctica, rivers polluted by mines, forest fires…

The children realize that even if the problems of climate change were solved, Mother Nature would still be in trouble! Climate change is only one part of an escalating environmental crisis. How will we survive?

The fossil gremlin suggests that Lotta and Kasper set out on a grand journey through time in search of threads that may connect the past to the present and provide solutions for the future.

With the gremlin as their guide, the children find clues about the great changes that life has undergone in the past and how life has continued after major catastrophes. Through their journey, they come to see the roots of the current situation, understand why solving it is so tricky and learn how the human species has overcome previous crises to survive to this day.

 

WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?
Aika matka! Lotta, Kasper ja luontokadon arvoitus
Into, 2021, 48 pp.

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Into (orig.)

GERMANY: Cross Cult

READING MATERIALS:

English synopsis,
Full English translation,
Finnish PDF

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

Mari Ahokoivu


Mari Ahokoivu (b. 1984) is a Finnish illustrator and a comics artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly drawing graphic novels and comics for children, including Sanni & Joonas and Lola Olifante.  Ahokoivu loves everything cute and scary. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Author page

‘Where Did the Animals Go – Travelling Through Time With Lotta and Kasper’ wins the Tieto-Lauri prize for Children’s and YA nonfiction!

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Prestigious award for the praised children’s nonfiction about environmental and ecological crises

We are very excited to announce that just this morning it was revealed that ‘WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO – Travelling Through Time With Lotta and Kasper’ written by Laura Ertimo and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu won the Tieto-Lauri prize for the best Children’s and YA nonfiction title 2021! The original Finnish title is ’Aika matka! Lotta, Kasper ja luontokadon arvoitus’. The prestigious award is worth 15 000 €.

The jury states that: “Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.” 

Download the materials from here

We are incredibly happy to see this stand-alone sequel to the best-selling WEIRD WEATHER continue its success after the Finlandia nomination last year!

Congrats to Laura Ertimo and Mari Ahokoivu!

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Into (orig.)

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

Mari Ahokoivu


Mari Ahokoivu (b. 1984) is a Finnish illustrator and a comics artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly drawing graphic novels and comics for children, including Sanni & Joonas and Lola Olifante.  Ahokoivu loves everything cute and scary. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Author page

THE GRUMBLEBELLY CAT now acquired in Italy!

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The award-winning classic fairytale about greed now sold to 9 countries!

We are beyond excited to announce that THE GRUMBLEBELLY CAT by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani has now been sold to Italian publishing house Terre di Mezzo! The deal was closed by Elsa Lindström at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency

ITALIAN PRAISE: The Grumblebelly Cat is a classic story, a contemporary message accompanied by magical illustrations that will speak to everyone.
– Eleonora Armaroli, Terre di Mezzo, Italy

Previously, this wonderful allegory has been acquired by Epix Förlag in Sweden, Dressler/Oetinger Verlag in Germany, Antolog in North Macedonia, Tiritamm in Estonia, Widnokrag in Poland, Dogan Egmont in Turkey, and Vild Maskine in Denmark.Rights are still available in the US and UK, Russia, Hungary, Norway, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Romania, and more!

GRUMBLEBELLY CAT won the Finnish Literature Export Prize in 2018 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize in 2018 as well. Additionally, the book was nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Prize 2017 and Runeberg Junior Prize 2018.

Download the full illustrated English pdf here!

GRUMBLEBELLY CAT
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

In a barren land, when a little girl meets a gigantic cat that threatens to devour her, she makes it a smart offer. The girl leads the cat across the lands, looking for something to satiate its hunger before it eats her, but they encounter draught, destruction and people who have nothing to eat except their dreams. When the cat gobbles up the girl, she finds something in its belly, something that has made it so hungry…

PRAISE for GRUMBLEBELLY CAT:

A thought-provoking fairytale about greed and its consequences. The structure of the book, blended with contemporary and classical fairy tales elements, makes it valuable for readers of all ages.
– Keriman Güldiken and Elif Bilgin, editors, Dogan Egmont, Turkey

This wise, and incredible story will be published in Poland! Being fans of Finnish literature, we are very excited to share this amazing book  GRUMBLEBELLY CAT with the Polish children.
– Katarzyna Węgierek., Widnokrag publishing house, Poland

A wise and fearless fairytale novel about a cat with an appetite bigger than itself. At the same time it is a story about a girl smaller in size than her soul.
– Aamulehti newspaper

GRUMBLEBELLY CAT
Kurnivamahainen kissa
Karisto, 2017, 46pp

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Karisto (orig.)

DENMARK: Vild Maskine
ESTONIA: Tiritamm
GERMANY: Dressler/Oetinger Verlag
ITALY: Terre di Mezzo
NORTH MACEDONIA: Antolog
POLAND: Widnokrag
SWEDEN: Epix Bokförlag
TURKEY: Dogan Egmont

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

German rights for WEIRD WEATHER now pre-empted!

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We are really happy to let you know that the German rights for WEIRD WEATHER have now been pre-empted by Cross Cult!

Weird Weather! is accurate but hopeful children’s title that explains how humans are responsible for climate change and what we can do to fight it.

Publisher Cross Cult is inspired:

Author Laura Ertimo and illustrator Mari Ahokoivu use text parts, comic style scenes and large illustrations to make an important and difficult topic accessible to younger readers. We are looking forward to publish the German edition of this great book that makes aware and explains one of the great problems of our time.
– Andreas Mergenthaler, Publisher, Cross Cult, Ludwigsburg, Germany

Rights are still available in: Russia, Czech Republic, Romania, Korea, Turkey, Albania, Netherlands, France, UK, Greece, Bulgaria, Iceland etc.

Download the Full English pdf for the title here!
WEIRD WEATHER

by Laura Ertimo, illustrations by Mari Ahokoivu

Climate changes, why don’t we? Weird Weather! answers children’s tough questions about climate change, and tells how we can all fight against it.

Two clever buddies, Lotta and Kasper get tired of their parents’ evasive answers about weird weather. They decide to research what climate change is really is
about!

Weird Weather! is accurate but hopeful children’s nonfiction that explains how humans are responsible for climate change
and what we can do to ensure a brighter future. It also gives tips on how everyone can make better choices and practice climate skills every day. But climate change won’t be beaten with tiny tricks, and this book also encourages talking to children about how to make changes in society, and how working together can change everything.

Author Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature. Her latest title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO? was nominated for Finlandia Prize for Children’s and Youth Literature in 2021.

Illustrator Mari Ahokoivu (b. 1984) is a Finnish illustrator and a comics artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly drawing graphic novels and comics for children, including Sanni & Joonas and Lola Olifante.  Ahokoivu loves everything cute and scary. She lives and works in Copenhagen.
Her illustrated title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO? was nominated for Finlandia Prize for Children’s and Youth Literature in 2021.

WEIRD WEATHER
Ihme ilmat, Into 2019, 48pp

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Into (orig.)

DENMARK: Staarup & Co.
ESTONIA: Avita
GERMANY: Cross Cult
HUNGARY: Ciceró Könyvstúdió Kft.
ITALY: Edizioni Piemme S.p.a
LATVIA: Jumava
LITHUANIA: Obuolys
MACEDONIA: Feniks
MEXICO (Latin American Spanish rights): Ordinal
NORWAY: Aschehoug
POLAND: AMBER Sp. z o.o.
SERBIA: Odiseja
SLOVAKIA: Ikar
SPAIN: Norma Editorial
SWEDEN: Raben & Sjörgen
UNITED STATES: Skyhorse Publishing

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

Mari Ahokoivu


Mari Ahokoivu (b. 1984) is a Finnish illustrator and a comics artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly drawing graphic novels and comics for children, including Sanni & Joonas and Lola Olifante.  Ahokoivu loves everything cute and scary. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Author page

AGNES series now acquired in Romania!

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Tuutikki Tolonen’s middle-grade AGNES series has now been acquired in Romania!

We are very happy to announce that Tuutikki Tolonen’s AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS, and AGNES AND THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR, both illustrated by Kati Vuorento, have been acquired by Editura Paralela 45 in Romania.

11-years-old Agnes has to move to a small countryside town with her mother. Her parents are divorced, and Agnes doesn’t know anyone from her new hometown. She is not having the best summer of her life. But then something weird happens. Agnes finds an old tombstone that has her name and birthday engraved on it – only the birth year is different!

The series will already be published in 7 countries, but rights are still available in Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, Hungary, the US, UK, Turkey, Poland etc.

Download the English materials for the Agnes series here.

AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS by Tuutikki Tolonen
Middle Grade (8-12 Years)
11-years-old Agnes has to move to a small countryside town with her mother. Her parents are divorced, and Agnes doesn’t know anyone from her new hometown. She is not having the best summer of her life. But then something weird happens. Agnes finds an old tombstone that has her name and birthday engraved on it – only the birth year is different. Whose grave is it? And after the visit to the cemetery she starts to have very mysterious dreams. It feels like someone who lived a long time ago is trying to tell something to her… Is it possible that these two Agneses from different times have some connection?
Rights sold: FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), CZECH REPUBLIC: Portál, s. r. o., DENMARK: ABC Forlag, ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat, GERMANY: Carlsen Verlag, ROMANIA: Editura Paralela 45, RUSSIA: Rosman

Download materials here
AGNES AND THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR by Tuutikki Tolonen
Middle Grade (8-12 Years)
Agnes and her mother have inherited a beautiful old villa, but there seems to be something strange about it. There is a lovely scent of flowers in the air, even though there’s no flowers in the houses. Every morning, the lid of an old piano is found open even though no one has been playing it. More importantly, why can they hear steps on the staircase to the attic?
Rights sold: FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat ROMANIA: Editura Paralela 45

Download materials here
Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, Finland’s only literary journal for children.

Tolonen is currently writing Agnes series, of which the first book “Agnes and the Garden of Dreams” has been nominated for Runeberg Junior Award 2020.
Kati Vuorento is an illustrator living and working in Helsinki, Finland. ”In small details there is an infinite magic. I want my illustrations to stir emotion in the audience. Emphatizing is important to me. In my illustrations I always include approachable characteristics to even the most hardened anti-hero. This is how I mold the characters into personalities with depth and dimension.”

Her known illustrations are for example middle-grade novel Agnes and the Garden of Dreams by Tuutikki Tolonen.

Kati Vuorento


Kati Vuorento is an illustrator living and working in Espoo, Finland: ”In small details there is an infinite magic. I want my illustrations to stir emotion in the audience. Empathizing is important to me. In my illustrations, I always include approachable characteristics to even the most hardened anti-hero. This is how I mold the characters into personalities with depth and dimension.”

She is the illustrator of middle-grade Agnes series by Tuutikki Tolonen that was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

‘Where Did the Animals Go – Travelling Through Time With Lotta and Kasper’ nominated for Finlandia Prize for Children’s and Youth Literature

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‘Where Did the Animals Go – Travelling Through Time With Lotta and Kasper’ nominated for the prestigious Finlandia Prize for Children’s and Youth Literature

We are very excited about the news from this morning! ‘Where Did the Animals Go – Travelling Through Time With Lotta and Kasper’ written by Laura Ertimo and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu has been nominated for the Finlandia Prize in Children and Youth Literature. The original Finnish title is ’Aika matka! Lotta, Kasper ja luontokadon arvoitus’.

The jury states that: “The journey into the enigma of the loss of biodiversity flows smoothly through the playful arrangement of imagery and writing. The text meanders from the smallest small to the greatest of matters, satisfying the thirst for knowledge of all age groups. The expressive illustration walks alongside the text, at times excitedly getting carried away into an independent cartoon adventure where future, present and history unite. The entity is a vivacious cornucopia that induces the reader to do research, to come back to the book and to take effect.”

Download materials from here

WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO – TRAVELLING THROUGH TIME WITH LOTTA AND KASPER
by Laura Ertimo and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu

Aika matka! Lotta, Kasper ja luontokadon arvoitus
Into, 2021, pp. 48

 

Rights sold
FINLAND: Into (orig.)

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

Mari Ahokoivu


Mari Ahokoivu (b. 1984) is a Finnish illustrator and a comics artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly drawing graphic novels and comics for children, including Sanni & Joonas and Lola Olifante.  Ahokoivu loves everything cute and scary. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Author page

Two children’s series continue their success in Denmark: MABEL MERRYWEATHER book 2 rights acquired by ABC Forlag; PRINCESS RASCAL book 3 rights acquired by Gads Forlag

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We are really happy to announce two new deals for children’s books in Denmark!

Danish publisher ABC Forlag has now acquired the second title in the ‘Mabel Merryweather’ series; previously publishing ‘Mabel Merryweather and the Miniature Pirates’, and now to be published ‘Mabel Merryweather and the King of Thieves‘ by a Finnish children’s book author who loves Roald Dahl and crazy stories, Noora Kunnas. The popular illustrator Teemu Juhani stands for the detailed and fun-filled pictures.

That is not all  – Danish publisher Gads Forlag has now acquired all three titles in the Princess Rascal series written by Elina Hirvonen and illustrated by Mervi Lindman. The newest book ‘Princess Rascal and the Quarrel Spell’ comes quickly after the first and second books having been published in the beginning of this summer.

The publisher at Gads says:
“We are very proud here at Gads Børnebøger to be publishing the beautiful series about the Princess Rascal by Elina Hirvonen and Mervi Lindman. The series is a tribute to fantasy and has a quirky, humoristic take on the daily life in a family with small kids. The series is able to handle complex themes in a lovely and uplifting way.” – Trine Bech, Head of Fiction, Gads Børnebøger

Download the whole MABEL MERRYWEATHER series from here

Download the whole PRINCESS RASCAL series from here

 

MABEL MERRYWEATHER is a new Middle Grade series with a twist of mystery!

MABEL MERRYWEATHER AND THE MINIATURE PIRATES (BOOK 1)
by Noora Kunnas, illustrated by Teemu Juhani
Otava 2019, 140pp.

Nick and Lilly’s visit to their rule-loving, child-hating uncle turns into an adventure as the children get to know their exiting, eccentric neighbor: Mabel Merryweather. Mabel and her friends are preparing for a flower arrangement competition, when the town is hit by a jeweler thief. Nick, Lilly and Mabel have their own problems as Mabel’s decorative miniature pirates have come to live and are rummaging through the backyards. And what happened to the main judge of the competition – a pop singer Monika who disappeared in the same day?  Something must be done to bring peace and order back to the town of Dalton.

MABEL MERRYWEATHER AND THE KING OF THIEVES (BOOK 2)
by Noora Kunnas, illustrated by Teemu Juhani
Otava, 2020, 140 pp.

The town of Dalton is celebrating a local children’s poet’s 140th anniversary, and everyone is dressed up as a character from a poem. But amongst the happy people there’s also a gentleman thief who has terrorized art museums all spring. Through many mistakes and misunderstandings Nick and Lilly help the police to catch a thief – and to teach a lesson to a grumpy literary critic.

MABEL MERRYWEATHER AND THE CHEESY MYSTERY (BOOK 3)
by Noora Kunnas, illustrated by Teemu Juhani
Otava 2021, 144 pp.

Mabel Merryweather’s friend Bruno and his goats have arrived from Switzerland to perform at the Dalton cheese festival. This fragrant event has attracted a lot of people to the venue, but for the horror of the townspeople mysterious holes have started to appear on streets and courtyards at night. Who digs them – and why? The rumor spreads that the town is infested by aliens, but Lily, Nick, and the mighty grandmother Mabel Merryweather don’t believe the gossips. With the help of yodeling goats, they dig up the truth.

________________________________________

PRINCESS RASCAL series by Elina Hirvonen, illustrated by Mervi Lindman. The topics of the clever and fun books of the Princess Rascal series arise from the day-to-day challenges of families with children. Busy days can be filled with snappy talk and misunderstandings. But on the other hand, there’s always lots of new ideas, warmth and practical magic around! The series has publishers in 3 languages and is still available in France, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia, Norway, Germany, United States, UK, Japan, China, Taiwan etc.

PRINCESS RASCAL (BOOK 1)
by Elina Hirvonen, illustrated by Mervi Lindman
Tammi 2017, 42 pp.

You would think that Rascal is a just a little girl, but she’s also a princess with many crowns for different purposes: one for Important Thoughts, one for Great Adventures, one for Peaceful Dreams. When Mom gets mad at her, she must find the right crown to calm Mom down.

PRINCESS RASCAL AND THE POTTY WORDS (BOOK 2)
by Elina Hirvonen, illustrated by Mervi Lindman
Tammi 2019, 42 pp.

Princess Rascal starts pre-school. She’s nervous about her new mates and new teacher. Especially nervous she is about going to the toilet. When she uses toilet words in a completely wrong situation, she’s sure that she is the most embarrassing girl in the world. But a solution for the problem can be found in her secret treasure chest.

PRINCESS RASCAL AND THE QUARREL SPELL (BOOK 3)
by Elina Hirvonen, illustrated by Mervi Lindman
Tammi 2017, 44 pp.

Which spell is the best when it seems that the parents do not have enough time for themselves? Resourceful Princess Rascal has a solution to every problem!

When Mom looks like a red-eyed panda and Dad like an angry troll, and they snap at each other without any reason, it’s time for some Rascal spells and Onni’s insights. The solution is the world’s finest KISSING BOOTH.

“You have to go in there to kiss. Then you will  love again. And never quarrel again. And we don’t have to move to Flower’s.”

__________________________________________________

THE FILI GRANTS 

Do you have a perfect Finnish literature project in mind but would need some support for the translation costs?

We are happy to let you know that FILI translation grant application period started on October 1st and ends on November 1st! The grant can cover up to 70% of your Finnish/Finland-Swedish translation project.

Last period, over 100 projects were awarded a grant! Read more from: https://fili.fi/…/finnish-literature-into-other-languages/

PRINCESS RASCAL AND THE QUARREL SPELL
by Elina Hirvonen and Mervi Lindman
Prinsessa Rämäpää ja riitataika
Tammi 2021, 44 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
DENMARK: Gads Forlag

MABEL MERRYWEATHER AND THE KING OF THIEVES
by Noora Kunnas and Teemu Juhani
Salmanterin Terttu ja huijareiden kuningas
Otava 2020, 140 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
DENMARK: ABC Forlag
GERMANY: Mixtvision
POLAND: Znak
RUSSIA: Eksmo

3 new LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES deals!

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Spanish and Catalan rights for THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series now acquired by La Galera!

Norwegian rights for the 3rd title in the series sold to Fontini!

This adorable series will now be published in 24 languages!
We are really happy to announce 3 new deals for THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series today!

The Spanish publisher La Galera has now acquired all 3 titles in the series for publishing both in Spanish and Catalan.
That is not all  – the Norwegian publisher Fontini has acquired the third title in the series.

Download the Full English pdfs for the Little Shop of Nightmares series here

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani has now publishers in 24 languages but is still available in France, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia, United States, UK, Japan, China, Taiwan etc.

The Little Shop of Nightmares is a new early readers’ series about a strange little shop and its employees… who are even stranger. You might need some untickling powder to stop laughing while reading this series!
LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 1: THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani
WSOY 2018, 60pp

When Nina, 9 years, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing. With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 2: THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani
WSOY 2019, 60pp

Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares. But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help vampire Lucas, and find him new teeth from Mr. Krook’s shop. But while they look for the teeth it turns out that other things have gone missing too…

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 3: STICKY THE HORRIBLE SNOWMAN
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani
WSOY 2021, 60pp

The Little Shop of Nightmares is getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm, but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside.

Right sold for LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series:

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

ALBANIA: Muza
BULGARIA: Emas
CATALAN: La Galera
CZECH REPUBLIC: Euromedia
DENMARK: Vild Maskine
ESTONIA: Postimees Publishing
GERMANY: Egmont Schneiderbuch
GREECE: Dioptra
HUNGARY: Cerkabella
ITALY: Terre di Mezzo
KOREA: Gilbutschool
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA: Briedis
NETHERLANDS: De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY: Fontini
POLAND: Znak Emotikon
RUSSIA: KompasGuide
ROMANIA: Editura Univers
SERBIA: Odiseja
SLOVAKIA: Ikar
SWEDEN: Hegas
TURKEY: Epsilon
WORLD SPANISH: La Galera

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Albanian 2-book-deal for ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER series!

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We are very happy to announce that Albanian rights for ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER and ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER ON RED CARPET have been sold to Muza publishing.

Congratulations to the author Kaisa Paasto, illustrator Mari Ahokoivu and the publisher Muza!

ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER was this year also shortlisted for the LukuVarkaus Award, honoring books targeted at readers under 12 years old and the series rights have already been pre-empted in Germany by Loewe Verlag.

Download Full English manuscripts for the Anni series here.

Praise from the German publisher:

“Kaisa Paasto manages to carry out the inner emotional world of shy children, but at the same time effortlessly portrays the heroine likeable and self-confident. What immediately convinced us was the sweet little pig, which reflects the development of the protagonist: At first scared, strange and a bit out of place, in the end an open, lovable friend. What a wonderful story!”
– Laura Hänel, Editor, Loewe Verlag, Germany

Finnish review:

“Anni the Friend Tamer succeeds in showing how a person can be quite different in different environments: at home Anni is happy and confident, at school she’s shy and clumsy. The crucial understanding comes when Anni realizes that instead of taming a friend, she needs to tame her own school self. She needs to learn how to be herself. In this first part of a new children’s novel series there’s plenty of humour both in the text and in the pictures.”
– Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland

 

Book 1: ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER
by Kaisa Paasto

Anni is a 10-year-old girl. When her friend Miisa moves abroad, Anni has a chilling realization: she has never had to find a new friend. Is it too late to learn how to make friends? Obviously no-one can learn a skill this big when they’re 10. Can they?

At home Anni has a different sort of problem: her new pet pig is refusing to be trained. He just wants to stay in his safe place, under the table. Good thing that Anni’s brother has just had a major back operation, as this means he has lots of time to lie in bed and dole out great advice. Anni’s parents are also alright as far as parents go, even if they do laugh a bit too much at their own jokes. So it’s not all too bad – she just needs to become a ‘friend tamer’!

Book 2: ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER ON THE RED CARPET

In the second part Anni wants to do good. Her class is shown a news clip about a hurricane in Brazil. In the clip Anni sees a girl who has a T-shirt, exactly like the one that Anni has in her closet. Anni feels a strong desire to do something to help. With her friend Riia they will make a movie, show it in the library auditorium and raise money for charity work in Brazil.

Book 3: ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER (UNTITLED)

Anni learns how to deal with difficult people. Anni’s family spends the summer in a small island near Turku with Anni’s uncle and his family. Anni has never spent much time with her cousin, but oh boy, he turns out to be a pest. He’s mean and sly and prone to temper tantrums.

BOOK 1: ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER
Anni kaverinkesyttäjä
Tammi, 2020, 116 pp.

BOOK 2:  ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER ON THE RED CARPET
Anni kaverinkesyttäjä punaisella matolla
Tammi, October 2021, 152pp

BOOK 3: ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER #3
Coming in Fall 2022

Rights sold for the series:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)

ALBANIA:
Muza (Books 1-2)
GERMANY:
Loewe Verlag (books 1-3)

Bibliography


Kaisa Paasto

Anni the Friend Tamer in Salty Waters

2022, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Kaisa Paasto

Anni the Friend Tamer on the Red Carpet

2021, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Kaisa Paasto

Anni the Friend Tamer

2020, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Related news

THE GRUMBLEBELLY CAT now acquired in both Poland and Turkey!

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We are beyond excited to announce that THE GRUMBLEBELLY CAT by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani has now two new rights sales!
Polish rights were acquired by Widnokrag and Turkish rights by Dogan Egmont!

Previously, the wonderful allegory has been acquired by Epix Förlag in Sweden, Dressler/Oetinger Verlag in Germany, Antolog in North Macedonia, Tiritamm in Estonia, and Vild Maskine in Denmark.

Rights are still available in the US and UK, Russia, Norway, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Hungary, Netherlands, Romania and more!

GRUMBLEBELLY CAT won the Finnish Literature Export Prize in 2018 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize in 2018 as well. Additionally, the book was nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Prize 2017 and Runeberg Junior Prize 2018.

Download the full illustrated English pdf here!

GRUMBLEBELLY CAT
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

In a barren land, when a little girl meets a gigantic cat that threatens to devour her, she makes it a smart offer. The girl leads the cat across the lands, looking for something to satiate its hunger before it eats her, but they encounter draught, destruction and people who have nothing to eat except their dreams. When the cat gobbles up the girl, she finds something in its belly, something that has made it so hungry…

PRAISE for GRUMBLEBELLY CAT:

A thought-provoking fairytale about greed and its consequences. The structure of the book, blended with contemporary and classical fairy tales elements, makes it valuable for readers of all ages.
– Keriman Güldiken and Elif Bilgin, editors, Dogan Egmont, Turkey

This wise, and incredible story will be published in Poland! Being fans of Finnish literature, we are very excited to share this amazing book  GRUMBLEBELLY CAT with the Polish children.
– Katarzyna Węgierek., Widnokrag publishing house, Poland

A wise and fearless fairytale novel about a cat with an appetite bigger than itself. At the same time it is a story about a girl smaller in size than her soul.
– Aamulehti newspaper

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Karisto (orig.)

DENMARK: Vild Maskine
ESTONIA: Tiritamm
GERMANY: Dressler/Oetinger Verlag
NORTH MACEDONIA: Antolog
POLAND: Widnokrag
SWEDEN: Epix Bokförlag
TURKEY: Dogan Egmont

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

EALA Fall 2021 Children’s Rights Guide is here!

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EALA Fall 2021 Rights Guide is here!

Frankfurt season starts now!

Enter the red carpet with Anni, meet the girls Varpu and Saga and their fragile summer love or get lost in Nordic Horror? The choice is yours!

We have 9 exciting new Children’s and YA titles for you in our Fall 2021 digital catalogue, browse the full list here.

FEATURED NEW TITLES:

Nordic Horror Series by A.R.S. Horkka

When the days are short, the nightmares are long.

Nordic Horror is an anthology series. Each novel introduces a new main character with fast-paced, original, and fun-to-read plots representing different horror subgenres with a Nordic twist. Furthermost, the stories are honest and emotional studies of their protagonists – about the fears that have made them who they are and how they still have to face the biggest of them all in the form of a monster.

The first “season” of seven books has already been acquired by Tammi in Finland, and the first book Cold will be published in 2022.

#1: Cold
I don’t live in the cold, the cold lives in me.

When six-year-old Armas loses his parents in a plane accident, he is sent to a remote orphanage in northern Lapland, where children are called “hot bloods” who need to be “cooled down.”
What people don’t know is that by “cooling down”, children are actually losing their emotions to demons. Now 16-year-old Armas has to get all his emotions back by killing every monster in the process, including the oldest and the most dangerous of them all – the demon queen called the Snow Lady.

 

In the Dark I Can Be Yours
by Salla Simukka

If your love can only be a secret, will it last?Varpu and Saga are two sixteen-year-old girls that are forced to stay in their hometown for the summer. After just one drunken kiss, prejudice and identity are shattered and it’s revealed how behind the facade, everyone hurts and loves the same. In The Dark I Can be Yours is a touching and beautiful title about great emotions in the summer.

The authentic characters are supported by Simukka’s light and airy narrative. Each side of the book tells one girl’s story, which effortlessly melts together into a summer of love, insecurities, and exploration of two young people.

 

Anni the Friend Tamer on The Red Carpet
by Kaisa Paasto, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu

If doing good was easy, everyone would do it!

Anni is inspired to do something good. Her class is shown a news clip about a hurricane in Brazil, and in the clip Anni sees a girl with a t-shirt exactly like one that Anni has in her closet.

She is moved to do something. With her friend Riia she starts to make a movie that will be shown in the library auditorium, to collect money for charity work in Brazil. But everything does not go as planned – the movie is hijacked by “the pink girls”. Anni’s mom is also in a crisis. It doesn’t look like she is going to make money with her blog, but she doesn’t know what else to do with her life. If Anni is not short on something, it’s ideas!

In the second title of the series, Anni learns that doing good is surprisingly easy – and surprisingly hard. The secret might after all be… teamwork.

 

… but that is not all!

We have 6 more exciting new Children’s and YA titles for you in our Fall 2021 digital catalogue, browse the full list here.

It would be so nice to talk about these and other titles with you!
Book an EALA Zoom meeting for the fall season via e-mail: info@ahlbackagency.com

See you soon!

Team EALA,
Elina, Toomas, Ebba and Linda

Now 7 territories for MABEL MERRYWEATHER series!

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We are really excited to let you know that Znak Emotikon from Poland has now pre-empted the rights for Noora Kunnas’ MABEL MERRYWEATHER series!

Natalia Sikora from the Polish publisher Znak Emotikon was really glad and said:

We really loved all the characters from Noora Kunnas’s series, but our absolute favorite is Mabel – this quirky, funny lady! These books have everything the good book for children should have – exciting action, humor, mystery, magic and a bit of… anarchy. We are sure Polish kids will love it as we do!
– Natalia Sikora, Acquisition Editor, Znak Emotikon, Poland on Mabel Merryweather series

MABEL MERRYWEATHER series by Noora Kunnas and illustrations by Teemu Juhani will be published in 7 countries, but is still available in Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, Czechia, Romania, US, Turkey, Latvia etc.

Download the English samples for the Mabel Merryweather series here

 

About the books:

Book 1: Mabel Merryweather and the Miniature Pirates
Otava 2019, 140 pp.
Nick and Lily are spending their summer with uncle Jim, who doesn’t like children. Luckily his neighbor, Mabel Marryweather, can guarantee the their summer will be filled with adventures, mysteries and hilarious encounters, when they start to figure out who is sabotaging the yearly flower arrangement competition.

Book 2: Mabel Merryweather and the King of Thieves
Otava 2020, 140 pp.
The kids are back at uncle Jim’s – and seems like they are attracting trouble. Or is it Mabel Merryweather who makes everything happen? This time the town is terrorized by an art hustler, but luckily Nick and Lily are there to stop him.

Book 3: Mabel Merryweather and the Cheesy Mystery
Otava, May 2021, 140 pp.
Mabel Merryweather’s friend Bruno and his goat have arrived from Switzerland to perform at the Dalton cheese festival. This fragrant event has attracted a lot of people to the venue, but for the horror of the townspeople mysterious holes have started to appear on streets and courtyards at night. Who digs them – and why?

Rights sold for MABEL MERRYWEATHER series:

FINLAND: Otava (orig.)

DENMARK: ABC Forlag
GERMANY: Mixtvision
HUNGARY: Pagony
NETHERLANDS: Veltman Uitgevers
POLAND: Znak Emotikon
RUSSIA: Eksmo

Noora Kunnas


Noora Kunnas (born in 1987) is a children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. She has the knack for making both children and grownups laugh while they’re immersed in her zany books. She loves animals and British humor – she grew up watching Jeeves and Wooster and eating ice cream straight from the container. Kunnas draws her inspiration from the world of Roald Dahl. The trademark of her books is a nutty humor, spiced with quirky characters, as well as the titillating mood of various settings, where anything – and we mean anything – is possible.

Noora Kunnas has published seven children’s books at Otava (2015 – 2021),  and her works have been nominated for the prestigious Tiiliskivi and Lukuvarkaus literary prizes in Finland. She graduated from the Turku Academy of Arts with a degree in film, and she worked in television since.

Author page

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

MONSTER NANNY trilogy to be published in Russia as a bind-up edition!

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We are really excited to let you know that Rosman from Russia has acquired bind-up edition rights for the Tuutikki Tolonen’s Monster Nanny series. All of the three Monster Nanny titles will now also be available in Russia in a single book!

The series has now 31 publishers around the world and a feature film in development by Scott Free Productions.
The rights are still available in the UK, Japan, Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Slovakia, Iceland, Croatia, Israel etc.

If you are interested, download the English materials for the Monster Nanny trilogy by clicking here.

The three books are all illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen.

PRAISE for MONSTER NANNY:
I was fascinated by the characters who were taking matters into their own hands and getting over their difficulties. The setting of Nanny Monster is enough to interest children, and the unique setting inspires courage and wisdom in children. I am sure it is a must-read book for parents who make their children enterprising as well as for their children. – Jang, Sunhee, President of Seosawon, South Korea.

MONSTER NANNY TRILOGY:

Book 1: Monster Nanny
Mörkövahti. Tammi 2015, 300 pp.

The Hellman children must make do with a nanny while their mother is away at a spa. The only problem? Their nanny is a monster.

Grah is hairy, dusty, and doesn’t talk. When the siblings discover that other neighbourhood kids have been left with similar creatures, they start to wonder where the monsters came from. With the parents away, the kids work together (between bickering) to figure out the mystery of the monsters.

Book 2: Monster Route
Mörköreitti. Tammi 2016, 280 pp.

Mimi 6 years, has snuck into the monsters’ underground world after her monster friend Grah. She travels in their tunnels, led by the odd Gate Keeper. Back at home, Koby and Halley put their heads together and manage to get in touch with Mimi. But who is the mysterious and frightening ruler of the monster world?

Book 3: Monster Message
Mörköviesti, Tammi, March 2020, 250 pp.

Hellman kids face new troubles. Mom and Dad want to move into a bigger home on the other side of the city. Mimi’s talking bathrobe feels strangely shrunk, and drops hints of leaving. Monstrologist Runar Kalli is starting to act his age without his rejuvenating root potion – and he’s 122. Something must be done. When Mimi finds crumpled leaves with strange markings in her room, they look like messages from underground, but who’s delivering them and why? And why does the Gatekeeper of the underground world appear in their bathroom?

 

Rights sold for the MONSTER NANNY seires:

FINLAND, Tammi (orig. publisher)

AUSTRALIA, Allen & Unwin
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
DENMARK, Turbine
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
KOREA: Seosawon
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NEW ZEALAND, Allen & Unwin
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
OCEANIA, Allen & Unwin
POLAND, Vesper
PORTUGAL, Asa Editiones/Leya
ROMANIA: Editura Univers SRL
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
UKRAINE: School Publishing House
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
UNITED STATES: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Polish rights pre-empted for LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series!

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We are really excited to let you know that Znak Emotikon in Poland pre-empted the rights for all 3 titles in the LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series!

Natalia Sikora from the Polish publisher Znak Emotikon was really happy and said:

As we all know children like to be scared a bit. Especially when these scary things are funny at the same time. And this is the case of Little Shop of Nightmares. Funny illustrations, hilarious characters, lot of imagination. From now on NO monsters will be found under the bed. Unless the really entertaining ones 😉
– Natalia Sikora, Acquisition Editor, Znak Emotikon, Poland on Little Shop of Nightmares series

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series by Magdalena Hai has now sold to 22 countries but is still available in United States, Iceland, Spain, UK, Japan, Slovenia, China, Croatia, Taiwan etc.

Download the Full English pdfs for the Little Shop of Nightmares series here

 

The Little Shop of Nightmares is a new early readers’ series about a strange little shop and its employees… who are even stranger. You might need some untickling powder to stop laughing while reading this series!

 

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 1: THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

When Nina, 9 years, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing. With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 2: THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares. But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help vampire Lucas, and find him new teeth from Mr. Krook’s shop. But while they look for the teeth it turns out that other things have gone missing too…

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 3: STICKY THE HORRIBLE SNOWMAN
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

The Little Shop of Nightmares is getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm, but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside.

Rights sold for LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series:

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

ALBANIA: Muza
BULGARIA: Emas
CZECH REPUBLIC: Euromedia
DENMARK: Vild Maskine
ESTONIA: Postimees Publishing
GERMANY: Egmont Schneiderbuch
GREECE: Dioptra
HUNGARY: Cerkabella
ITALY: Terre di Mezzo
KOREA: Gilbutschool
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA: Briedis
NETHERLANDS: De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY: Fontini
POLAND: Znak Emotikon
RUSSIA: KompasGuide
ROMANIA: Editura Univers
SERBIA: Odiseja
SLOVAKIA: Ikar
SWEDEN: Hegas
TURKEY: Epsilon

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen’s AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS has won the coveted Lukuvarkaus prize!

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We are very happy to announce that Tuutikki Tolonen’s AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS, illustrated by Kati Vuorento, has won the Lukuvarkaus prize: a unique award to the best children’s book of the previous year, chosen by a jury of children in ages 9-12. A shortlist for the award is picked by an adult pre-jury.

Previous winners have also included Sisterland by Salla Simukka (rights sold in 10 territories) and one of the titles shortlisted this year was Mabel Merryweather and Miniature Pirates by Noora Kunnas (rights sold in 6 territories).

AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS is the first title in the Agnes series. It is written by Tuutikki Tolonen and illustrated by Kati Vuorento.

The series will be published in 6 countries, but rights are still available in Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, Hungary, Romania, the US, UK, Turkey, Poland etc.

Download the English materials for the Agnes series here.


Happy author Tuutikki Tolonen with the jury members (Photo by Aili Arias)

AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS by Tuutikki Tolonen
Middle Grade (8-12 Years)11-years-old Agnes has to move to a small countryside town with her mother. Her parents are divorced, and Agnes doesn’t know anyone from her new hometown. She is not having the best summer of her life. But then something weird happens. Agnes finds an old tombstone that has her name and birthday engraved on it – only the birth year is different. Whose grave is it? And after the visit to the cemetery she starts to have very mysterious dreams. It feels like someone who lived a long time ago is trying to tell something to her… Is it possible that these two Agneses from different times have some connection?
Rights sold: FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), CZECH REPUBLIC: Portál, s. r. o., DENMARK: ABC Forlag, ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat, GERMANY: Carlsen Verlag, RUSSIA: Rosman

Download materials here
AGNES AND THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR by Tuutikki Tolonen
Middle Grade (8-12 Years)Agnes and her mother have inherited a beautiful old villa, but there seems to be something strange about it. There is a lovely scent of flowers in the air, even though there’s no flowers in the houses. Every morning, the lid of an old piano is found open even though no one has been playing it. More importantly, why can they hear steps on the staircase to the attic?
Rights sold: FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat

Download materials here
Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, Finland’s only literary journal for children.

Tolonen is currently writing Agnes series, of which the first book “Agnes and the Garden of Dreams” has been nominated for Runeberg Junior Award 2020.
Kati Vuorento is an illustrator living and working in Helsinki, Finland. ”In small details there is an infinite magic. I want my illustrations to stir emotion in the audience. Emphatizing is important to me. In my illustrations I always include approachable characteristics to even the most hardened anti-hero. This is how I mold the characters into personalities with depth and dimension.”

Her known illustrations are for example middle-grade novel Agnes and the Garden of Dreams by Tuutikki Tolonen.

Rights sold:

FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)

CZECH REPUBLIC: Portál, s. r. o.
DENMARK: ABC Forlag
ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat
GERMANY: Carlsen Verlag
RUSSIA: Rosman

Kati Vuorento


Kati Vuorento is an illustrator living and working in Espoo, Finland: ”In small details there is an infinite magic. I want my illustrations to stir emotion in the audience. Empathizing is important to me. In my illustrations, I always include approachable characteristics to even the most hardened anti-hero. This is how I mold the characters into personalities with depth and dimension.”

She is the illustrator of middle-grade Agnes series by Tuutikki Tolonen that was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Serbian rights sold for MONSTER NANNY! Now it has 31 publishers around the world!

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Serbian rights sold for MONSTER NANNY!
Now it has 31 publishers around the world!
We are really happy to let you know that Serbian publisher Laguna has acquired the first title of Middle-Grade MONSTER NANNY trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen.

The series has now 31 publishers around the world and a feature film in development by Scott Free Productions.
The rights are still available in the UK, Japan, Bulgaria, Greece, Slovakia, Iceland, Croatia, Israel etc.

If you are interested, download the English materials for the Monster Nanny trilogy by clicking here.

The three books are all wonderfully illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen.

SERBIAN PRAISE for MONSTER NANNY:

„Monster Nanny“ is a sweet & surprising book that shows us that children are the best guardians of curiosity, a skill that adults forget about while making money all the time. This novel reminds us of the most important lesson in our lives: imagination is the path to accept diversity and the path to finding home.
-Zoran Penevski, senior children’s editor, Laguna, Serbia
_____________________________________________

MONSTER NANNY TRILOGY:

Book 1: Monster Nanny
Mörkövahti. Tammi 2015, 300 pp.

The Hellman children must make do with a nanny while their mother is away at a spa. The only problem? Their nanny is a monster.

Grah is hairy, dusty, and doesn’t talk. When the siblings discover that other neighbourhood kids have been left with similar creatures, they start to wonder where the monsters came from. With the parents away, the kids work together (between bickering) to figure out the mystery of the monsters.

Book 2: Monster Route
Mörköreitti. Tammi 2016, 280 pp.

Mimi 6 years, has snuck into the monsters’ underground world after her monster friend Grah. She travels in their tunnels, led by the odd Gate Keeper. Back at home, Koby and Halley put their heads together and manage to get in touch with Mimi. But who is the mysterious and frightening ruler of the monster world?

Book 3: Monster Message
Mörköviesti, Tammi, March 2020, 250 pp.

Hellman kids face new troubles. Mom and Dad want to move into a bigger home on the other side of the city. Mimi’s talking bathrobe feels strangely shrunk, and drops hints of leaving. Monstrologist Runar Kalli is starting to act his age without his rejuvenating root potion – and he’s 122. Something must be done. When Mimi finds crumpled leaves with strange markings in her room, they look like messages from underground, but who’s delivering them and why? And why does the Gatekeeper of the underground world appear in their bathroom?

MONSTER NANNY SERIES:

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (orig. publisher)

AUSTRALIA, Allen & Unwin
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
DENMARK, Turbine
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
KOREA: Seosawon
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NEW ZEALAND, Allen & Unwin
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
OCEANIA, Allen & Unwin
POLAND, Vesper
PORTUGAL, Asa Editiones/Leya
ROMANIA: Editura Univers SRL
RUSSIA, Rosman
SERBIA: Laguna
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
UKRAINE: School Publishing House
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
UNITED STATES: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Swedish rights sold for THE GRUMBLEBELLY CAT, MONSTER NANNY rights to Korea

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Korean publisher Seosawon has acquired the Middle Grade MONSTER NANNY trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen.

The series has now already 30 publishers around the world and a feature film in development by Scott Free Productions.
The rights are still available in the UK, Japan, Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Slovakia, Iceland, Croatia, Israel etc.

If you are interested, download the English materials for the Monster Nanny trilogy by clicking here.

The three books are all illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen.

Praise for MONSTER NANNY:
I was fascinated by the characters who were taking matters into their own hands and getting over their difficulties. The setting of Nanny Monster is enough to interest children, and the unique setting inspires courage and wisdom in children. I am sure it is a must-read book for parents who make their children enterprising as well as for their children. – Jang, Sunhee, President of Seosawon, South Korea.

AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN’S CLASSIC FAIRYTALE TO SWEDEN 

GRUMBLEBELLY CAT by Magdalena Hai and Teemu Juhani has now another rights sale! Swedish rights were acquired by Epix Bokförlag!

Previously, the wonderful allegory has been acquired by Dressler/Oetinger Verlag in Germany, Antolog in  North Macedonia, Tiritamm in Estonia, and Vild Maskine in Denmark.

GRUMBLEBELLY CAT won the Finnish Literature Export Prize in 2018 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize in 2018 as well. Additionally the book was nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Prize 2017 and Runeberg Junior Prize 2018.

Download the full illustrated English pdf here!

Praise for GRUMBLEBELLY CAT:
A wise and fearless fairytale novel about a cat with an appetite bigger than itself. At the same time it is a story about a girl smaller in size than her soul.
– Aamulehti newspaper

In a barren land, when a little girl meets a gigantic cat that threatens to devour her, she makes it a smart offer. The girl leads the cat across the lands, looking for something to satiate its hunger before it eats her, but they encounter draught, destruction and people who have nothing to eat except their dreams. When the cat gobbles up the girl, she finds something in its belly, something that has made it so hungry…

_____________________________________________

MONSTER NANNY TRILOGY:

Book 1: Monster Nanny
Mörkövahti. Tammi 2015, 300 pp.

The Hellman children must make do with a nanny while their mother is away at a spa. The only problem? Their nanny is a monster.

Grah is hairy, dusty, and doesn’t talk. When the siblings discover that other neighbourhood kids have been left with similar creatures, they start to wonder where the monsters came from. With the parents away, the kids work together (between bickering) to figure out the mystery of the monsters.

Book 2: Monster Route
Mörköreitti. Tammi 2016, 280 pp.

Mimi 6 years, has snuck into the monsters’ underground world after her monster friend Grah. She travels in their tunnels, led by the odd Gate Keeper. Back at home, Koby and Halley put their heads together and manage to get in touch with Mimi. But who is the mysterious and frightening ruler of the monster world?

Book 3: Monster Message
Mörköviesti, Tammi, March 2020, 250 pp.

Hellman kids face new troubles. Mom and Dad want to move into a bigger home on the other side of the city. Mimi’s talking bathrobe feels strangely shrunk, and drops hints of leaving. Monstrologist Runar Kalli is starting to act his age without his rejuvenating root potion – and he’s 122. Something must be done. When Mimi finds crumpled leaves with strange markings in her room, they look like messages from underground, but who’s delivering them and why? And why does the Gatekeeper of the underground world appear in their bathroom?

MONSTER NANNY
Rights sold:

FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA: Sahinpasic
BRAZIL: DarkSide Books
CATALAN: La Galera
CHINA: Beijing Children and Juvenile Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC: Portál, s. r. o.
DENMARK: Turbine forlaget
ESTONIA: Tiritamm
FILM RIGHTS: SCOTT FREE FILMS
FRANCE: Robert Laffont
GERMANY: Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH & CO. KG.
ITALY: Salani
KOREA: Seosawon
LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto/ Publishing House Nothing Serious
NETHERLANDS: Luitingh-Sijthof
NORWAY: Gyldendal
POLAND: Vesper
PORTUGAL: ASA Editions
ROMANIA: Editura Univers SRL
RUSSIA: Rosman
SPAIN: La Galera
SWEDEN: RABÉN & SJÖGREN
TURKEY: SEV Publishing / Redhouse Kidz
UKRAINE: School Publishing House
UNITED STATES: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
VIETNAM: Nha Nam Publishing

Reading materials:
English edition

GRUMBLEBELLY CAT
Rights sold:

FINLAND: Karisto (orig.)
DENMARK: Vild Maskine
ESTONIA: Tiritamm
GERMANY: Dressler/Oetinger Verlag
NORTH MACEDONIA: Antolog
SWEDEN: Epix Bokförlag

Reading materials:
full illustrated English pdf

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Estonian rights sold for ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH!

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We are very glad to announce that Laura Ertimo and Satu Kontinen’s ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH has an Estonian publisher: Avita!

Avita is the largest educational publisher in Estonia.

Previously the title with amazing maps and stories has been sold to Alfa in Turkey,  AST in Russia and Eurograf in Poland.

Download the Full Finnish pdf and English sample for ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH here

ABOUT THE ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH:

There is a planet where plants plan world domination. Where beasts are good, and trees live for thousands of years, collecting memories in their bark. This enchanted place is Earth.
This book has 10 stories, and 10 maps. They may sound or look like they are out of a fairy-tale, but they are real, true maps of our planet. The Enchanted Planet Earth is a children’s non-fiction book that also engages adults. Through magical maps it teaches about nature, oceans and the history of continents. The stories also provide a context where adults and kids can discuss the environmental issues and how people’s actions affect nature. Through narratives the book explains the real processes that change our planet and make the Earth habitable.

The maps in the book include:

  • Hidden by Earth – Treasure Map
  • Invisible World – Underwater
  • Stormy Weathers – A different climate map
  • Meeting of Trees – The oldest forests and trees
  • Plant Love – Map of Flowers
  • Story of the Kind Wolf – Map of Extinct Animals
  • Travelling Animals – Migration map
  • Fairies and Goblins – Map of the Little Folk
  • Stories of Travel and Travelling Stories – Travel Map
  • Changes – Map of Disappeared Things
  • Visions from outer Space – Small maps of moving continents

Rights sold:

FINLAND (orig.):
Kustantamo S&S

ESTONIA: Avita
POLAND: Eurograf
RUSSIA: AST
TURKEY: Alfa

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

Satu Kontinen


Satu Kontinen (b. 1976) is a graphic designer and illustrator obsessed with flowers. She is known for her detailed ink works as well as creating quirky creatures and imaginary worlds that spark the imagination of kids and adults alike. She has been awarded for designing and illustrating one of the most beautiful books/book covers in Finland (_Vuoden kaunein kirja_ by the Finnish Book Art Committee) in 2008, 2015, 2016 and in 2018. In 2004 she was nominated for the Finlandia Junior Prize and in 2017 she was one of the top 10 finalists in the prestigious Rudolf Koivu illustration awards. In 2020 she was given a Merit Award in the Three x Three International Illustration Awards.

In her free time Satu enjoys designing floral fabrics and writing children's and YA fiction in secrecy. Maybe some day she will show them to a publisher.

Author page

Hungarian rights sold for LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 3!

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We are over the moon to announce that Hungarian rights for Magdalena Hai and Teemu Juhani’s LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 3 have been sold to Cerkabella!

This year, the rights for the series have been sold to Muza in Albania, Ikar in Slovakia,  Gilbutschool in Korea, Dioptra in Greece, Emas in Bulgaria, Odiseja in Serbia and Briedis in Lithuania, altogether the series has sold to 21 countries!

The wonderful younger middle-grade series illustrated by Teemu Juhani has already sold to 20 countries, but rights are still available in Poland, France, United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Slovenia, China, etc.

Download the Full English pdfs for all 3 titles in the series here.

Enchanting series, well-written, with funny illustrations, stimulates children’s imagination.
A delightful blend of fantasy and humor. The amazing illustrations in each page feature dynamic characters and unexpected goosebumps!
– Lindy Galatis, Editorial Director, Dioptra, Greece

We were captivated by the hilarious and heartwarming stories of the main characters and monsters. Many children will gain confidence and energy through Nina’s adventures in solving problems actively.
–  Gilbutschool Publishers, Korea

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Nina is a is a clever, 9-year-old girl who goes to work in the Little Shop of Nightmares. During the course of the trilogy, she has to solve a mystery with tickling powder, find the lost teeth of a vampire and discover the reason why suddenly it just doesn’t stop snowing. The Little Shop of Nightmares is a mystery full of fascinating and fun characters that make young readers both wonder and laugh!

 #1  THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
When Nina, 9 years old, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is
greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing.
With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help
him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus
Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

 #2  MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares.
But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help
vampire Lucas to find his teeth from Mr. Kook’s shop. But for some reason all the vampire
teeth seem to have disappeared. It seems like somebody has hidden them on purpose…

 #3  STICKY THE TERRIBLE SNOWMAN
Same awesome monsters. New blizzardy trouble. The Little Shop of Nightmares is
getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm,
but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps
getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside.

Rights sold

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

ALBANIA:
Muza
BULGARIA:
Emas
CZECH REPUBLIC:
Euromedia
DENMARK:
Vild Maskine
ESTONIA:
Postimees Publishing
GERMANY:
Egmont Schneiderbuch
GREECE:
Dioptra
HUNGARY:
Cerkabella
ITALY:
Terre di Mezzo
KOREA:
Gilbutschool
LATVIA:
Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA:
Briedis
NETHERLANDS:
De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY:
Fontini
RUSSIA:
KompasGuide
ROMANIA:
Editura Univers
SERBIA:
Odiseja
SLOVAKIA:
Ikar
SWEDEN:
Hegas
TURKEY:
Epsilon

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Romanian rights sold for MONSTER NANNY trilogy!

Posted on

We are really happy to announce that Univers in Romania has now acquired all 3 titles of the MONSTER NANNY trilogy!

The series already has 29 publishers around the world and a feature film is in development by Scott Free Productions.
The rights are still available in the UK, Bulgaria, Greece, Japan, Serbia, Slovakia, Iceland, Korea, Croatia, Israel etc

If you are interested, download the English materials for the Monster Nanny trilogy by clicking here.

The three books are all illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen.
MONSTER NANNY TRILOGY:

Book 1: Monster Nanny
Mörkövahti. Tammi 2015, 300 pp.

The Hellman children must make do with a nanny while their mother is away at a spa. The only problem? Their nanny is a monster.

Grah is hairy, dusty, and doesn’t talk. When the siblings discover that other neighborhood kids have been left with similar creatures, they start to wonder where the monsters came from. With the parents away, the kids work together (between bickering) to figure out the mystery of the monsters.

Book 2: Monster Route
Mörköreitti. Tammi 2016, 280 pp.

Mimi 6 years, has snuck into the monsters’ underground world after her monster friend Grah. She travels in their tunnels, led by the odd Gate Keeper. Back at home, Koby and Halley put their heads together and manage to get in touch with Mimi. But who is the mysterious and frightening ruler of the monster world?

Book 3: Monster Message
Mörköviesti, Tammi, March 2020, 250 pp.

Hellman kids face new troubles. Mom and Dad want to move into a bigger home on the other side of the city. Mimi’s talking bathrobe feels strangely shrunk, and drops hints of leaving. Monstrologist Runar Kalli is starting to act his age without his rejuvenating root potion – and he’s 122. Something must be done. When Mimi finds crumpled leaves with strange markings in her room, they look like messages from underground, but who’s delivering them and why? And why does the Gatekeeper of the underground world appear in their bathroom?

 

PS! Only 2 days left to apply to FILI translation grants from Finnish and Finland Swedish!

Apply now:
The unique translation grant system in Finland gives you an opportunity to finance your translation costs up to 70%. If you are translating picture books – you can also apply to a printing grant of up to 1000€, read more here:  https://fili.fi/en/grants/

The Spring application period started on 1st of April and will be closed on 1st of May.

Please note that only translations from Finnish or Finnish-Swedish to foreign languages will be supported.

Translators:
We will advise you to find the best possible translators, and in some cases, you can also translate from English.  Find more information about translators here: https://kaantopiiri.fi/en/search-translators/

MONSTER NANNY SERIES:

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (orig. publisher)

AUSTRALIA, Allen & Unwin
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
DENMARK, Turbine
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NEW ZEALAND, Allen & Unwin
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
OCEANIA, Allen & Unwin
POLAND, Vesper
PORTUGAL, Asa Editiones/Leya
ROMANIA: Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
UKRAINE: School Publishing House
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
UNITED STATES: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Estonian rights sold for THE GRUMBLEBELLY CAT, Lithuanian for MONSTER ROUTE!

Posted on
Magdalena Hai’s the GRUMBLEBELLY CAT has now another right sale! Estonian rights were acquired by Tiritamm!

Previously, the wonderful allegory has been acquired by Dressler/Oetinger Verlag in Germany, Antolog in  North Macedonia and Vild Maskine in Denmark.

Download the full illustrated English pdf here!

In a barren land, when a little girl meets a gigantic cat that threatens to devour her, she makes it a smart offer. The girl leads the cat across the lands, looking for something to satiate its hunger before it eats her, but they encounter draught, destruction and people who have nothing to eat except their dreams. When the cat gobbles up the girl, she finds something in its belly, something that has made it so hungry…

PRAISE for GRUMBLEBELLY CAT:
A wise and fearless fairytale novel about a cat with an appetite bigger than itself. At the same time it is a story about a girl smaller in size than her soul.
– Aamulehti newspaper

That is not all!

Lithuanian publisher Nieko Rimto is continuing Tuutikki Tolonen’s middlegrade MONSTER NANNY series and has now acquired the second title in the series – MONSTER ROUTE!

The series already has 29 publishers around the world and a feature film in development by Scott Free Productions.
The rights are still available in Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Japan, Serbia, Slovakia, Iceland, Korea, Croatia, Israel etcIf you are interested, download the English materials for the Monster Nanny trilogy by clicking here.

The three books are all illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen.
MONSTER NANNY TRILOGY:

Book 1: Monster Nanny
Mörkövahti. Tammi 2015, 300 pp.

The Hellman children must make do with a nanny while their mother is away at a spa. The only problem? Their nanny is a monster.

Grah is hairy, dusty, and doesn’t talk. When the siblings discover that other neighborhood kids have been left with similar creatures, they start to wonder where the monsters came from. With the parents away, the kids work together (between bickering) to figure out the mystery of the monsters.
Book 2: Monster Route
Mörköreitti. Tammi 2016, 280 pp.

Mimi 6 years, has snuck into the monsters’ underground world after her monster friend Grah. She travels in their tunnels, led by the odd Gate Keeper. Back at home, Koby and Halley put their heads together and manage to get in touch with Mimi. But who is the mysterious and frightening ruler of the monster world?

Book 3: Monster Message
Mörköviesti, Tammi, March 2020, 250 pp.

Hellman kids face new troubles. Mom and Dad want to move into a bigger home on the other side of the city. Mimi’s talking bathrobe feels strangely shrunk, and drops hints of leaving. Monstrologist Runar Kalli is starting to act his age without his rejuvenating root potion – and he’s 122. Something must be done. When Mimi finds crumpled leaves with strange markings in her room, they look like messages from underground, but who’s delivering them and why? And why does the Gatekeeper of the underground world appear in their bathroom?

 

PS! Only 9 days left to apply to FILI translation grants from Finnish and Finland Swedish!

Apply now:
The unique translation grant system in Finland gives you an opportunity to finance your translation costs up to 70%. If you are translating picture books – you can also apply to a printing grant of up to 1000€, read more here:  https://fili.fi/en/grants/

The Spring application period started on 1st of April and will be closed on 1st of May.

Please note that only translations from Finnish or Finnish-Swedish to foreign languages will be supported.

Translators:
We will advise you to find the best possible translators, and in some cases, you can also translate from English.  Find more information about translators here: https://kaantopiiri.fi/en/search-translators/

GRUMBLEBELLY CAT
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Karisto (orig.)

DENMARK: Vild Maskine
ESTONIA: Tiritamm
GERMANY: Dressler/Oetinger Verlag
NORTH MACEDONIA: Antolog

Reading materials:
full illustrated English pdf

 

MONSTER NANNY SERIES:

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (orig. publisher)

AUSTRALIA, Allen & Unwin
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
DENMARK, Turbine
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NEW ZEALAND, Allen & Unwin
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
OCEANIA, Allen & Unwin
POLAND, Vesper
PORTUGAL, Asa Editiones/Leya
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
UKRAINE: School Publishing House
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
UNITED STATES: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

North Macedonian rights sold for THE GRUMBLEBELLY CAT!

Posted on

Magdalena Hai’s THE GRUMBLEBELLY CAT is a classical fairytale about a very contemporary subject that has detailed, monochrome illustrations by Teemu Juhani adding another layer to the story.

We are glad to announce that the North Macedonian rights for the title have now been sold to Antolog!
Previously, the title has been acquired by Vild Maskine in Denmark, and Dressler/Oetinger Verlag in Germany.

Download the full illustrated English pdf here!

In a barren land, when a little girl meets a gigantic cat that threatens to devour her, she makes it a smart offer. The girl leads the cat across the lands, looking for something to satiate its hunger before it eats her, but they encounter draught, destruction and people who have nothing to eat except their dreams. When the cat gobbles up the girl, she finds something in its belly, something that has made it so hungry…

THE GRUMBLEBELLY CAT won the Finnish Literature Export Prize in 2018 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize in 2018 as well. Additionally, the book was nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Prize 2017 and Runeberg Junior Prize 2018.

PRAISE for GRUMBLEBELLY CAT:
A wise and fearless fairytale novel about a cat with an appetite bigger than itself. At the same time it is a story about a girl smaller in size than her soul.
– Aamulehti newspaper

A balanced, artistic fairytale, warmly recommended for anyone up from 4 years.
– Kosmoskynä magazine

Magdalena Hai’s strength is the assured handling of the wonky, absurd world. She carries the story through strange landscapes where everything is possible.
– Vakka newspaper

PS! Only 2 weeks left to apply to FILI translation grants from Finnish and Finland Swedish!

Apply now:
The unique translation grant system in Finland gives you an opportunity to finance your translation costs up to 70%. If you are translating picture books – you can also apply to a printing grant of up to 1000€, read more here:  https://fili.fi/en/grants/

The Spring application period started on 1st of April and will be closed on 1st of May.

Please note that only translations from Finnish or Finnish-Swedish to foreign languages will be supported.

Translators:
We will advise you to find the best possible translators, and in some cases, you can also translate from English.  Find more information about translators here: https://kaantopiiri.fi/en/search-translators/

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Karisto (orig.)

DENMARK: Vild Maskine
GERMANY: Dressler/Oetinger Verlag
NORTH MACEDONIA: Antolog

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Albanian rights sold for LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series!

Posted on

We are extremely happy to let you know that the Little Shop of Nightmares series is now sold to 21 territories – the latest addition to the publishers’ family is Muza from Albania!

The wonderful younger middle-grade series illustrated by Teemu Juhani has already sold to 21 countries, but rights are still available in Poland, France, United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Slovenia, China, etc.

Download the Full English pdfs for all 3 titles in the series here.

Enchanting series, well-written, with funny illustrations, stimulates children’s imagination.
A delightful blend of fantasy and humor. The amazing illustrations in each page feature dynamic characters and unexpected goosebumps!
– Lindy Galatis, Editorial Director, Dioptra, Greece

 

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Nina is a is a clever, 9-year-old girl who goes to work in the Little Shop of Nightmares. During the course of the trilogy, she has to solve a mystery with tickling powder, find the lost teeth of a vampire and discover the reason why suddenly it just doesn’t stop snowing. The Little Shop of Nightmares is a mystery full of fascinating and fun characters that make young readers both wonder and laugh!

 #1  THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
When Nina, 9 years old, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is
greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing.
With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help
him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus
Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

 #2  MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares.
But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help
vampire Lucas to find his teeth from Mr. Kook’s shop. But for some reason all the vampire
teeth seem to have disappeared. It seems like somebody has hidden them on purpose…

 #3  STICKY THE TERRIBLE SNOWMAN
Same awesome monsters. New blizzardy trouble. The Little Shop of Nightmares is
getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm,
but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps
getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside

Rights sold

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

ALBANIA:
Muza
BULGARIA:
Emas
CZECH REPUBLIC:
Euromedia
DENMARK:
Vild Maskine
ESTONIA:
Postimees Publishing
GERMANY:
Egmont Schneiderbuch
GREECE:
Dioptra
HUNGARY:
Cerkabella
ITALY:
Terre di Mezzo
KOREA:
Gilbutschool
LATVIA:
Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA:
Briedis
NETHERLANDS:
De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY:
Fontini
RUSSIA:
KompasGuide
ROMANIA:
Editura Univers
SERBIA:
Odiseja
SLOVAKIA:
Ikar
SWEDEN:
Hegas
TURKEY:
Epsilon

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Russian rights sold for MISS SWIFT’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL HOUSE

Posted on

We are really glad to let you know that one of the TOP40 publishers in the World – Eksmo – has acquired the Russian rights for MISS SWIFT’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL HOUSE.

Here’s what the Russian publisher said:

“We decided with one voice to purchase the rights to the book MISS SWIFT’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL HOUSE by Magdalena Hai. An unusual plot, intriguing secrets, a very important message of the story itself, amazing and stylish illustrations – all this immediately made it possible to understand that the book would fit perfectly into our portfolio. We were very touched by this story.”
– Darya Bozhko, Foreign Rights Manager, Children’s Books Department, EKSMO Publishing House, Russia

Download the English sample and synopsis for MISS SWIFT here!
Previously, the rights have also been acquired by Grada in the Czech Republic.

 

MISS SWIFT’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL HOUSE
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

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

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Otava (orig.)

CZECH REPUBLIC: Grada
RUSSIA: Eksmo

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

HILJA-series sold to RUSSIA!

Posted on

We have very exciting news today! Russian rights for all 5 titles of Hilja-series have now been sold to Russian publisher Strecoza!

This wonderful series written by Heidi Viherjuuri and illustrated by Nadja Sarell has previously been sold to Estonia and Germany.

Strecoza were really happy to introduce this new character to Russian children:

It is always so curious and fun to get a look at the big families somewhere in other countries! Do they have the same problems and how do they act in different everyday situations? Wonderfully funny and cozy stories about the most stubborn little girl who does not like boredom! A splendid mix of full-page illustrations and small-format pictures! You won’t be bored, for sure!
– Larisa Mavrina, chief editor of Strecoza publishing house, Russia

Download the English materials for the Hilja-series here.

Read more about the titles, author and illustrator below!

 

HILJA-SERIES
by Heidi Viherjuuri, illustrated by Nadja Sarell

Meet Hilja, an energetic and curious little girl, and her three granny friends! For the fans of Astrid Lindgren!

1st book, Hilja’s Summer in The Green House: Hilja is 7 years old, and she loves the summer! There’s nothing better than the freedom to climb trees, run around, go fishing and make new friends. Prone to adventures, she also gets a chance to catch a thief!

2nd book, Hello, Hilja here: Hilja is starting the first grade. Things are going well: she has practiced reading with the cows at the farm, and new friends are nice. But Hilja’s big mouth gets her into troubles every now and then.

3rd book, Adventure calls, Hilja: The long-awaited fall break is here. Hilja and the neighborhood grannies all squeeze into a tiny car and take a trip to the big city. The city is full of things to do, but are the grannies taking care of Hilja – or the other way around?

4th book, Hilja and the operation Christmas magic Hilja’s sister Veini claims that Christmas is just a publicity trick, but Hilja decides to prove that Christmas is real and magical. A secret operation begins

5th book, Hilja and the Perfect Winter Day Snowball fights, skiing trips, ice-fishing competition and other winter adventures become so wild that Mom needs to put an end to it. But Hilja knows how to make even the most boring day fun!

 

Don’t forget to apply for FILI Grants for translations from Finnish/Finland Swedish!

Apply now:
The Spring application period started on 1st of April and will be closed on 1st of May.
Please note that only translations from Finnish or Finnish-Swedish to foreign languages will be supported.

The unique translation grant system in Finland gives you an opportunity to finance your translation costs up to 70% and even cover part of your printing costs – read more here:  https://fili.fi/en/grants/

Translators:
We will advise you to find the best possible translators, and in some cases, you can also translate from English.  Find more information about translators here: https://kaantopiiri.fi/en/search-translators/

RIGHTS SOLD:

FINLAND: Mäkelä (orig.)

ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat
GERMANY: WooW Books
RUSSIA: Strecoza

Heidi Viherjuuri


Heidi Viherjuuri lives in Cologne, Germany, where she writes about things big and small and also everyday life situations. She loves green tea, weekdays, history, traveling by train and having silly laughs with her son. Heidi´s works have rich language and are straight-to-the-point at the same time and one of her favorite books is the Finnish thesaurus.

Author page Author webpageAuthor Facebook

Nadja Sarell


Nadja Sarell is an illustrator living in Helsinki, Finland. She graduated with MA in Dance from Theatre Academy Helsinki. Soon after that she moved to a small town in North Wales to study children’s book illustration. She graduated from North Wales School of Art and Design with BA in Illustration for Children’s Publishing in 2004.

Since then she has worked as a freelance illustrator for children’s publishing in Finland and abroad. She loves to teach art, illustration and dance for both children and adults. She is also passionate about surface pattern design and enjoys creating charismatic, expressive book characters.
If Nadja was an animal, she would be a cat living in an old mansion with a large fireplace and a comfy sofa. Her favourite things are her family, music, dancing, black coffee and chocolate.

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

German 3-book deal for ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER series

Posted on

“Shy people of the world, unite!” We are very happy to announce that German rights for ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER and the next two books in the series have been sold to Loewe Verlag in a pre-empt. These are the first foreign rights sales to this new book series. Congratulations to author Kaisa Paasto!

Finnish author Kaisa Paasto and her debut ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER have been shortlisted for the LukuVarkaus Award, honouring books targeted at readers under 12 years old. The winner will be announced in June.

Praise from the German publisher:

“Kaisa Paasto manages to carry out the inner emotional world of shy children, but at the same time effortlessly portrays the heroine likeable and self-confident. What immediately convinced us was the sweet little pig, which reflects the development of the protagonist: At first scared, strange and a bit out of place, in the end an open, lovable friend. What a wonderful story!“
– Laura Hänel, Editor, Loewe Verlag

Review:

“Anni the Friend Tamer succeeds in showing how a person can be quite different in different environments: at home Anni is happy and confident, at school she’s shy and clumsy. The crucial understanding comes when Anni realizes that instead of taming a friend, she needs to tame her own school self. She needs to learn how to be herself. In this first part of a new children’s novel series there’s plenty of humour both in the text and in the pictures.
– Helsingin Sanomat

Download Full English manuscript here.

Book 1: ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER
by Kaisa Paasto

Anni is a 10-year-old girl. When her friend Miisa moves abroad, Anni has a chilling realization: she has never had to find a new friend. Is it too late to learn how to make friends? Obviously no-one can learn a skill this big when they’re 10. Can they?

At home Anni has a different sort of problem: her new pet pig is refusing to be trained. He just wants to stay in his safe place, under the table. Good thing that Anni’s brother has just had a major back operation, as this means he has lots of time to lie in bed and dole out great advice. Anni’s parents are also alright as far as parents go, even if they do laugh a bit too much at their own jokes. So it’s not all too bad – she just needs to become a ‘friend tamer’!

Book 2: ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER ON THE RED CARPET

In the second part Anni wants to do good. Her class is shown a news clip about a hurricane in Brazil. In the clip Anni sees a girl who has a T-shirt, exactly like the one that Anni has in her closet. Anni feels a strong desire to do something to help. With her friend Riia they will make a movie, show it in the library auditorium and raise money for charity work in Brazil.

Book 3: ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER (UNTITLED)

Anni learns how to deal with difficult people. Anni’s family spends the summer in a small island near Turku with Anni’s uncle and his family. Anni has never spent much time with her cousin, but oh boy, he turns out to be a pest. He’s mean and sly and prone to temper tantrums.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Kaisa Paasto

Kaisa Paasto (born 1979) spent her childhood in the north of Finland and now lives in Espoo with her husband, two children and several pets. But sadly, no pigs.

Kaisa has a Master’s Degree in Comparative Literature, and she has previously worked as translator, audiovisual translator and entrepreneur. She is now working as a marketing content specialist. For the joy of her publishing editor, she herself has also done some work as a publishing editor.

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)

GERMANY: Loewe Verlag

Bibliography


Kaisa Paasto

Anni the Friend Tamer in Salty Waters

2022, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Kaisa Paasto

Anni the Friend Tamer on the Red Carpet

2021, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Kaisa Paasto

Anni the Friend Tamer

2020, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Related news

Now 20 publishers worldwide for the LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES!

Posted on
We are over the moon to announce that Slovak rights for Magdalena Hai’s LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series have been sold to IKAR!

This year, the rights have been sold also to Gilbutschool in Korea, Dioptra in Greece, Emas in Bulgaria, Odiseja in Serbia and Briedis in Lithuania, altogether the series has sold to 20 countries!

What a milestone!

SLOVAK PRAISE:

The book trilogy by the Finnish duo M. Hai and T. Juhani is full of sincere laughter; natural comic book rhythm; incredibly fantastic, a bit scary adventure; and unique characters that readers will love immediately even without reading the story (visualization is simply magnificent!).
– Lucia Hlubenova, Editor-in-chief for children’s literature, IKAR,  Slovakia

The wonderful younger middle-grade series illustrated by Teemu Juhani has already sold to 20 countries, but rights are still available in Poland, France, United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Slovenia, China, etc.

Download the Full English pdfs for all 3 titles in the series here.

We were captivated by the hilarious and heartwarming stories of the main characters and monsters. Many children will gain confidence and energy through Nina’s adventures in solving problems actively.
–  Gilbutschool Publishers, Korea

Enchanting series, well-written, with funny illustrations, stimulates children’s imagination.
A delightful blend of fantasy and humor. The amazing illustrations in each page feature dynamic characters and unexpected goosebumps!
– Lindy Galatis, Editorial Director, Dioptra, Greece

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Nina is a is a clever, 9-year-old girl who goes to work in the Little Shop of Nightmares. During the course of the trilogy, she has to solve a mystery with tickling powder, find the lost teeth of a vampire and discover the reason why suddenly it just doesn’t stop snowing. The Little Shop of Nightmares is a mystery full of fascinating and fun characters that make young readers both wonder and laugh!

 #1  THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
When Nina, 9 years old, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is
greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing.
With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help
him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus
Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

 #2  MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares.
But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help
vampire Lucas to find his teeth from Mr. Kook’s shop. But for some reason all the vampire
teeth seem to have disappeared. It seems like somebody has hidden them on purpose…

 #3  STICKY THE TERRIBLE SNOWMAN
Same awesome monsters. New blizzardy trouble. The Little Shop of Nightmares is
getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm,
but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps
getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

Author Magdalena Hai is a lover of cross genre fiction and all things strange, and her fiction often combines elements of sci-fi, fantasy and horror. Besides writing Hai teaches writing and is an active member and editor in the publishing co-operative Osuuskumma.

Illustrator Teemu Juhani is Finnish illustrator, comic artist and graphic designer currently based in London, UK. Born and raised in a land of snow and northern lights, he grew up reading comics, holding pencil in his hand and dreaming of superhuman powers. Teemu has studied graphic design and illustration at Karelia University of Applied Sciences in Finland and Academie Minerva in the Netherlands. Currently he’s working as a freelance illustrator and designer and creating his first children’s book and graphic nove

Rights sold

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

BULGARIA:
Emas
CZECH REPUBLIC:
Euromedia
DENMARK:
Vild Maskine
ESTONIA:
Postimees Publishing
GERMANY:
Egmont Schneiderbuch
GREECE:
Dioptra
HUNGARY:
Cerkabella
ITALY:
Terre di Mezzo
KOREA:
Gilbutschool
LATVIA:
Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA:
Briedis
NETHERLANDS:
De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY:
Fontini
RUSSIA:
KompasGuide
ROMANIA:
Editura Univers
SERBIA:
Odiseja
SLOVAKIA:
IKAR
SWEDEN:
Hegas
TURKEY:
Epsilon

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Grumblebelly Cat sold to Denmark

Posted on

We are proud to share the news that the rights of Grumblebelly Cat by Magdalena Hai and Teemu Juhani have been sold to Vild Maskine in Denmark.

This author duo is better known for their bestselling series “The Little Shop of Nightmares”, which has been sold to 19 countries so far. The Grumblebelly Cat won the Finnish Literature Export Prize in 2018 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize in 2018 as well. Additionally the book was nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Prize 2017 and Runeberg Junior Prize 2018.

 

Grumblebelly Cat
Karisto 2018, 46 pp.

In a barren land, when a little girl meets a gigantic cat that threatens to devour her, she makes it a smart offer. The girl leads the cat across the lands, looking for something to satiate its hunger before it eats her, but they encounter drought, destruction and people who have nothing to eat except their dreams. When the cat gobbles up the girl, she finds something in its belly, something that has made it so hungry…

The Grumblebelly Cat is a classical fairytale about a contemporary subject. The detailed, monochrome illustrations by Teemu Juhani add another layer in the story.

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Karisto (orig.)
DENMARK: Vild Maskine
GERMANY: Dressler/Oetinger Verlag

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Mabel Merryweather and the Miniature Pirates sold in the Netherlands

Posted on

We are excited to announce that the Dutch rights to Mabel Merryweather and the Miniature Pirates written by Noora Kunnas and illustrated by Teemu Juhani, have been sold to Veltman Uitgevers.

“When I first read ‘Mabel Merryweather’ I immediately loved the funny, adventurous story. Dutch children will love the surprising characters, and the amazing illustrations. I look forward to bringing this book to the Netherlands!” – Saskia Kalter, Acquiring Editor, Veltman Uitgevers, Netherlands

The Mabel Merryweather series centers around siblings Nick and Lilly who are sent to the summery village of Dalton, while their parents are traveling. There they meet a friendly eccentric neighbor granny Mabel Merryweather and the summer adventures begin!

 

About the books:

Book 1: Mabel Merryweather and the Miniature Pirates
Otava 2019, 140 pp.
Nick and Lily are spending their summer with uncle Jim, who doesn’t like children. Luckily his neighbor, Mabel Marryweather, can guarantee the their summer will be filled with adventures, mysteries and hilarious encounters, when they start to figure out who is sabotaging the yearly flower arrangement competition.

Book 2: Mabel Merryweather and the King of Thieves
Otava 2020, 140 pp.
The kids are back at uncle Jim’s – and seems like they are attracting trouble. Or is it Mabel Merryweather who makes everything happen? This time the town is terrorized by an art hustler, but luckily Nick and Lily are there to stop him.

Book 3: Mabel Merrywethr and the Cheesy Mystery
Otava, May 2021, 140 pp.
Mabel Merryweather’s friend Bruno and his goat have arrived from Switzerland to perform at the Dalton cheese festival. This fragrant event has attracted a lot of people to the venue, but for the horror of the townspeople mysterious holes have started to appear on streets and courtyards at night. Who digs them – and why?

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
DENMARK: ABC Forlag
GERMANY: Mixtvision
HUNGARY: Pagony
NETHERLANDS: Veltman Uitgevers
RUSSIA: Eksmo

Noora Kunnas


Noora Kunnas (born in 1987) is a children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. She has the knack for making both children and grownups laugh while they’re immersed in her zany books. She loves animals and British humor – she grew up watching Jeeves and Wooster and eating ice cream straight from the container. Kunnas draws her inspiration from the world of Roald Dahl. The trademark of her books is a nutty humor, spiced with quirky characters, as well as the titillating mood of various settings, where anything – and we mean anything – is possible.

Noora Kunnas has published seven children’s books at Otava (2015 – 2021),  and her works have been nominated for the prestigious Tiiliskivi and Lukuvarkaus literary prizes in Finland. She graduated from the Turku Academy of Arts with a degree in film, and she worked in television since.

Author page

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Announcing a Latvian deal for LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 2!

Posted on

We are very happy to announce that Latvian rights for Magdalena Hai’s LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 2: MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH  has been sold to Latvijas Mediji!
This year, the rights have been sold also to Gilbutschool in Korea, Dioptra in Greece, Emas in Bulgaria, Odiseja in Serbia and Briedis in Lithuania, altogether the series has sold to 19 countries!

LATVIAN PRAISE:

The story and illustrations are bursting with charm and whimsy, portraying a genuine friendship between characters who all have their edge and would be outcasts in many other tales. “The Mystery of the Missing Teeth” provides a fun and thrilling time for Nina and her friends, as well as the reader.

– Liva Kukle, editor, Latvijas Mediji, Latvia

The wonderful younger middle-grade series illustrated by Teemu Juhani has already sold to 19 countries, but rights are still available in Poland, France, United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Slovenia, China, etc.

Download the Full English pdfs for all 3 titles in the series here.

We were captivated by the hilarious and heartwarming stories of the main characters and monsters. Many children will gain confidence and energy through Nina’s adventures in solving problems actively.
–  Gilbutschool Publishers, Korea

Enchanting series, well-written, with funny illustrations, stimulates children’s imagination.
A delightful blend of fantasy and humor. The amazing illustrations in each page feature dynamic characters and unexpected goosebumps!
– Lindy Galatis, Editorial Director, Dioptra, Greece

 

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Nina is a is a clever, 9-year-old girl who goes to work in the Little Shop of Nightmares. During the course of the trilogy, she has to solve a mystery with tickling powder, find the lost teeth of a vampire and discover the reason why suddenly it just doesn’t stop snowing. The Little Shop of Nightmares is a mystery full of fascinating and fun characters that make young readers both wonder and laugh!

 #1  THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
When Nina, 9 years old, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is
greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing.
With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help
him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus
Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

 #2  MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares.
But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help
vampire Lucas to find his teeth from Mr. Kook’s shop. But for some reason all the vampire
teeth seem to have disappeared. It seems like somebody has hidden them on purpose…

 #3  STICKY THE TERRIBLE SNOWMAN
Same awesome monsters. New blizzardy trouble. The Little Shop of Nightmares is
getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm,
but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps
getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside.

Rights sold

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

BULGARIA:
Emas
CZECH REPUBLIC:
Euromedia
DENMARK:
Vild Maskine
ESTONIA:
Postimees Publishing
GERMANY:
Egmont Schneiderbuch
GREECE:
Dioptra
HUNGARY:
Cerkabella
ITALY:
Terre di Mezzo
KOREA:
Gilbutschool
LATVIA:
Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA:
Briedis
NETHERLANDS:
De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY:
Fontini
RUSSIA:
KompasGuide
ROMANIA:
Editura Univers
SERBIA:
Odiseja
SWEDEN:
Hegas
TURKEY:
Epsilon

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Mabel Merryweather series Russian rights pre-empted by Eksmo!

Posted on

We are extremely happy to announce that the Russian rights for all 3 titles in the Mabel Merryweather series written by Noora Kunnas and illustrated by Teemu Juhani, have now been acquired by the largest publisher in Russia, Eksmo.

The Eksmo-AST publishing group is among the top 40 largest publishing houses in the world.

The Mabel Merryweather series centers around grade-schoolers Nick and Lilly who are sent to the summery village of Dalton, while their parents are traveling.
They meet a friendly eccentric neighbor granny Mabel Merryweather and the summer adventures begin! The series is illustrated by very talented Teemu Juhani (also illustrator of Little Shop of Nightmares series).

Download the English sample and synopsis for the first 2 titles here.

As soon as we saw the covers, illustrations and read reviews, we immediately fell in love with these stories! A detective mystery, magic, dynamic plot, humor, attractive characters, and beautiful illustrations by Teemu Juhani (whose works are already very loved by our readers) – all this helped us to make the quickest decision about the deal.
– Darya Bozhko, Foreign Rights Manager, Children’s Books Department, EKSMO Publishing House, Russia

We are also really excited to announce that the 3rd book of the series Mabel Merryweather and the Cheesy Mystery will be published by Otava in June!

Book 3: Mabel Merryweather and the Cheesy Mystery

The streets of Dalton have turned holy like Emmental cheese!

Mabel Merryweather’s friend Bruno and his goat have arrived from Switzerland to perform at the Dalton cheese festival. This fragrant event has attracted a lot of people to the venue, but for the horror of the townspeople mysterious holes have started to appear on streets and courtyards at night. Who digs them – and why? The rumor speards that the town is infested by aliens, but Lily, Nick, and the mighty grandmother Mabel Merryweather don’t believe the gossips. With the help of yodeling goats, they dig up the truth.

About the authors:

Noora Kunnas is a children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. She has the knack for making both children and grownups laugh while they’re immersed in he rbooks.The trademark of her books is a nutty humor, spiced with quirky characters, as well as the titillating mood of various settings, where anything – and we mean anything – is possible.

Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and graphic designer whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children’s fiction in 20 countries, including Finland, UK, US, Germany and China. In addition to children’s books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material.

Mabel Merryweather series
Otava, 2019, 2020, 2021, 140 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
DENMARK: ABC Forlag
GERMANY: Mixtvision
HUNGARY: Pagony
RUSSIA: Eksmo

Noora Kunnas


Noora Kunnas (born in 1987) is a children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. She has the knack for making both children and grownups laugh while they’re immersed in her zany books. She loves animals and British humor – she grew up watching Jeeves and Wooster and eating ice cream straight from the container. Kunnas draws her inspiration from the world of Roald Dahl. The trademark of her books is a nutty humor, spiced with quirky characters, as well as the titillating mood of various settings, where anything – and we mean anything – is possible.

Noora Kunnas has published seven children’s books at Otava (2015 – 2021),  and her works have been nominated for the prestigious Tiiliskivi and Lukuvarkaus literary prizes in Finland. She graduated from the Turku Academy of Arts with a degree in film, and she worked in television since.

Author page

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

2 new deals for LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series!

Posted on

Now 19 territories sold for LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series!
We are very excited to announce that both Korean and Bulgarian rights for the Magdalena Hai’s LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series have now been sold!

In an auction, Gilbutschool from South Korea acquired the rights for all 3 titles. And that is not all, we are very happy that Emas in Bulgaria also acquired the rights for the series!

The wonderful younger middle-grade series illustrated by Teemu Juhani has already sold to 19 countries, but rights are still available in Poland, France, United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Slovenia, China, etc.

Download the Full English pdfs for all 3 titles in the series here.

We were captivated by the hilarious and heartwarming stories of the main characters and monsters. Many children will gain confidence and energy through Nina’s adventures in solving problems actively.
– Su Seon Park, editor, Gilbutschool Publishers, Korea

Enchanting series, well-written, with funny illustrations, stimulates children’s imagination.
A delightful blend of fantasy and humor. The amazing illustrations in each page feature dynamic characters and unexpected goosebumps!
– Lindy Galatis, Editorial Director, Dioptra, Greece

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Nina is a is a clever, 9-year-old girl who goes to work in the Little Shop of Nightmares. During the course of the trilogy, she has to solve a mystery with tickling powder, find the lost teeth of a vampire and discover the reason why suddenly it just doesn’t stop snowing. The Little Shop of Nightmares is a mystery full of fascinating and fun characters that make young readers both wonder and laugh!

 #1  THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
When Nina, 9 years old, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is
greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing.
With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help
him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus
Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

 #2  MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares.
But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help
vampire Lucas to find his teeth from Mr. Kook’s shop. But for some reason all the vampire
teeth seem to have disappeared. It seems like somebody has hidden them on purpose…

 #3  STICKY THE TERRIBLE SNOWMAN
Same awesome monsters. New blizzardy trouble. The Little Shop of Nightmares is
getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm,
but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps
getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside.

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES SERIES:

#1 Kamala kutituspulveri, WSOY 2019, 60pp
#2 Hampaat hukassa, WSOY 2019, 60pp
#3 Hirmuinen Jumimies WSOY 2021, 60pp

Rights sold

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

BULGARIA:
Emas
CZECH REPUBLIC:
Euromedia
DENMARK:
Vild Maskine
ESTONIA:
Postimees Publishing
GERMANY:
Egmont Schneiderbuch
GREECE:
Dioptra
HUNGARY:
Cerkabella
ITALY:
Terre di Mezzo
KOREA:
Gilbutschool
LATVIA:
Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA:
Briedis
NETHERLANDS:
De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY:
Fontini
RUSSIA:
KompasGuide
ROMANIA:
Editura Univers
SERBIA:
Odiseja
SWEDEN:
Hegas
TURKEY:
Epsilon

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

AGNES AND THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR acquired by Eesti Raamat in Estonia

Posted on
We are very happy to announce that the first international rights for Tuutikki Tolonen’s AGNES AND THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR have been sold to Eesti Raamat in Estonia!

AGNES AND THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR is the second title in the Middle Grade (8-12y)  series Agnes. The first title AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS will be published in 6 countries.

The series is illustrated by talented Kati Vuorento.

Download the materials for both titles here.

AGNES AND THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR by Tuutikki Tolonen
Agnes and her mother have inherited a beautiful old villa, but there seems to be something strange about it. There is a lovely scent of flowers in the air, even though there’s no flowers in the houses. Every morning, the lid of an old piano is found open even though no one has been playing it. More importantly, why can they hear steps on the staircase to the attic?
 

Rights sold: FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat

Download materials here
AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS by Tuutikki Tolonen
11-years-old Agnes has to move to a small countryside town with her mother. Her parents are divorced, and Agnes doesn’t know anyone from her new hometown. She is not having the best summer of her life. But then something weird happens. Agnes finds an old tombstone that has her name and birthday engraved on it – only the birth year is different. Whose grave is it? And after the visit to the cemetery she starts to have very mysterious dreams. It feels like someone who lived a long time ago is trying to tell something to her… Is it possible that these two Agneses from different times have some connection?
 

Rights sold: FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), CZECH REPUBLIC: Portál, s. r. o., DENMARK: ABC Forlag, ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat, GERMANY: Carlsen Verlag, RUSSIA: Rosman

Download materials here

 

Kati Vuorento


Kati Vuorento is an illustrator living and working in Espoo, Finland: ”In small details there is an infinite magic. I want my illustrations to stir emotion in the audience. Empathizing is important to me. In my illustrations, I always include approachable characteristics to even the most hardened anti-hero. This is how I mold the characters into personalities with depth and dimension.”

She is the illustrator of middle-grade Agnes series by Tuutikki Tolonen that was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

EALA Spring 2021 Children’s Rights Guide

Posted on

We have wonderful new Children’s titles for you!

We are very proud to share our Spring 2021 Children’s Rights Guide and announce exciting titles from YA fantasy adventures to finding new friends with a pet pig, from teaching children about viruses to a wonderful wintertime story and everything in between!

Browse our full Spring 2021 Children’s Rights Guide here.

 

Stormseye
by Meri Luttinen

Nominated for Finlandia Prize for Children’s & YA literature 2020!

Topelius Prize Winner 2020!

A beautiful historical fantasy adventure set in the ancient Finnish fantasy world where a young woman finds her own place in the society

On a long midsummer night, when the sun never really sets, sixteen year-old Kainu stands at the edge of a series of red circles drawn in ochre on the ground.

All young girls in her village discover what their future role in life is going to be by taking part in this ancient and traditional “rite of the circles”. Girls usually find that they end up in one of the more common circles that points them in the direction of roles such as matrons, mothers, or craftswomen. No one even dreams about the five most unique and select innermost circles, usually reserved for shamans and sages. Not one single girl has ever found themselves directed to one of the special circles for hundreds of years.

However, when Kainu enters the very middle circle which is that of a Great Sage, heavy responsibilities fall on her, and she has to go on a long journey to find out who she really is.

Download English sample and synopsis here!

 

Annie the Friend Tamer
by Kaisa Paasto, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu

Shy people of the world, unite!
Annie is a 10-year-old girl. When her friend Miisa moves abroad, Annie has a chilling realization: she has never had to find a new friend. Is it too late to learn how to make friends? Obviously no-one can learn a skill this big when they’re 10. Can they?

At home Annie has a different sort of problem: her new pet pig is refusing to be trained. He just wants to stay in his safe place, under the table. Good thing that Annie’s brother has just had a major back operation, as this means he has lots of time to lie in bed and dole out great advice. Anni’es parents are also alright as far as parents go, even if they do laugh a bit too much at their own jokes. So it’s not all too bad – she just needs to become a ‘friend tamer’!

Download English book presentation and Full Finnish pdf from here

Full English text coming soon!

BOOK 2 coming in Fall 2021! 

 

Tales of Wintertide: The Snow Queen’s Spell
by Hannele Lampela

Nominated for Arvid Lydecken Prize 2020!

Imagine if all the bedtime stories were true! The Snow Queen’s Spell begins an enchantingly funny and fantastical series for middle-grade readers.

Greta’s little brother Kai has gone missing, but her parents act like he has never even existed. So, she embarks on a mission to find and save him, and ends up in the fairytale-like land of Wintertide, where she becomes a member of the Storytellers Guild. Before Greta can save Kai, she needs to learn to tell her own story.

But just what is her story? Is it a fairy tale about the Snow Queen? At least it seems as if it is;  Greta must now become a member of the Guild to break the enchanted spell cast by the Queen of Coldness. It’s clear that the Queen is definitely not going to let Kai go without a fight.

Download English sample and synopsis here

 

Mini Science: Invisible World
by Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Sanna Pelliccioni

In the second title of Mini Science series – INVISIBLE WORLD – the adorable character Plop will discover the things one cannot see: electricity, garden in the fog, darkness, micro-organisms and other invisible things.

When Plop will get sick, he will learn about bacteria and viruses and how to avoid them. Vaccinations can seem scary, but they keep us healthy!
Sometimes it’s better to stay home, even if this makes you bored, so that soon you could go discovering the Dark Side of The Moon!

Download full English pdf here

 

Weird Weather: Why Does Climate Change
Weird Weather Activity Book for Climate Heroes

by Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu
Now the bestselling children’s non-fiction title about climate change got even better!
Let us introduce the Weird Weather Activity Book that compliments the original bestselling title and can turn anyone into a Climate Hero!

Weird Weather is an original title about climate change, sold already to 16 territories!

Two clever buddies, Lotta and Kasper get tired of their parents’ evasive answers about weird weather. They decide to research what climate change is really about. Weird Weather! is an accurate but hopeful children’s nonfiction title that explains how humans are responsible for climate change and what we can do to ensure a brighter future. It also gives tips on how everyone can make better choices and practice climate-positive skills every day.

But climate change won’t be beaten with tiny tricks, and that’s why this book also encourages talking to children about how to make societal changes, and how working together can change everything. Stay also tuned for the upcoming sequel!

Download full English pdf here

Weird Weather, the Activity Book provides fun pastimes for environment lovers. Fun tasks, brain-teasers and inspiring ideas unleash children’s creative powers. Through the activities, they will learn more about the world including both past and current changes happening everywhere in nature – as well as what can be done for a better future!

Some of the tasks can be done directly in the book, others encourage the children to explore their home environment or the surrounding areas. Get busy with a friend, call your grandparents to learn about the climate, and why not write a letter to the people who can make a difference, whether it’s your favorite YouTuber – or the President!

Download full Finnish pdf here

Hannele Lampela


Hannele Lampela's lovable works have been praised above all for their rich humor and ability to truly show the world from a child's perspective. She has the ability to enchant her readers, and that is why both children and adults love her stories. Lampela's works have been dramatized for example by the Finnish National Theater, Kuopio City Theater and YLE's radio plays. She has been awarded the prestigious Kaarina Helakisa Prize for her work and she has been nominated for Runeberg Junior award in 2019 and for Storytel Award, and Arvid Lydecken Award in 2020.

In addition to her fictional works, Lampela has written and created  a world of stories for the next national ABC book of Finnish schools. First graders across the country will learn to read through Hannele’s texts. Lampela lives in a small wooden house in the middle of apple trees with her family, and spends her days not only writing, but also pampering herself and others on a regular basis.

Author page Author webpage

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

Mari Ahokoivu


Mari Ahokoivu (b. 1984) is a Finnish illustrator and a comics artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly drawing graphic novels and comics for children, including Sanni & Joonas and Lola Olifante.  Ahokoivu loves everything cute and scary. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Author page

Meri Luttinen


Meri Luttinen is an award-winning Finnish debut writer from Tampere. Her debut Stormseye won the Topelius prize and was nominated for both Kuvastaja Award and Finlandia Prize for Children's & YA literature in 2020.

She has a Master's degree in Finnish language and literature and has worked teaching Finnish and creating study materials. Luttinen is fascinated by everyday life in different eras and wants to transport readers to other worlds with her texts.

Author page

Now 17 territories for LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series and 20 for NAONDEL!

Posted on

We are very excited to announce 4 new children’s deals!

There are now 2 new deals for Magdalena Hai’s LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series and also 2 new deals for Maria Turtschaninoff’s NAONDEL – the second title from the bestselling YA series Red Abbey Chronicles!

In an auction, one of the leading publishers in Greece – Dioptra –  acquired rights for the whole LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series. Odiseja in Serbia also acquired the rights for the first title in the series.

The wonderful younger middle-grade series illustrated by Teemu Juhani has already sold to 17 countries, but rights are still available in: Poland, France, United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Slovenia, China, Bulgaria, etc.

Download the Full English pdfs for all 3 titles in the series here.

Little Shop of Nightmares is a bit spooky but mostly hilarious just like the tickling powder from the book. We are super excited to present its strange but charming characters to our readers.
– Sandra Bakić Topalović, Editor, Odiseja, Serbia

Enchanting series, well-written, with funny illustrations, stimulates children’s imagination.
A delightful blend of fantasy and humor. The amazing illustrations in each page feature dynamic characters and unexpected goosebumps!
– Lindy Galatis, Editorial Director, Dioptra, Greece

Maria Turtschaninoiff’s NAONDEL, second title in RED ABBEY CHRONICLES series was acquired by Romanian publisher Univers and also by Albanian publisher Dritan.

This bestselling YA series has sold to already 26 territories, but the rights are still available in Russia, Czech Republic, Greece, Slovenia,  Japan, Portugal, and in many other countries. See the rights sold list on the right.

A prequel that introduces the founding sisters of the all-female Red Abbey… their interwoven stories told with unflinching clarity, rise to a vengeful climax with the glow of the red moon, and will stay with the reader long after the book is closed. […] Turtschaninoff weaves a hypnotic spell…at once contemporary and timeless.
– The Guardian

Download full English manuscripts for all 3 titles in the series here

 

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Nina is a is a clever, 9-year-old girl who goes to work in the Little Shop of Nightmares. During the course of the trilogy, she has to solve a mystery with tickling powder, find the lost teeth of a vampire and discover the reason why suddenly it just doesn’t stop snowing. The Little Shop of Nightmares is a mystery full of fascinating and fun characters that make young readers both wonder and laugh!

 #1  THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
When Nina, 9 years old, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is
greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing.
With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help
him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus
Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

 #2  MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares.
But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help
vampire Lucas to find his teeth from Mr. Kook’s shop. But for some reason all the vampire
teeth seem to have disappeared. It seems like somebody has hidden them on purpose…

 #3  STICKY THE TERRIBLE SNOWMAN
Same awesome monsters. New blizzardy trouble. The Little Shop of Nightmares is
getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm,
but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps
getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside.

THE RED ABBEY CHRONICLES
by Maria Turtschaninoff

MARESI is the first title in The Red Abbey Chronicles and an international feature film is under development by Film4/The Bureau.
MARESI RED MANTLE, book 3 in the trilogy,  was awarded earlier this month the 2020 Global Literature in Libraries Translated Book Prize, as the best translated book of the year!

Download full English manuscripts for all three titles in the series here

MARESI

The Red Abbey is a refuge for women and girls, where everyone pursues their own areas of interest. Maresi prefers to spend her time reading and learning. Everything changes when the frightened Jai arrives on the island. She has seen her sister get buried alive for speaking to a young man, and her father and a crew of thugs are after her. Maresi and her friends have to fight to defend both Jai and their community.
NAONDEL 
An independent prequel to Maresi, Naondel tells the story of the First Sisters – founders of the Red Abbey. Imprisoned in a harem by a dangerous man, with a dark magic that grants him power over life and death, the women must overcome their mistrust of each other in order to escape. But they can only do so at a great cost, both for those who leave and those left behind.

MARESI: RED MANTLE 

The third book is an epistolary novel that follows Maresi after she leaves the Red Abbey to establish a school in her oppressed home province of Rovas. The return to her Northern home, and fitting in, is not easy even with all the knowledge she’s bringing with her, but she is determined to triumph over the difficulties. However, she does not need to make it alone, for life has yet another surprise in store: love

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES SERIES:

#1 Kamala kutituspulveri, WSOY 2019, 60pp
#2 Hampaat hukassa, WSOY 2019, 60pp
#3 Hirmuinen Jumimies WSOY 2021, 60pp

Rights sold

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

CZECH REPUBLIC:
Euromedia
DENMARK:
Vild Maskine
ESTONIA:
Postimees Publishing
GERMANY:
Egmont Schneiderbuch
GREECE:
Dioptra
HUNGARY:
Cerkabella
ITALY:
Terre di Mezzo
LATVIA:
Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA:
Briedis
NETHERLANDS:
De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY:
Fontini
RUSSIA:
KompasGuide
ROMANIA:
Editura Univers
SERBIA:
Odiseja
SWEDEN:
Hegas
TURKEY:
Epsilon

RED ABBEY CHRONICLES

#1 Maresi, Schildts & Söderströms 2014 180pp
#2 Naondel, Förlaget , 2016, 400pp
#3 Breven från Maresi, Förlaget, 2018, 300pp

Rights sold or the series:

Original publisher: FINLAND, (Book 1)
Original publisher: FINLAND, Förlaget (Books 2-3)

ALBANIA: Dritan (Book 1-2)
AZERBAIJAN: Alatoran (Book 1-2)
BELGIUM, Clavis (Book 1-2)
BRAZIL, Morro Branco (Books 1-3)
BULGARIA, Izida (Books 1-3)
CANADA (French), Editions de la Bagnole (Book 1)
CHINA (Simplified), Shanghai 99 (Books 1-3)
CROATIA, Naklada ljevak (Book 1)
DENMARK, Turbine (Book 1)
ESTONIA, Varrak (Book 1-2)
FINLAND, Tammi (Books 1-2)
FRANCE, Rageot (Books 1-2)
GERMANY, Random House/Heyne (Book 1)
HUNGARY, Scolar (Books 1-3)
ITALY, Atmosphere Libri (Books 1-3)
LATVIA, Petergailis (Book 1-2)
LITHUANIA: Aukso Pieva (Book 1)
NETHERLANDS, Clavis (Book 1-2)
NORWAY, Gursli Berg Forlag (Books 1-3)
POLAND, Wydawnictwo Debit (Books 1-3)
ROMANIA, Univers (Books 1-2)
WORLD SPANISH, Penguin Random House/Alfaguara (Book 1)
SWEDEN, Berghs (Books 1-2)
TURKEY, Altın Kitaplar (Book 1)
UNITED KINGDOM, Pushkin Press (Books 1-3)
UNITED STATES, Abrams (Books 1-3)

FILM & TV Rights: The Bureau/Film4

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Maria Turtschaninoff


Maria Turtschaninoff is known for crafting lyrical, historically inspired fantasy stories starring strong female protagonists. In addition to J.R.R. Tolkien, she counts Philip Pullman, Ursula K. Le Guin and C.S. Lewis among her favorite authors. She is a two-time winner of the Society of Swedish Literature Prize, a nominee for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and winner of the 2014 Finlandia Junior Prize. Maria has a Master of Arts in human ecology and works full-time as a writer.

Author page Author webpageAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series sold to Lithuania, WEIRD WEATHER to Denmark!

Posted on

We are very excited to start the week with 2 new children’s translation rights sales!

The LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series by Magdalena Hai has now been acquired by Lithuanian publisher Briedis.

The wonderful younger middle-grade series illustrated by Teemu Juhani will be published in 15 countries, but rights are still available in: France, United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, Slovenia, China, Bulgaria, Greece etc.

Thematically, it hit well in the 6-9 age group. A perfectly illustrated and exiting book series!
Indrė Polimaitienė, editor, publishing house “Briedis”

Download the Full English pdfs for all 3 titles in the series here.

The translation of the second book of the series is also nominated for the best children’s book of the year in Norway. The winners will be announced in May!

We are also very happy to announce that a Danish publisher Staarup & Co has acquired the non-fiction bestseller WEIRD WEATHER by Laura Ertimo with illustrations by Mari Ahokoivu.
The very important title about climate change for children and their parents has sold to 14 territories, but rights are still available in Germany, Russia, Czech Republic, France, Turkey, Netherlands, etc.

Download the English pdf for WEIRD WEATHER by using this link.

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Nina is a is a clever, 9-year-old girl who goes to work in the Little Shop of Nightmares. During the course of the trilogy, she has to solve a mystery with tickling powder, find the lost teeth of a vampire and discover the reason why suddenly it just doesn’t stop snowing. The Little Shop of Nightmares is a mystery full of fascinating and fun characters that make young readers both wonder and laugh!

 #1  THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
When Nina, 9 years old, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is
greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing.
With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help
him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus
Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

 #2  MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares.
But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help
vampire Lucas to find his teeth from Mr. Kook’s shop. But for some reason all the vampire
teeth seem to have disappeared. It seems like somebody has hidden them on purpose…

 #3  STICKY THE TERRIBLE SNOWMAN
Same awesome monsters. New blizzardy trouble. The Little Shop of Nightmares is
getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm,
but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps
getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside.

WEIRD WEATHER
by Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu

Weird Weather! is accurate but hopeful children’s nonfiction that explains how humans are responsible for climate change and what we can do to ensure a brighter future. It also gives tips on how everyone can make better choices and practice climate skills every day. But climate change won’t be beaten with tiny tricks, and this book also encourages talking to children about how to make changes in society, and how working together can change everything.

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES SERIES:

#1 Kamala kutituspulveri, WSOY 2019, 60pp
#2 Hampaat hukassa, WSOY 2019, 60pp
#3 Hirmuinen Jumimies WSOY 2021, 60pp

Rights sold

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

CZECH REPUBLIC:
Euromedia
DENMARK:
Vild Maskine
ESTONIA:
Postimees Publishing
GERMANY:
Egmont Schneiderbuch
HUNGARY:
Cerkabella
ITALY:
Terre di Mezzo
LATVIA:
Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA:
Briedis
NETHERLANDS:
De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY:
Fontini
RUSSIA:
KompasGuide
ROMANIA:
Editura Univers
SWEDEN:
Hegas
TURKEY:
Epsilon

 

WEIRD WEATHER
Ihme ilmat, Into 2019, 48pp

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Into (orig.),
DENMARK: Staarup & Co.,
ESTONIA: Avita,
HUNGARY: Ciceró Könyvstúdió Kft.,
ITALY: Edizioni Piemme S.p.a,
LATVIA: Jumava,
LITHUANIA: Obuolys,
MEXICO (Latin American Spanish rights): Ordinal,
NORWAY: Aschehoug,
POLAND: AMBER Sp. z o.o.,
SERBIA: Odiseja,
SLOVAKIA: Ikar, SPAIN: Norma Editorial,
SWEDEN: Raben & Sjörgen,
UNITED STATES: Skyhorse Publishing

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Mari Ahokoivu


Mari Ahokoivu (b. 1984) is a Finnish illustrator and a comics artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly drawing graphic novels and comics for children, including Sanni & Joonas and Lola Olifante.  Ahokoivu loves everything cute and scary. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Author page

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 3 sold to Denmark!

Posted on

We are very excited to start the year with new children’s translation rights sales!

The upcoming title in the LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series: STICKY THE HORRIBLE SNOWMAN by Magdalena Hai was sold to Danish publisher Vild Maskine. 

The wonderful younger middle-grade series illustrated by Teemu Juhani has already sold to 14 countries, but rights are still available in: France, United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, Lithuania, Slovenia, China, Bulgaria, Greece etc.

An original, lively series that we hope will continue for a long time. A terribly funny story, with breathtaking illustrations
– Eleonora Armaroli, Terre di Mezzo, Italy

Download the Full English pdfs for all 3 titles in the series here.

 

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Nina is a is a clever, 9-year-old girl who goes to work in the Little Shop of Nightmares. During the course of the trilogy, she has to solve a mystery with tickling powder, find the lost teeth of a vampire and discover the reason why suddenly it just doesn’t stop snowing. The Little Shop of Nightmares is a mystery full of fascinating and fun characters that make young readers both wonder and laugh!

 #1  THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
When Nina, 9 years old, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is
greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing.
With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help
him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus
Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

 #2  MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares.
But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help
vampire Lucas to find his teeth from Mr. Kook’s shop. But for some reason all the vampire
teeth seem to have disappeared. It seems like somebody has hidden them on purpose…

 #3  STICKY THE TERRIBLE SNOWMAN
Same awesome monsters. New blizzardy trouble. The Little Shop of Nightmares is
getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm,
but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps
getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside.

Rights sold

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

CZECH REPUBLIC:
Euromedia
DENMARK:
Vild Maskine
ESTONIA:
Postimees Publishing
GERMANY:
Egmont Schneiderbuch
HUNGARY:
Cerkabella
ITALY:
Terre di Mezzo
LATVIA:
Latvijas Mediji
NETHERLANDS:
De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY:
Fontini
RUSSIA:
KompasGuide
ROMANIA:
Editura Univers
SWEDEN:
Hegas
TURKEY:
Epsilon

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

AGNES sold to Germany, THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series to Italy!

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We are very happy to announce 2 new children’s translation rights sales!

Tuutikki Tolonen’s AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS was acquired by Carlsen Verlag (also German publisher for J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer etc)

Agnes is a very charming story about friendship and family, it is gripping and heartwarming at the same time. Tuutikki Tolonen takes us to a place full of mysteries and dreams and she creates an atmosphere where the reader immediately feels comfortable. We are very happy to welcome Agnes to our list!

– Wiebke Andersen, Editor, Carlsen Verlag, Germany

Ask for English sample for the title by clicking here.

We are equally excited because the first 2 titles of THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series by Magdalena Hai were sold to Italian publisher Terre di Mezzo
The wonderful younger middle-grade series has already sold to 14 countries, but rights are still available in: France, United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, Lithuania, Slovenia, China, Bulgaria, Greece etc.

An original, lively series that we hope will continue for a long time. A terribly funny story, with breathtaking illustrations
– Eleonora Armaroli, Terre di Mezzo, Italy

Ask for English texts and pdfs for the series by clicking here.

AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS
by Tuutikki Tolonen, illustrated by Kati Vuorento

First book of the series

11-years-old Agnes has to move to a small countryside town with her mother. Her parents are divorced, and Agnes doesn’t know anyone
from her new hometown. She is not having the best summer of her life.

But then something weird happens. Agnes finds an old tombstone that has her name and birthday engraved on it – only the birth year is different. Whose grave is it?

Agnes befriends a boy called ”Bun”, who is also lonely. Together they start to solve the mystery of the tombstone. They find out more and more about a family who lived in the town years and years ago. When they go visit the family’s abandoned mansion, Agnes realizes something. She has been there before – in her dreams.

What is happening? It feels like someone who lived a long time ago is trying to tell something to Agnes. Is it possible that these two Agneses from different times have some connection?

Coming up: Book #2 to be published in 2021. More information coming soon.

 

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES
by Magdalena Hai, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

Nina is a is a clever, 9-year-old girl who goes to work in the Little Shop of Nightmares. During the course of the trilogy, she has to solve a mystery with tickling powder, find the lost teeth of a vampire and discover the reason why suddenly it just doesn’t stop snowing. The Little Shop of Nightmares is a mystery full of fascinating and fun characters that make young readers both wonder and laugh!

 #1  THE TERRIBLE TICKLING POWDER
When Nina, 9 years old, enters The Little Shop of Nightmares in hopes of getting a job, she is
greeted by an odd sight: shopkeeper Mr. Kook is rolling on the floor, unable to stop laughing.
With a little help from a ghost called Paddy, they start looking for the untickling powder to help
him, but things are certainly not made easier by Mr. Kook’s world-domination-planning pet octopus
Squishy McGoo, who is a bit too quick about getting into trouble with rollerblades on its tentacles.

 #2  MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH
Nina goes to buy ice cream after her first work day at The Little Shop of Nightmares.
But at the ice cream shop she discovers a vampire – without teeth! Nina decides to help
vampire Lucas to find his teeth from Mr. Kook’s shop. But for some reason all the vampire
teeth seem to have disappeared. It seems like somebody has hidden them on purpose…

 #3  STICKY THE TERRIBLE SNOWMAN
Same awesome monsters. New blizzardy trouble. The Little Shop of Nightmares is
getting buried in snow! Nina and Paddy are trying to find the cause of the snowstorm,
but that’s easier said than done. A well-meaning but horribly clumsy snowman keeps
getting in their way and stopping their every effort to stop the snowing inside.

Rights sold:
AGNES
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)

CZECH REPUBLIC: Portál
DENMARK: ABC Forlag
ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat
GERMANY: Carlsen Verlag
RUSSIA: Rosman

 

Rights sold
LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES SERIES:

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)

CZECH REPUBLIC:
Euromedia
DENMARK:
Vild Maskine
ESTONIA:
Postimees Publishing
GERMANY:
Egmont Schneiderbuch
HUNGARY:
Cerkabella
ITALY:
Terre di Mezzo
LATVIA:
Latvijas Mediji
NETHERLANDS:
De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY:
Fontini
RUSSIA:
KompasGuide
ROMANIA:
Editura Univers
SWEDEN:
Hegas
TURKEY:
Epsilon

Kati Vuorento


Kati Vuorento is an illustrator living and working in Espoo, Finland: ”In small details there is an infinite magic. I want my illustrations to stir emotion in the audience. Empathizing is important to me. In my illustrations, I always include approachable characteristics to even the most hardened anti-hero. This is how I mold the characters into personalities with depth and dimension.”

She is the illustrator of middle-grade Agnes series by Tuutikki Tolonen that was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Hungarian rights sold to Mabel Merryweather series!

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Hungarian rights sold to MABEL MERRYWEATHER series by Noora Kunnas and Teemu Juhani
We are excited to announce the third foreign sale for Mabel Merryweather series:  Mabel Merryweather and the Miniature Pirates by author Noora Kunnas and illustrator Teemu Juhani has been sold in Hungary to Pagony!

“Mabel Merryweather and the Miniature Pirates is a vibrant, cheerful and light text from the beginning to the end. It is an adventure novel, but with new, fresh elements like a singing rooster and mini-pirates. Not only has it an exciting story, it also has a very good message – the elderly people are not depicted as passive and helpless but on the contrary: the grannies and the children solve problems together!”

– Hanna Győri, editor, Pozsonyi Pagony Kft. Hungary

Request the English samples and synopses by clicking here

This fast and wacky middle-grade series has adorable, quirky black-and-white illustrations by Teemu Juhani, and the humorous story draws inspiration from the world of Roald Dahl.

About the books:

Book 1: Mabel Merryweather and the Miniature Pirates
Otava 2019, 140 pp.
Nick and Lilly’s visit to their rule-loving, child-hating uncle Jim turns into an adventure as the children get to know their exiting, eccentric neighbor: Mabel Merryweather. Mabel and her friends are preparing for a flower arrangement competition, when the town is hit by a jeweler thief. Nick, Lilly and Mabel have their own problems as Mabel’s decorative miniature pirates have come to live and are rummaging through the backyards. And what happened to the main judge of the competition – a pop singer Monika who disappeared in the same day?  Something must be done to bring peace and order back to the town of Dalton.

#2 Mabel Merryweather and the King of the Thieves
Otava 2020, 144 pp.
The town of Dalton is celebrating a local children’s poet’s 140th anniversary, and everyone is dressed up as a character from a poem. But amongst the happy people there’s also a gentleman thief who has terrorized art museums all spring. Through many mistakes and misunderstandings Nick and Lilly help the police to catch a thief – and to teach a lesson to a grumpy literary critic.

Rights sold for the series:

FINLAND: Otava (orig.)

DENMARK: ABC Forlag
GERMANY: Mixtvision Verlag
HUNGARY: Pagony

Noora Kunnas


Noora Kunnas (born in 1987) is a children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. She has the knack for making both children and grownups laugh while they’re immersed in her zany books. She loves animals and British humor – she grew up watching Jeeves and Wooster and eating ice cream straight from the container. Kunnas draws her inspiration from the world of Roald Dahl. The trademark of her books is a nutty humor, spiced with quirky characters, as well as the titillating mood of various settings, where anything – and we mean anything – is possible.

Noora Kunnas has published seven children’s books at Otava (2015 – 2021),  and her works have been nominated for the prestigious Tiiliskivi and Lukuvarkaus literary prizes in Finland. She graduated from the Turku Academy of Arts with a degree in film, and she worked in television since.

Author page

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Estonian rights sold to HILJA’S SUMMER AT THE GREEN HOUSE

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We cannot be happier to announce that Hilja-series has now a publisher in Estonia!

Eesti Raamat acquired the rights for the first book in the series: HILJA’S SUMMER AT THE GREEN HOUSE.
Previously, the series has been published in Finland and Germany.

“We love that children can easily relate to “Hilja´s Summer in The Green House”. Stories of Hilja are heartfelt and funny, with a twist of irony.
Who needs superpowers or fairy godmothers when you have two sisters, grannies and aunties!”
– Reet Trummal, editor, Eesti Raamat, Estonia

 

HILJA’S SUMMER IN THE GREEN HOUSE (#1 in Hilja-series)
by Heidi Viherjuuri, illustrated by Nadja Sarell

Hilja is a seven-year-old girl who lives in a wooden house that always needs some fixing. Her family consists of her mother, father, little sister Taimi and big sister Veini. Grandpa is also closely involved in the life of the Green House. He helps Dad with the renovation, takes the kids to fish, and tells jokes.  Hilja has only seen her grandma in an old photograph. However, there are three ladies in the neighborhood who are making sure that Hilja doesn’t have just one grandma but three!

The late summer is full of hustle and bustle. Weather they are celebrating something, catching fish or making Midsummer magic it is never boring! When cousin Martti comes to visit, Agent H and Agent M begin a spy mission to Aunt Strawberry’s house. The excursion ends up in the aunt’s vegetable garden, where secret agents are assigned the task K – weeding.

The idyllic countryside scenery provides room for imagination. These stories are not full of action and crime., but life in the Green house is never too smooth, and the story is spiced with just the right touch of anarchist humor.

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Mäkelä (orig.)
ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat
GERMANY: WooW Books

Heidi Viherjuuri


Heidi Viherjuuri lives in Cologne, Germany, where she writes about things big and small and also everyday life situations. She loves green tea, weekdays, history, traveling by train and having silly laughs with her son. Heidi´s works have rich language and are straight-to-the-point at the same time and one of her favorite books is the Finnish thesaurus.

Author page Author webpageAuthor Facebook

Nadja Sarell


Nadja Sarell is an illustrator living in Helsinki, Finland. She graduated with MA in Dance from Theatre Academy Helsinki. Soon after that she moved to a small town in North Wales to study children’s book illustration. She graduated from North Wales School of Art and Design with BA in Illustration for Children’s Publishing in 2004.

Since then she has worked as a freelance illustrator for children’s publishing in Finland and abroad. She loves to teach art, illustration and dance for both children and adults. She is also passionate about surface pattern design and enjoys creating charismatic, expressive book characters.
If Nadja was an animal, she would be a cat living in an old mansion with a large fireplace and a comfy sofa. Her favourite things are her family, music, dancing, black coffee and chocolate.

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

29th territory for MONSTER NANNY series!

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We are very happy to announce that Ukrainian publisher School Publishing House has now acquired the rights for all 3 titles in Monster Nanny series. The series now has 29 rights sold and a feature film in development by Scott Free Productions.

Congratulations to Tuutikki Tolonen, Pasi Pitkänen and School Publishing House!

The rights are still available in Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Japan, Serbia, Slovakia, Iceland, Korea, Croatia, Israel etc
If you are interested, request the full English materials for Monster Nanny trilogy by clicking here.

 

MONSTER NANNY TRILOGY:

Book 1: Monster Nanny
Mörkövahti. Tammi 2015, 300 pp.

The Hellman children must make do with a nanny while their mother is away at a spa. The only problem? Their nanny is a monster.

Grah is hairy, dusty, and doesn’t talk. When the siblings discover that other neighborhood kids have been left with similar creatures, they start to wonder where the monsters came from. With the parents away, the kids work together (between bickering) to figure out the mystery of the monsters.
Book 2: Monster Route
Mörköreitti. Tammi 2016, 280 pp.

Mimi 6 years, has snuck into the monsters’ underground world after her monster friend Grah. She travels in their tunnels, led by the odd Gate Keeper. Back at home, Koby and Halley put their heads together and manage to get in touch with Mimi. But who is the mysterious and frightening ruler of the monster world?

Book 3: Monster Message
Mörköviesti, Tammi, March 2020, 250 pp.

Hellman kids face new troubles. Mom and Dad want to move into a bigger home on the other side of the city. Mimi’s talking bathrobe feels strangely shrunk, and drops hints of leaving. Monstrologist Runar Kalli is starting to act his age without his rejuvenating root potion – and he’s 122. Something must be done. When Mimi finds crumpled leaves with strange markings in her room, they look like messages from underground, but who’s delivering them and why? And why does the Gatekeeper of the underground world appear in their bathroom?

The three books are all illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen.

MONSTER NANNY SERIES:

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (orig. publisher)

AUSTRALIA, Allen & Unwin
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
DENMARK, Turbine
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NEW ZEALAND, Allen & Unwin
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
OCEANIA, Allen & Unwin
POLAND, Vesper
PORTUGAL, Asa Editiones/Leya
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
UKRAINE: School Publishing House
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
UNITED STATES: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

 

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

German and Danish rights sold to MABEL MERRYWEATHER series by Noora Kunnas and Teemu Juhani

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We are excited to announce that the first foreign rights of Mabel Merryweather series by author Noora Kunnas and illustrator Teemu Juhani have been sold. The German rights were acquired by Mixtvision Verlag, and Danish rights went to ABC Forlag.

“We are beyond delighted to publish Noora Kunnas’ and Teemu Juhani’s books at Mixtvision in 2021. The story is hilariously funny and quirky in the very best way and we can’t wait to see what our German readers think about the books!” – Kerstin Rabe, Editorial Director, Mixtvision Verlag, Germany

This fast and wacky middle-grade series has adorable, quirky black-and-white illustrations by Teemu Juhani, and the humorous story draws inspiration from the world of Roald Dahl.

About the books:

Book 1: Mabel Merryweather and the Miniature Pirates
Otava 2019, 140 pp.
Nick and Lilly’s visit to their rule-loving, child-hating uncle Jim turns into an adventure as the children get to know their exiting, eccentric neighbor: Mabel Merryweather. Mabel and her friends are preparing for a flower arrangement competition, when the town is hit by a jeweler thief. Nick, Lilly and Mabel have their own problems as Mabel’s decorative miniature pirates have come to live and are rummaging through the backyards. And what happened to the main judge of the competition – a pop singer Monika who disappeared in the same day?  Something must be done to bring peace and order back to the town of Dalton.

#2 Mabel Merryweather and the King of the Thieves
Otava 2020, 144 pp.
The town of Dalton is celebrating a local children’s poet’s 140th anniversary, and everyone is dressed up as a character from a poem. But amongst the happy people there’s also a gentleman thief who has terrorized art museums all spring. Through many mistakes and misunderstandings Nick and Lilly help the police to catch a thief – and to teach a lesson to a grumpy literary critic.

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
DENMARK: ABC Forlag
GERMANY: Mixtvision

Noora Kunnas


Noora Kunnas (born in 1987) is a children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. She has the knack for making both children and grownups laugh while they’re immersed in her zany books. She loves animals and British humor – she grew up watching Jeeves and Wooster and eating ice cream straight from the container. Kunnas draws her inspiration from the world of Roald Dahl. The trademark of her books is a nutty humor, spiced with quirky characters, as well as the titillating mood of various settings, where anything – and we mean anything – is possible.

Noora Kunnas has published seven children’s books at Otava (2015 – 2021),  and her works have been nominated for the prestigious Tiiliskivi and Lukuvarkaus literary prizes in Finland. She graduated from the Turku Academy of Arts with a degree in film, and she worked in television since.

Author page

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

2020 Children’s & YA Fall Rights Guide is published

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We are proud to announce that our 2020 Fall Rights Guide is published, and this time it is completely digital.

What’s new: Author videos! 360 views on books
Browse different categories from the top menu, see 360 degree views of the titles and enjoy video clips from our authors. Ask for materials by only clicking a button.

Browse the Children’s & YA list here

We are super excited about our list! Below we have introduced our brand-new Children’s & YA titles. Take a look and get in touch to register your interest and request English materials!

 

YOUNG ADULT:

A Beautiful Day to Die by Veera Salmi

Isra has decided to die. But before that she needs to complete a rescue mission! Embark on a road trip with Isra, her friend Leo, 900 euros and a stolen sky-blue Hyundai.

Leo and Isra are not the most popular kids of their high school. They don’t have high expectations, and nobody expects much of them. So why not take a break from school – and a break from life, and try to do something meaningful before it’s all too late?

Funny, realistic and tragic story of teenagers who don’t know what they want, and are tired of trying to figure it out on their own.

Reading materials: English sample & synopsis – click here to request materials

Author bio:
Veera Salmi is a writer who lives in Helsinki. She worked for 15 years as a kindergarten teacher prior to becoming a writer. The real starting point for her career as a writer was given by the children in the kindergarten, who said they no longer wanted to hear the same old stories that take place somewhere in the countryside. They wanted to hear stories about the city, the kind of place where they themselves lived. So she started writing such stories.

MIDDLE-GRADE:

Mabel Merryweather Series by Noora Kunnas, illustrated by Teemu Juhani

#1 Mabel Merryweather and the Miniature Pirates

Nick and Lilly’s visit to their rule-loving, child-hating uncle turns into an adventure as the children get to know their exiting, eccentric neighbor: Mabel Merryweather. Mabel and her friends are preparing for a flower arrangement competition, when the town is hit by a jeweler thief. Nick, Lilly and Mabel have their own problems as Mabel’s decorative miniature pirates have come to live and are rummaging through the backyards. And what happened to the main judge of the competition – a pop singer Monika who disappeared in the same day?  Something must be done to bring peace and order back to the town of Sparton.

#2 Mabel Merryweather and the King of the Thieves

The town of Sparton is celebrating a local children’s poet’s 140th anniversary, and everyone is dressed up as a character from a poem. But amongst the happy people there’s also a gentleman thief who has terrorized art museums all spring. Through many mistakes and misunderstandings Nick and Lilly help the police to catch a thief – and to teach a lesson to a grumpy literary critic.

Reading materials: English samples & synopses – request here

Author bio: 
Noora Kunnas (born in 1987) is a children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. She has the knack for making both children and grownups laugh while they’re immersed in her zany books. She draws her inspiration from the world of Roald Dahl. The trademark of her books is a nutty humor, spiced with quirky characters, as well as the titillating mood of various settings, where anything – and we mean anything – is possible.

Noora Kunnas


Noora Kunnas (born in 1987) is a children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. She has the knack for making both children and grownups laugh while they’re immersed in her zany books. She loves animals and British humor – she grew up watching Jeeves and Wooster and eating ice cream straight from the container. Kunnas draws her inspiration from the world of Roald Dahl. The trademark of her books is a nutty humor, spiced with quirky characters, as well as the titillating mood of various settings, where anything – and we mean anything – is possible.

Noora Kunnas has published seven children’s books at Otava (2015 – 2021),  and her works have been nominated for the prestigious Tiiliskivi and Lukuvarkaus literary prizes in Finland. She graduated from the Turku Academy of Arts with a degree in film, and she worked in television since.

Author page

Veera Salmi


Veera Salmi (1976) is a Helsinki-based writer, who has worked over 15 years as a kindergarten teacher. The real starting point for her career as a writer was given by the children in the kindergarten, who said they wanted to hear stories of children who live in the city. So she started writing such stories. Now Veera Salmi is a bestselling author of over 20 books.

Author page

New deals for MISS SWIFT’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL HOUSE and PRINCESS RASCAL SERIES!

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We are very happy to start July with 2 new children’s deals!

Just 2 days after the original Finnish publication, we now have the first international sale for MISS SWIFT’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL HOUSE!

The first international publisher is Grada from Czech Republic. Congratulations!

MISS SWIFT’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL HOUSE is a new middle-grade title by bestselling writer-illustrator duo Magdalena Hai and Teemu Juhani, whose Little Shop of Nightmares series has already been sold to 13 countries.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Miss Swift lives happily alone in a very extraordinary house that has tigers in the garden and a ghost in the living room. She doesn’t have family, friends, and even people in the pictures on the wall have disappeared.
But one day three children appear on her doorstep, and seems like she might have forgotten something very important…
The answer can be found behind a locked door in the third floor. What’s behind the door you might ask? It’s Miss Swift’s past.

Request the English reading materials for Miss Swift’s Weird and Wonderful House by clicking here!

We are also glad to announce that we now have another sale for PRINCESS RASCAL series!
Danish rights for both books were acquired by Gads Forlag. Previously, PRINCESS RASCAL was acquired by Nieko Rimto in Lithuania.

Princess Rascal is a spirited and resourceful little girl with a great imagination, like the kid sister of Pippi Longstocking!
The heartwarming and funny picture books are written by Elina Hirvonen and illustrated by Mervi Lindman – 2 titles have been published thus far.

Request the full English pdfs for the Princess Rascal series by clicking here!

ABOUT THE SERIES:

#1 PRINCESS RASCAL is a picture book about a little girl who knows her mind and has a heart of gold, though sometimes it’s difficult to know the right thing to do. The book has been praised for its accurate and hilarious depictions of everyday life in a toddler family: sometimes parents get tired, too.

#2 PRINCESS RASCAL AND POTTY WORDS Princess Rascal starts pre-school. She’s nervous about her new mates and new teacher. Especially nervous she is about going to the toilet. When she uses toilet words in a completely wrong situation, she’s sure that she is the most embarrassing girl in the world. But a solution for the problem can be found in her secret treasure chest.

“If your child can’t stop laughing at potty words, then this book is the best Christmas present.
The book made such an impression on the 5-year old in our family that it was read dozens of times a day for a week…. And in the starring role is Princess Rascal’s stunning imagination that rescues her from trouble!”

– Janica Vilen, Turun Seutusanomat newspaper, Finland on PRINCESS RASCAL AND POTTY WORDS

MISS SWIFT’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL HOUSE
Neiti Kymenen ihmeellinen talo,
Otava, July 2020, 250 pp.
Ages 7+

Rights sold:

FINLAND:
Otava (orig.)

 

 

PRINCESS RASCAL SERIES:

Prinsessa Rämäpää
Tammi, 2017 42pp
Prinsessa Rämäpää ja vessasanat
Tammi, 2019 42pp

Rights sold:

FINLAND:
Tammi (orig.)

DENMARK:
Gads Forlag
LITHUANIA:
Nieko Rimto

Elina Hirvonen


Elina Hirvonen is an author of adults’ and children’s prose, a journalist and documentary filmmaker. She has written four highly acclaimed adults’ novels that are at the same time tragic and beautiful. She is also known for her picture book series Princess Rascal, and a middle-grade trilogy Julia & P.A.L. 

She has received Kalevi Jäntti Prize, and Nuori Aleksis Prize and has been nominated for Finlandia Prize and Debut Prize.

Author page

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Mervi Lindman


Mervi Lindman (b.1971) is a much-loved illustrator whose cheerful artworks have been published in 19 different countries to date. Lindman’s illustrations have been regularly appraised by critics and public alike, and she has received several grants to support her art work.

Author page

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Salla Simukka’s DETAINED sold to Estonia, Magdalena Hai’s THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 3 to Sweden

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Salla Simukka’s DETAINED sold to Estonia, Magdalena Hai’s THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES 3 to Sweden
We are happy to share excellent new deals for our children’s and YA titles!

DETAINED by Salla Simukka has been sold to Pegasus in Estonia.

Salla Simukka’s previous bestselling Young Adult SNOW WHITE trilogy sold to 52 countries around the world.

In her new exciting YA novel DETAINED, a group of teenagers find themselves jailed for the crimes they are yet to commit. They must figure out their future crimes and confess them before turning 18 years old and staying in jail. The clock is ruthlessly ticking.

The first foreign deal for the title was completed on Salla Simukka’s birthday and only one day after the original Finnish publication date.

Congratulations, Salla!

Ask for the English sample and synopsis for DETAINED by clicking here.

THE LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series continues, 3rd book now sold to Sweden, Estonia and Romania!

The wonderful younger middle-grade series has already sold to 13 countries, but rights are still available in: France, United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Poland, Lithuania, Slovenia, China, Bulgaria, Greece etc.

Ask for English texts and pdfs for the series by clicking here.

Book 3 will be published in Finland in September, but Hegas forlag in Sweden already secured the rights to the 3rd book STICKY THE HORRIBLE SNOWMAN.
The rights were previously aquired by Postimees in Estonia and Univers in Romania.

Congratulations Magdalena Hai and illustrator Teemu Juhani!

“We are really happy to publish The Little Shop of Nightmares in Swedish. It is a wonderful book series with humor and just the right amount of spookiness. The hilarious characters and imaginative world enchants even the most reluctant reader. It is also a wonderful reading experience for adults who want to read with their kids.”
– Malin Nyman, Publisher, Hegas, Sweden

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Salla Simukka


Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 52 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013.

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences. These days she writes books for young adults and children, and travels the world talking about them.

Author page Author Facebook

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Russian rights sold for ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH

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Today we are very happy to announce that Laura Ertimo and Satu Kontinen’s ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH now has a Russian publisher.
The publishing house is AST – one of the biggest publishers in Russia.

Here is what they said about the title:

“We are happy to be the future publisher of this beautiful book. Those maps of the enchanted planet Earth will help children learn a lot more about our planet and will fascinate the adults, too. We feel that such wonderful books may become even more important in this time of uncertainty to show us that life on the planet Earth still goes on and on.”

– Anastasia Filippova, AST Publishing Group, Russia

About the book:

ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH
by Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Satu Kontinen

There is a planet where plants plan world domination. Where beasts are good, and trees live for thousands of years, collecting memories in their bark. This enchanted place is Earth.

This book has 10 stories and 10 maps. They may sound or look like they are out of a fairy-tale, but they are real, true maps of our planet. The Enchanted Planet Earth is a children’s non-fiction book that also engages adults. Through magical maps, it teaches about nature, oceans and the history of continents. The stories also provide a context where adults and kids can discuss environmental issues and how people’s actions affect nature. Through narratives, the book explains the real processes that change our planet and make the Earth habitable.

Rights sold:

FINLAND (orig.): Kustantamo S&S
RUSSIA: AST

 

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

Satu Kontinen


Satu Kontinen (b. 1976) is a graphic designer and illustrator obsessed with flowers. She is known for her detailed ink works as well as creating quirky creatures and imaginary worlds that spark the imagination of kids and adults alike. She has been awarded for designing and illustrating one of the most beautiful books/book covers in Finland (_Vuoden kaunein kirja_ by the Finnish Book Art Committee) in 2008, 2015, 2016 and in 2018. In 2004 she was nominated for the Finlandia Junior Prize and in 2017 she was one of the top 10 finalists in the prestigious Rudolf Koivu illustration awards. In 2020 she was given a Merit Award in the Three x Three International Illustration Awards.

In her free time Satu enjoys designing floral fabrics and writing children's and YA fiction in secrecy. Maybe some day she will show them to a publisher.

Author page

Watch Elina Hirvonen talk about Julia & P.A.L// Introducing – Enchanted Planet Earth

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Introducing: Julia & P.A.L. by Elina Hirvonen

Toy Story meets The Avengers! The first part of the new exciting middle-grade series where plush animals have super powers.

More than anything else, Julia, 10 years, wishes that somebody would like her. She can explain the structure of the universe, but has no idea how to talk to her classmates. What she doesn’t know is that she already has her very own best friend – her toy bunny Buck, who in reality is a top secret agent of the Plush Animal League (P.A.L.).

See the author reading from the book by clicking on the video below.

Ask for the English sample for Julia & P.A.L here.

 

Introducing: Enchanted Planet Earth by Laura Ertimo

There is a planet where plants plan world domination. Where beasts are good, and trees live for thousands of years, collecting memories in their bark. This enchanted place is Earth.

This book has 10 stories, and 10 maps. They may sound or look like they are out of a fairy-tale, but they are real, true maps of our planet. The Enchanted Planet Earth is a children’s non-fiction book that also engages adults. Through magical maps it teaches about nature, oceans and the history of continents. The stories also provide a context where adults and kids can discuss the environmental issues and how people’s actions affect nature. Through narratives the book explains the real processes that change our planet and make the Earth habitable.

Ask for the English sample and full Finnish pdf for Enchanted Planet Earth here.

Map of migratory birds and animals.

Elina Hirvonen


Elina Hirvonen is an author of adults’ and children’s prose, a journalist and documentary filmmaker. She has written four highly acclaimed adults’ novels that are at the same time tragic and beautiful. She is also known for her picture book series Princess Rascal, and a middle-grade trilogy Julia & P.A.L. 

She has received Kalevi Jäntti Prize, and Nuori Aleksis Prize and has been nominated for Finlandia Prize and Debut Prize.

Author page

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

Nadja Sarell


Nadja Sarell is an illustrator living in Helsinki, Finland. She graduated with MA in Dance from Theatre Academy Helsinki. Soon after that she moved to a small town in North Wales to study children’s book illustration. She graduated from North Wales School of Art and Design with BA in Illustration for Children’s Publishing in 2004.

Since then she has worked as a freelance illustrator for children’s publishing in Finland and abroad. She loves to teach art, illustration and dance for both children and adults. She is also passionate about surface pattern design and enjoys creating charismatic, expressive book characters.
If Nadja was an animal, she would be a cat living in an old mansion with a large fireplace and a comfy sofa. Her favourite things are her family, music, dancing, black coffee and chocolate.

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

Satu Kontinen


Satu Kontinen (b. 1976) is a graphic designer and illustrator obsessed with flowers. She is known for her detailed ink works as well as creating quirky creatures and imaginary worlds that spark the imagination of kids and adults alike. She has been awarded for designing and illustrating one of the most beautiful books/book covers in Finland (_Vuoden kaunein kirja_ by the Finnish Book Art Committee) in 2008, 2015, 2016 and in 2018. In 2004 she was nominated for the Finlandia Junior Prize and in 2017 she was one of the top 10 finalists in the prestigious Rudolf Koivu illustration awards. In 2020 she was given a Merit Award in the Three x Three International Illustration Awards.

In her free time Satu enjoys designing floral fabrics and writing children's and YA fiction in secrecy. Maybe some day she will show them to a publisher.

Author page

SISTERLAND by Salla Simukka getting rave reviews in the US

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We are thrilled to share some of the rave reviews that Salla Simukka’s middle-grade novel Sisterland has gotten since its recent US publication.

Fall under the spell of this contemporary fairy tale that’s perfect for fans of Emily Winfield Martin’s Snow & Rose and the Chronicles of Narnia series. English edition available. Translated by Owen Witesman.

 

While a few readers may wish for longer pauses in this Odyssey-paced journey, most will delight in the wondrous details and flexible metaphors.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A girl-centered hero’s journey, at once princess-free and enchanting.”
—Kirkus

“A humorous, delightfully sweet tale of magic and sisterhood.”
—Booklist

“The enchanting writing contains rich descriptions and similes, and will be accessible to reluctant readers.“
—School Library Journal

“Enjoy the plethora of fantastic creatures and the paean to friendship.”
—Bulletin

“This book is gorgeous, lush, and dreamy with the atmosphere of fairy tales we all know and love. It’s Alice Through the Looking Glass, but for this generation. It’s a beautiful exploration of friendship and the way children forget, of bravery and the beauty of remembering.”
— Book Shop of Fort Collins, USA

 

About the book:

Welcome to Sisterland, a fantastical world where it is always summer. The most enchanting magic of all, though, is Alice’s new friend Marissa. But as the girls explore the strange land, they learn Sisterland’s endless summer comes at a price. Back on Earth, their homes are freezing over. To save their families, Alice and Marissa must outwit the powerful Queen Lili. But the deeper they go into Sisterland, the less Alice and Marissa remember about their homes, their lives before, and what they are fighting for. A wondrous tale about heroism, loyalty, and friendship from one of the most celebrated Finnish children’s authors.

About the author:
Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 52 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013.
Her new YA novel, Detained, will be published in the fall 2020.

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (Orig.)
ARAB WORLD, Arab Scientific Publishers
BELGIUM, Clavis
CHINA, Hunan Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House
ESTONIA, Pegasus
FRANCE, Hachette Livre
JAPAN, Nishimura
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
NETHERLANDS, Clavis
UNITED STATES, Random House/Crown (World English)

Reading materials:
English edition

Salla Simukka


Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 52 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013.

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences. These days she writes books for young adults and children, and travels the world talking about them.

Author page Author Facebook

Bibliography


Salla Simukka

In the Dark I Can Be Yours

2021, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

Detained

2020, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

Turn off the Lights! Turn on the Lights!

2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

Sisterland

2016, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Salla Simukka

As Black as Ebony

2014, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

As Red as Blood

2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

As White as Snow

2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

Elsewhere

2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

Without a trace

2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Related news

EALA Spring 2020 Children’s & YA Rights Guide is published!

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EALA Spring 2020 Children’s & YA Rights Guide is published!

Download the guide here!
 

This Spring 2020 we are thrilled to introduce new wonderful middle-grade adventures, a startling YA thriller and a new non-fiction series by bestselling & award-winning Finnish authors:

Elina Hirvonen has written a new exciting middle-grade series, illustrated beautifully by Nadja Sarell:  Julia & P.A.L.  is the first part of the series where plush animals have superpowers. Pitched as Toy Story meets The Avengers!
Come with Julia to Plush Animal League headquarters in space where all children are monitored by their stuffed animals in case they need help.

Salla Simukka, Finland’s most internationally translated contemporary author, has written a YA thriller Detained,  a startling story of a world where teenagers are getting captured and imprisoned for the crimes they are expected to commit in the future.

In Non-Fiction, we are excited about a new Mini Science series for the smallest in the family.  Where Are You? is written by our bestselling non-fiction author Laura Ertimo and illustrated by Sanna Pelliccioni,  and tackles big science questions with lovely illustrations, and encourages kids to wonder and ask questions.

Our bestselling children’s series  The Little Shop of Nightmares by Magdalena Hai and Teemu Juhani is now sold in 13 territories, and Weird Weather  by Laura Ertimo and Mari Ahokoivu is also sold in 13 territories.

Browse through our Spring Rights Guide 2020, find your next bestseller, and we’ll be happy to send you reading materials

 

Portál in Czech Republic completes the Monster Nanny trilogy!

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Portál in Czech Republic completes the Monster Nanny trilogy!
We are very happy to announce another deal for Monster Nanny trilogy!

Czech publisher Portál acquired the rights for the third part of Monster Nanny series: Monster Message, thus completing the trilogy!

Monster Nanny trilogy has already sold to 28 countries and a feature film is in development by Scott Free Productions.

Request the full English materials for Monster Nanny trilogy by clicking here.

CZECH PRAISE FOR TUUTIKKI TOLONEN:

“Reality blends with dreams in the stories of Tuutikki Tolonen, just as children like. We are extremely happy that her books are published in our publishing house and that we can introduce them to Czech readers.”
– Hana Zobačová, Portál, Czech Republic

MONSTER NANNY TRILOGY:

Book 1: Monster Nanny
Mörkövahti. Tammi 2015, 300 pp.

The Hellman children must make do with a nanny while their mother is away at a spa. The only problem? Their nanny is a monster.

Grah is hairy, dusty, and doesn’t talk. When the siblings discover that other neighborhood kids have been left with similar creatures, they start to wonder where the monsters came from. With the parents away, the kids work together (between bickering) to figure out the mystery of the monsters.
Book 2: Monster Route
Mörköreitti. Tammi 2016, 280 pp.

Mimi 6 years, has snuck into the monsters’ underground world after her monster friend Grah. She travels in their tunnels, led by the odd Gate Keeper. Back at home, Koby and Halley put their heads together and manage to get in touch with Mimi. But who is the mysterious and frightening ruler of the monster world?

Book 3: Monster Message
Mörköviesti, Tammi, March 2020, 250 pp.

Hellman kids face new troubles. Mom and Dad want to move into a bigger home on the other side of the city. Mimi’s talking bathrobe feels strangely shrunk, and drops hints of leaving. Monstrologist Runar Kalli is starting to act his age without his rejuvenating root potion – and he’s 122. Something must be done. When Mimi finds crumpled leaves with strange markings in her room, they look like messages from underground, but who’s delivering them and why? And why does the Gatekeeper of the underground world appear in their bathroom?

The three books are all illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen.

PS! Are you attending Bologna Children’s Book Fair? So are we! Send us a meeting request to info@ahlbackagency.com and let’s discuss Monster Nanny and our new spring list in Bologna!

MONSTER NANNY SERIES:

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (orig. publisher)

AUSTRALIA, Allen & Unwin
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
DENMARK, Turbine
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NEW ZEALAND, Allen & Unwin
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
OCEANIA, Allen & Unwin
POLAND, Vesper
PORTUGAL, Asa Editiones/Leya
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
UNITED STATES: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

New year’s sales for WEIRD WEATHER and MONSTER NANNY trilogy!

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We are very happy to start the new year with 3 new children’s deals!

Weird Weather! Why Does Climate Change? was just acquired by Ordinal Books for the Latin American Spanish market.

The book was only published in October 2019 and has already sold to Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey!

The accurate but hopeful children’s non-fiction book explains how humans are responsible for climate change and what we can do to ensure a brighter future. It also gives tips on how everyone can make better choices and practice climate skills every day. The book is written by Laura Ertimo and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu.

Request the reading materials for Weird Weather here!

Chinese publisher Beijing Children and Juvenile Publishing House acquired the rights for both Tuutikki Tolonen’s Monster Route and Monster Message, completing the Monster Nanny trilogy!

Monster Nanny trilogy has already sold to 28 countries and a feature film is in development by Scott Free Productions.

Request the full English materials for Monster Nanny trilogy by clicking here.
MONSTER NANNY TRILOGY:

Book 1: Monster Nanny
Mörkövahti. Tammi 2015, 300 pp.

The Hellman children must make do with a nanny while their mother is away at a spa. The only problem? Their nanny is a monster.

Grah is hairy, dusty, and doesn’t talk. When the siblings discover that other neighborhood kids have been left with similar creatures, they start to wonder where the monsters came from. With the parents away, the kids work together (between bickering) to figure out the mystery of the monsters.
Book 2: Monster Route
Mörköreitti. Tammi 2016, 280 pp.

Mimi 6 years, has snuck into the monsters’ underground world after her monster friend Grah. She travels in their tunnels, led by the odd Gate Keeper. Back at home, Koby and Halley put their heads together and manage to get in touch with Mimi. But who is the mysterious and frightening ruler of the monster world?

Book 3: Monster Message
Mörköviesti, Tammi, March 2020, 250 pp.

Hellman kids face new troubles. Mom and Dad want to move into a bigger home on the other side of the city. Mimi’s talking bathrobe feels strangely shrunk, and drops hints of leaving. Monstrologist Runar Kalli is starting to act his age without his rejuvenating root potion – and he’s 122. Something must be done. When Mimi finds crumpled leaves with strange markings in her room, they look like messages from underground, but who’s delivering them and why? And why does the Gatekeeper of the underground world appear in their bathroom?

The three books are all illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen.
Don’t forget that until 1st of February you can apply for a FILI grant covering up to 70% of the translation costs and another covering up to 1000€ children’s books’ printing costs. More info from FILI’s website.

WEIRD WEATHER
Ihme ilmat!
Into Kustannus 2019, 48 pp.
235 x 250 mm, four-color-illustrations

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Into Kustannus (orig.)

ESTONIA: Avita
HUNGARY: Ciceró Könyvstúdió
ITALY: Mondadori/Edizioni Piemme
LITHUANIA: Obuolys
MEXICO: (Latin America Spanish rights): Ordinal Books
NORWAY: Aschehoug
POLAND: Amber
SERBIA: Odiseja
SLOVAKIA: Ikar
SPAIN: Astronave
SWEDEN: Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY: Kolektif

 

MONSTER NANNY SERIES:

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (orig. publisher)

AUSTRALIA, Allen & Unwin
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
DENMARK, Turbine
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NEW ZEALAND, Allen & Unwin
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
OCEANIA, Allen & Unwin
POLAND, Vesper
PORTUGAL, Asa Editiones/Leya
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
UNITED STATES: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

Mari Ahokoivu


Mari Ahokoivu (b. 1984) is a Finnish illustrator and a comics artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly drawing graphic novels and comics for children, including Sanni & Joonas and Lola Olifante.  Ahokoivu loves everything cute and scary. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Author page

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Frankfurt Children’s Deals: Weird Weather, Agnes, Little Shop of Nightmares

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Frankfurt Children’s Deals: Weird Weather, Agnes, Little Shop of Nightmares
We are very excited to announce our Frankfurt Book Fair 4 new children’s deals!

Weird Weather: Why Does Climate Change? is an excellent children’s non-fiction book about climate change by Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu. The book was acquired by Aschehoug in Norway and Odiseja in Serbia.
The book was published for only 3 weeks ago and has already sold to 5 territories: Estonia, Italy, Norway, Serbia, and Sweden!About the book: WEIRD WEATHER! Why Does Climate Change? is accurate but hopeful children’s non-fiction book that explains how humans are responsible for climate change and what we can do to ensure a brighter future. It also gives tips on how everyone can make better choices and practice climate skills every day.

Request the almost full English pdf for Weird Weather here!

Danish publisher ABC Forlag acquired the rights for Tuutikki Tolonen’s Agnes and the Garden of Dreams.
The book will be first published in Finland in the beginning of 2020 and the translation rights have already been sold to 3 countries: to Denmark, Estonia and Russia.About the book: Moving to a new city is frightening enough for 11-year-old Agnes. But when she makes an exciting discovery at the local cemetery the summer isn’t the same anymore!

Tuutikki Tolonen is the award-winning author of Monster Nanny trilogy that is sold to 20+ countries worldwide. Agnes and the Garden of Dreams also includes beautiful illustrations by Kati Vuorento.

Request the English reading materials for Agnes here!

Latvian publisher Latvijas Mediji purchased rights for the 1st part of The Little Shop of Nightmares series – The Little Shop of Nightmares: Terrible Tickling Powder.

About the series: The Little Shop of Nightmares by Magdalena Hai and Teemu Juhani is a new early readers’ series about a strange little shop and its employees – who are even stranger. It all starts with 9-year old Nina, who wants to earn money for a bicycle. So she applies to work in a Little Shop of Nightmares!

The lovely early reader’s series has now been sold to 10 territories in 2 months!
“The Little Shop of Nightmares” is a richly illustrated funny tale for children with a fascinating storyline. The book doesn’t only entertain – it also conveys a message to young readers that it is necessary to work and make efforts to fulfill their dreams and let think about topics such as friendship, sincerity, helpfulness, courage, dedication, perseverance.”

– Gunta Apse, Editor, Publishing House Latvijas Mediji, Latvia

Request the full English pdfs for the Little Shop of Nightmares series here!
Rights sold (Weird Weather):

FINLAND:
Into Kustannus (orig.)
ESTONIA:
Eesti Raamat
ITALY:
Mondadori/Edizioni Piemme
NORWAY:
Aschehoug
SERBIA:
Odiseja
SWEDEN:
Rabén & Sjögren

 

Rights sold (Agnes):

FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
DENMARK: ABC Forlag
ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat
RUSSIA: Rosman

 

Rights sold (Little Shop of Nightmares):

FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)
CZECH REPUBLIC:
Euromedia
DENMARK:
Vild Maskine
ESTONIA:
Postimees Publishing
GERMANY:
Egmont Schneiderbuch
HUNGARY:
Cerkabella
LATVIA:
Latvijas Mediji
NETHERLANDS:
De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY:
Fontini
RUSSIA:
Teenbooks Publishing / Kompas Guide
SWEDEN:
Hegas
TURKEY:
Epsilon

Kati Vuorento


Kati Vuorento is an illustrator living and working in Espoo, Finland: ”In small details there is an infinite magic. I want my illustrations to stir emotion in the audience. Empathizing is important to me. In my illustrations, I always include approachable characteristics to even the most hardened anti-hero. This is how I mold the characters into personalities with depth and dimension.”

She is the illustrator of middle-grade Agnes series by Tuutikki Tolonen that was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Mari Ahokoivu


Mari Ahokoivu (b. 1984) is a Finnish illustrator and a comics artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly drawing graphic novels and comics for children, including Sanni & Joonas and Lola Olifante.  Ahokoivu loves everything cute and scary. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Author page

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Russian rights sold for Agnes and the Garden of Dreams!

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The largest children’s books publisher in Russia – Rosman – bought the rights for Tuutikki Tolonen’s Agnes and the Garden of Dreams.

Moving to a new city is frightening enough for 11-year-old Agnes. But when she makes an exciting discovery at the local cemetery the summer isn’t the same anymore!

Tuutikki Tolonen is the award-winning author of Monster Nanny trilogy that is sold to 20+ countries worldwide.  Agnes and the Garden of Dreams also includes beautiful illustrations by Kati Vuorento.

Agnes is a character who is very natural to sympathize with. She is curious, vivid and sincere. Her friendship with Bun is very much likable and heartwarming. To follow these two on their investigation was a great pleasure due to the incredible imagination and excellent writing skill of Tuutikki Tolonen. We believe Tuutikki has a really bright future in such kind of books.
– Polina Vlastovskaya, Head of children’s fiction books department, ROSMAN Publishing house

Request the reading materials for Agnes here!

Rights sold (Agnes):

FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat
RUSSIA: Rosman

Kati Vuorento


Kati Vuorento is an illustrator living and working in Espoo, Finland: ”In small details there is an infinite magic. I want my illustrations to stir emotion in the audience. Empathizing is important to me. In my illustrations, I always include approachable characteristics to even the most hardened anti-hero. This is how I mold the characters into personalities with depth and dimension.”

She is the illustrator of middle-grade Agnes series by Tuutikki Tolonen that was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page Author webpageAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Apply for Finnish translation and printing grants now!

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Do you need financial help with publishing and promoting your next Finnish bestseller?

Finnish Literature Exchange grants can help!
FILI’s grant programme is funded by Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture and it provides foreign publishers with various grants:

Translation grants
Up to 70% of translation costs from Finnish or Finland-Swedish can be covered by a FILI translation grant. There are 3 application periods in a year and the autumn application period has already started and it ends on 01.11.2019

Printing grants
If you are publishing translations of Finnish picture books or comics, you can apply for up to 1000€ printing cost grant. There are 3 application periods in a year and the autumn application period has already started and it ends on 01.11.2019

Promotional grants
If you would like to bring a Finnish author to your country to promote a translation of his/her works, you can apply for a grant that can be used for airfare and accommodation costs of the author. The grant must be applied for a minimum of 2 months before the event is happening.

What if you haven’t bought a Finnish title yet and would like to look into one?

Reader’s report grants
If you need a native speaker to give you a report of a Finnish manuscript, you can apply for a reader’s report grant (for up to 5 reports a year, max 100€ per report).

Sample translation grants
If you need a sample translation of the work which you are considering.

Now go pick out your next Finnish bestseller from our new Fall Catalogue and apply for the FILI grants already this month!

See the full conditions and apply for all the FILI grants here: https://www.finlit.fi/fili/en/grants/

Four new deals for The Little Shop of Nightmares

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Magdalena Hai and Teemu Juhani’s quirky and hilarious early reader’s series The Little Shop of Nightmares has been the biggest hit of this late summer! We couldn’t be more excited to announce these 4 new deals, that make the number of territories 8 in total!

In Denmark we closed the deal with Vild Maskine, the Dutch rights were acquired by De Vier Windstreken, Czech rights went to Euromedia, and in Turkey Epsilon bought the rights.

“We really like the Little Shop of Nightmares series, and we’re sure that the Danish children will love the universe as well. Simply just cute and funny little books, but the illustrations really take it to another level: all pages are inspiring to look at, with a lot of details for the young readers.”
– Mads Heinesen, Publisher, Vild Maskine, Denmark

“A little bit spooky, a lot of fun!”
– Nathalie Bierhuizen, De Vier Windstreken, The Netherlands

The Little Shop of Nightmares by Magdalena Hai and Teemu Juhani is a new early readers’ series about a strange little shop and its employees – who are even stranger.

Book 1: The Terrible Tickling Powder
WSOY 2018, 64 pp.
Full English PDF

Book 2: The Lost Teeth
WSOY 2019, 64 pp.
Full English PDF

Rights sold:

FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
CZECH REPUBLIC: Euromedia
DENMARK: Vild Maskine
GERMANY: Egmont Schneiderbuch
NETHERLANDS: De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY: Fontini
SWEDEN: Hegas
TURKEY: Epsilon
RUSSIA: Teenbooks Publishing / Kompas Guide

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Allen & Unwin acquires Australian and New Zealand rights to Monster Nanny!

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We are absolutely thrilled to share the wonderful news that ALLEN & UNWIN has acquired Australian and New Zealand and Oceania rights to Tuutikki Tolonen’s internationally bestselling MONSTER NANNY (Tammi 2015) and will publish the book in Australia and New Zealand in Spring 2020 with Pasi Pitkänen’s charming illustrations.

Rights are now sold in 26 territories and a feature film is in development with Scott Free Productions and Ridley Scott co-producing.

Allen & Unwin is Australia’s leading independent publisher and has been voted “Publisher of the Year” thirteen times including the inaugural award in 1992 and eleven times since 2000.

“Allen & Unwin are delighted to be publishing Tuutikki Tolonen’s MONSTER NANNY in Australia and New Zealand. Like others before us, we fell in love with the matter-of-fact way Tuutikki Tolonen’s contemporary world intersects with the fantastical. And what a delightful fantastical world it is: those non-talking dusty monsters, the oracle-like talking bathrobe, those fierce monster-piercing pixies. All very strange and yet completely believable. It’s dreamlike and funny – and very much a world I’d love to inhabit!”

– Anna McFarlane | Publisher, Books for Children and Young Adults | Allen & Unwin, Australia & New Zealand,  Publisher of the Year 2016

Rights sold: 

FINLAND, Tammi (orig.)
AUSTRALIA, Allen & Unwin
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
DENMARK, Turbine
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NEW ZEALAND, Allen & Unwin
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
OCEANIA, Allen & Unwin
POLAND, Vesper
PORTUGAL, Asa Editiones/Leya
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
WORLD ENGLISH, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

EALA Fall Children’s & YA Rights Guide and New Deals

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Our new Fall catalogues are here: we have wonderful new titles, and big announcements of new deals!

Browse our Children’s and YA catalogue here.
Or download our full Fall catalogue here!

Here is a round-up of all of your brand new children’s & young adult titles for this fall.

Imaginary Girl by Aino Louhi
(Mielikuvitustyttö, Suuri Kurpitsa 2019)

Young love is often fragile and tragic. But it’s also beautiful and unforgettable. Discover the story of the imaginary girl in this breathtaking graphic novel.

Agnes and the Garden of Dreams by Tuutikki Tolonen, illustrated by Kati Vuorento
(Agnes ja unien avain, WSOY 2020)

Moving to a new city is frightening enough for 11-year-old Agnes. But when she makes an exciting discovery at the local cemetery the summer isn’t the same anymore!

The Estonian rights to this wonderful middle-grade book were sold last week to Eesti Raamat!

Rights sold: Estonia, Eesti Raamat

 

Hilja series by Heidi Viherjuuri, illustrated by Nadja Sarell 
(Hilja-sarja, Mäkelä 2017-2019)

Meet Hilja, an energetic and curious little girl, and her three granny friends! Three books published and more to come!

Perfect for 6-11 year olds!

Rights sold: Germany, WooW Books

 

How to Greet an Alien by Petri Tamminen, illustrated by Valpuri Kerttula
(Kun kohtaat avaruusolennon, Karisto 2019)

Sweet and funny picture book that teaches you how to meet Aliens — can be used with humans as well.

Alma’s Monster Party by Satu Kettunen
(Mörköjuhlat, Tammi 2019)

Alma’s family has moved to a new house. It is big, and bleak, and far from the neighbors. Alma is certain that they aren’t alone in the house: she sees shadows fleeing in the corners, and hears footsteps of all kinds of monsters. Alma’s mother is a party planner, and that gives her an idea: She will throw a party for all the ghosts and ogres.

Weird Weather by Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu
(Ihme ilmat, Into Kustannus 2019)

Sold in Estonia!

Climate changes, so should we! This book answers children’s tough questions about climate change, and tells how we can all fight against it.

Rights sold: ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat

NEW DEAL:

The Little Shop of Nightmares by Magdalena Hai and Teemu Juhani.
(Painajaispuoti-sarja, WSOY 2018, 2019)

This hilarious horror for early readers has been our highlight for the summer! The Norwegian rights were just sold to Fontini in Norway!

“The Little Shop of Nightmares takes the reader straight into a fantastic world where everything can happen. And it does! Its scary, funny and entertaining. Lots of wonderful details and interesting characters. That’s where every child wants to be!”
– Lindy Andersen, Publisher, Fontini, Norway

Rights sold: GERMANY: Egmont Schneiderbuch, NORWAY: Fontini, RUSSIA: Teenbooks Publishing / KompassGuide, SWEDEN: Hegas

 

New sales for Monster Nanny, Little Mouse and The Monster Tournament

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Amazing news about our wonderful children’s titles!

Monster Nanny celebrates its 25th foreign sale as Turbine bought the Danish rights to this adorable middle-grade series with a Hollywood feature film being developed.

”Crazy fun to read with kids… very, very beautifully made… The illustrations are perfect because they create a second layer to the story, which is what illustrations are supposed to do. They tell their own story and visualize Grah, Hilla, Kaapo and Maikki perfectly.” – Ines Dettmann, Deutschlandfunk

 

Riikka Jäntti’s Little Mouse travels far far away as Kathalaya acquired the Nepalese rights to the first 3 books of the series! Kathalaya’s mission is to bring foreign stories to the Nepalese readers while increasing the literacy rate and the culture of reading.

 

Get ready for the Monster Tournament! Pasi Pitkänen is one of the Finland’s most sought-after illustrators, and in his second solo-project he has created a colorful action-packed picture book. The first foreign sales to The Monster Tournament was to Egypt, where Ink Publishing acquired the World Arabic rights.

 

Rights sold (Monster Nanny):
Original publisher: FINLAND, Tammi
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
DENMARK, Turbine
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
POLAND, Vesper
PORTUGAL, Asa Editiones/Leya
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
WORLD ENGLISH, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Right sold (Little Mouse series):
FINLAND, Tammi (Original publisher)
AUSTRALIA, Scribble/Scribe
CHINA, Beijing Yuntu Tech
DENMARK, ABC Forlag
NEPAL, Kathalaya
NEW ZEALAND, Scribble/Scribe
UK, Scribble/Scribe

Rights sold (Monster Tournament):
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
WORLD ARABIC: Ink Publishing

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Riikka Jäntti


Riikka Jäntti, a 2003 graduate of University of Industrial Art of Helsinki, now part of Aalto University, is a Helsinki-based illustrator and author who has created art for both nonfiction and fairy tale books for children. Her first children’s book was published in 2005. Jäntti is best known for the adorable Little Mouse series that has publishers in 16 territories, including Australia, Nepal, and China!

In her illustrations, she uses pen and ink as well as watercolor and gouache. In 2009 Jäntti won the first-ever Tieto-Lauri, an award for children’s and juvenile non-fiction, for her illustrations in Viidakkotanssi (Jungle Dance). The book was written by Markku Löytönen about the explorer Rafael Karsten in Ecuador.

Author page

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

New deals for Monster Nanny in Portugal and Czech Republic – rights sold in 24 territories

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We are thrilled to announce our pre-Bologna news about Monster Nanny – now sold to 24 territories! Editoras Asa/Leya was happy to acquire Portuguese rights to this bestselling middle-grade adventure by Tuutikki Tolonen and Pasi Pitkänen.

“A fantastic and exhilarating story, full of that kind of craziness that I’m sure will appeal to all kinds of readers!”
–Vítor Silva Mota, Editor, Literatura Infantojuvenil e BD, Edições ASA e Texto Editores

More good news come from Czech Republic, where Tuutikki’s publisher Portál acquired rights to the sequel; Monster Route.

If you haven’t bought the rights to this international bestseller (or books 2 or 3) – hurry up! The Hollywood feature film based on Monster Nanny is being developed by Scott Free Productions!

BOOK 1: MONSTER NANNY
What happens when three ordinary kids get a troll-like monster nanny for the summer?

BOOK 2: MONSTER ROUTE
Monsters’ underground world is full of wonders… and dangers not suitable for human kids.

BOOK 3: MONSTER MESSAGE
Hellman kids face new troubles. Mom and Dad want to move into a bigger home on the other side of the city. Mimi’s talking bathrobe feels strangely shrunk, and drops hints of leaving. Monstrologist Runar Kalli is starting to act his age without his rejuvenating root potion – and he’s 122. Something must be done. When Mimi finds crumpled leaves with strange markings in her room, they look like messages from underground, but who’s delivering them and why? And why does the Gatekeeper of the underground world appear in their bathroom?

Rights Sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (Original publisher)
BOSNIA, Šahinpašic
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
THE NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
POLAND, Vesper
PORTUGAL, Edições ASA/Leya
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
UNITED STATES, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Book 1)

FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Hanser Verlag acquires German rights to Monster Nanny Book 3: The Monster Message

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Pitched as ”The Monstrous Mary Poppins” the Monster Nanny series has sold to 23 territories! The German publisher Carl Hanser Verlag acquired the rights to the 3rd book of the series, Monster Message, which will be published in 2020.

Reihe Hanser is also launching the pocket book editions of Monster Nanny and Monster Route, which will be out in the fall 2019.

If you haven’t bought the rights to books 2 or 3 – hurry up! The Hollywood feature film based on Monster Nanny is being developed by Scott Free Productions!

BOOK 3: MONSTER MESSAGE
Hellman kids face new troubles. Mom and Dad want to move into a bigger home on the other side of the city. Mimi’s talking bathrobe feels strangely shrunk, and drops hints of leaving. Monstrologist Runar Kalli is starting to act his age without his rejuvenating root potion – and he’s 122. Something must be done. When Mimi finds crumpled leaves with strange markings in her room, they look like messages from underground, but who’s delivering them and why? And why does the Gatekeeper of the underground world appear in their bathroom?

* * *

“Crazy fun to read with kids… very, very beautifully made… The illustrations are perfect because they create a second layer to the story, which is what illustrations are supposed to do. They tell their own story and visualize Grah, Hilla, Kaapo and Maikki perfectly.” – Ines Dettmann, Deutschlandfunk

”The upbeat tone, oddball details, and Pitkänen’s humorous b&w cartoons combine to create a strange but entertaining romp that will surprise readers at every turn.” – Publishers Weekly, USA

“This riddle-filled story is original, touching, incredible.” – Livresse des Livres blog, France

Rights Sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (Original publisher)
BOSNIA, Šahinpašic
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
THE NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
POLAND, Vesper
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
UNITED STATES, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Book 1)

FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Bibliography


Tuutikki Tolonen

Agnes and the Shadow in the Window

2022, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Tuutikki Tolonen

Agnes and the Mysterious Manor

2021, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Tuutikki Tolonen

Monster Message

2020, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Tuutikki Tolonen

Agnes and the Garden of Dreams

2020, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Tuutikki Tolonen

Monster Route

2016, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Tuutikki Tolonen

Monster Nanny

2015, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Related news

New sales for Salla Simukka, Magdalena Hai and The Fox Who Painted the Sky

Posted on

We have great news to share with you! We have recently closed three deals for children’s and YA books.

Salla Simukka’s new collection of YA short stories Turn Off the Lights! Turn on the Lights! was sold to Zvaigzne in Latvia. The stories’ genre ranges from horror to romance to sci-fi and realism, showing the lives of all kinds of teens and young adults. The flip-book lets the reader see the both sides of life: the good and happy, and the dark and scary.

“Salla Simukka’s created characters are fascinating, they don’t leave our mind after the last page are closed. But are there the last page at all? You can turn the book and start reading once more, from a different point of view. Unique concept and diverse stylistics.”
– Marite Gulbe, Zvaigzne

Magdalena Hai’s adorable ghost story The Little Shop of Nightmares for early readers was sold to KompasGuide/The Teenbook Publishing in Russia. This is a first part of series that will follow the adventures of a 9-year-old Ninni who works in a shop of nightmares.

“It’s difficult to find a good middle grade book. It should be exciting, encouraging and at the same time well-balanced between clarity of the books one has read before and complicity of the ones he or she is yet to read. The Little Shop of Nightmares by Magdalena Hai is definitely one of that kind: we were captured by its amusing combination of bizarre magic and clever humor with hidden messages for those who look deeper. Let alone the resemblance to Gravity Falls series! ”
– Igor Grizhuk, Foreign Rights Manager, KompasGuide Publishing House

The lovely and colorful picture book The Fox Who Painted the Sky by Mila Teräs and Karoliina Partamo was sold to Knesebeck Verlag in Germany.

“The wonderful illustrations of ‘The Fox who painted the sky’ instantly charmed us – and as soon we had read the surprising ending, our hearts were won over. We’re very happy to welcome this artistic fox into our Knesebeck-family!”
– Tatjana Kröll, Head of children’s books, Knesebeck Verlag

This picture book combines collage and painting with enchanting story and funny poems!

 

Request reading materials for Turn Off the Lights! Turn On the Lights!
Request reading materials for the Little Shop of Nightmares!
Request reading materials for The Fox Who Painted the Sky!

Rights sold:
Turn Off the Lights! Turn On the Lights!
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
LATVIA: Zvaigzne

Rights sold:
The Little Shop of Nightmares
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
RUSSIA: KompasGuide/The Teenbooks Publishing

Rights sold:
The Fox Who Painted the Sky
FINLAND: Karisto (orig.)
GERMANY:
Knesebeck Verlag

Karoliina Pertamo


Karoliina Pertamo is an artist who has illustrated more than 30 books. She works with a bright color palette and also uses collage in her charmingly naïvist work. She has been nominated for the Rudolf Koivu Prize and Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize, and received The Society of Swedish Literature in Finland Award.

Author page

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Mila Teräs


Mila Teräs has been nominated for several prizes, like for the prestigious Topelius Prize in 2006 & 2013, and for the Anni Polva Prize in 2013. She was shortlisted for IBBY honors list 2007, and her and Karoliina Pertamo’s previous collaborations were nominated for the most renowned children’s literary prize in Finland, the Finlandia Prize, in 2014 and 2015.

Two books from Mila Teräs’ middle-grade Telma series have been translated into German. She has written for kids, youngsters and adults.

Author page

Salla Simukka


Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 52 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013.

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences. These days she writes books for young adults and children, and travels the world talking about them.

Author page Author Facebook

Monster Nanny sold to 22 languages, new reviews for our children’s highlights

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Frankfurt is around the corner and we’re gearing up for the biggest and the most beautiful book fair of the year. We’ve got a lot of fantastic children’s books to introduce to you.

The highlights include the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize nominee 2018 The Grumblebelly Cat by Magdalena Hai, the Monster Nanny series by Tuutikki Tolonen and the new title in Maria Turtschaninoff’s Red Abbey Chronicles: Letters from Maresi.

We’re thrilled to announce the 22nd foreign rights deal for our hit series Monster Nanny written by Tuutikki Tolonen and illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen. The novel was sold to Vesper in Poland, and they are glad about the acquisition of this novel, which is being developed into a Hollywood feature film by Scott Free Productions:

“Well written, imaginative, warm and addictive. One of the best children novels we have ever read!” said Jakub Kozłowski, rights manager of Vesper, Poland.

The new titles by our children’s & YA authors have been receiving great reviews in the press:

Turn On the Lights! Turn Off the Lights! by Salla Simukka
“The dark side of the book can be a frightening experience for readers of all ages. The light side is pure joy!” – Etelä-Suomen Sanomat newspaper

Letters from Maresi by Maria Turtschaninoff
“Turtschaninoff’s literary universe can be compared to that of the biggest names in the genre. The Letters from Maresi is a rich, skilfully written epistolary novel that shows that Maria Turtschaninoff gets better and better with each novel. She is an incomparable narrator.” – Yle broadcaster

The Third Sister by Magdalena Hai
“The world of the first installment of the Royaume Chronicles is abundant and filled with meanings. […] This fantasy world can be enjoyed by youngsters and adults alike” – Aamulehti newspaper ****

Rights sold: Monster Nanny
Original publisher: FINLAND, Tammi
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
POLAND, Vesper
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
WORLD ENGLISH, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Maria Turtschaninoff


Maria Turtschaninoff is known for crafting lyrical, historically inspired fantasy stories starring strong female protagonists. In addition to J.R.R. Tolkien, she counts Philip Pullman, Ursula K. Le Guin and C.S. Lewis among her favorite authors. She is a two-time winner of the Society of Swedish Literature Prize, a nominee for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and winner of the 2014 Finlandia Junior Prize. Maria has a Master of Arts in human ecology and works full-time as a writer.

Author page Author webpageAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Teemu Juhani


Teemu Juhani is a Finnish illustrator, comic artist and picture book author whose illustrations have been published in picture books and children's fiction in over 20 countries. In addition to children's books Teemu has illustrated magazines and educational material. Originally from the fields and woods of North Karelia, Teemu now lives, works and eats way too many cakes in Helsinki.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Dressler/Oetinger acquires the German rights to the prize-winning fairytale The Grumblebelly Cat at auction

Posted on

The first foreign rights deal for The Grumblebelly Cat by Magdalena Hai has been struck! The book is one of our children’s books’ highlights, a multiple prize-winner and a fantasy tale like the Brothers Grimm would have written in the 21st century.

Dressler Verlag, a publisher within the renowned German publishing group Oetinger acquired the German language rights for the book at auction. Their authors include names like A. A. Milne and Cornelia Funke, and the publisher focuses on literary fiction and political or socially critical topics. Dressler’s editor Anna Herberhold was very excited about the acquisition:

“From the first moment I met Magdalena Hai’s wonderful girl hero, I knew that this manuscript was something incredibly rare and wonderful. Ms Hai has written a very timely, but timeless, relevant and empowering story about universally important themes without ever talking down to her readers. She’s at eye level with the children, even the very smallest of them, who will all be delighted by the story of the brave, compassionate and fierce girl defeating greed and saving the ever-hungry cat with the grumbling belly. The power of this book’s message will reach every child just as much as us adults reading it with or to them,” she said.

The Grumblebelly Cat won the Finnish Export Prize in 2018 and is nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize – the winner will be announced October 30th this year. Additionally the book was nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Prize 2017 and Runeberg Junior Prize 2018.

The book has been well received also by readers and critics:

“Wise and fearless.” – Aamulehti newspaper

“A great fairytale about a big issue.” – Kujerruksia blog

“Fascinating and intense.” – Arvid Lydecken Prize jury 2018

“The Grumblebelly Cat is above all an unadulterated fairytale which features typical elements of the genre, such as victory of the underdog and terrible opponents. However, Hai’s book revisits the tradition of the fairytale in a highly original fashion and adds new ingredients.” – Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize 2018 jury on nomination

The beautifully detailed black-and-white illustrations are drawn by Teemu Juhani, an up-and-coming illustrator residing in London.

Magdalena Hai’s current works include the manga-inspired YA adventure The Royaume Chronicles, the first instalment of which, The Third Sister (Kolmas sisar, Otava), was just published in Finland to praising reviews. In addition she is working on the Little Shop of Nightmares (Painajaispuoti, WSOY) early readers’ series with Teemu Juhani.

Rights sold:
FINLAND, Karisto (Orig. publisher)
GERMANY, Dressler/Oetinger

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 over 20 territories around the World. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Litetature and 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.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Bibliography


Magdalena Hai

Little Shop of Nightmares 4: The Crystal Skull

2022, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)


Magdalena Hai

Little Shop of Nightmares 4

2022


Magdalena Hai

The Spell of Iset

2021, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Magdalena Hai

Little Shop of Nightmares 3: Sticky the Horrible Snowman

2021, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)


Magdalena Hai

Miss Swift’s Weird and Wonderful House

2020, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Magdalena Hai

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

2019, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)


Magdalena Hai

The Third Sister

2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Magdalena Hai

Little Shop of Nightmares 1: The Terrible Tickling Powder

2018, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)


Magdalena Hai

Grumblebelly Cat

2017, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Magdalena Hai

The Beggar Princess

2012, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Related news

Recent children’s book deals & reviews: monsters, virtual realities and nonfiction

Posted on

Following Bologna Book Fair, year’s main event of children’s books’ rights, we’re very glad to announce new deals for our fantastic children’s books.

In Russia, the Monster Nanny series by Tuutikki Tolonen and Pasi Pitkänen has been sold to Rosman at auction. Rosman is one of the biggest Russian publishers, whose list includes for example J.K. Rowling, Philip Pullman, and many more. Monster Nanny, “the monstrous Mary Poppins”, is a universally charming award-winning story, which is to be developed into a Hollywood feature film by Scott Free Productions and published in 22 languages.

Request reading materials for Monster Nanny here!

Another Russian deal was struck for What Is the Night and What Is Water, the bedtime books of fictional and factual stories for information-hungry kids and adults. KompasGuide, the Moscow-based publishing house founded in 2008, whose authors include names such as Michael Ende and Christine Nöstlinger, acquired the rights to both of the children’s nonfiction books.

“We do hope our Russian audience will enjoy and adore the aesthetics of these books and like the illustrations of the magnificent Finnish artists. We are really proud to start our collaboration with these titles,” said Igor Grizhuk, Foreign Rights Manager of KompasGuide Publishing House.

Request reading materials for What Is the Night & What Is Water here!

Another hot title in Bologna from our YA list was Beta, the first book in the Sensored Reality trilogy by Aki Parhamaa and Anders Vacklin. See here for a trailer video for the book (with over 22,000 views!):

The novel has also received praising reviews from literature bloggers:

“Quite an excellent start for a trilogy! A compelling story, a good plot, an imaginative and credible milieu, well-described places and events and well-written characters carry the story smoothly and naturally.” – Teatterinna blog

“The book stands out in the Finnish dystopia book scene, I’m eagerly looking forward to the next part in the series.” –Literature Is Pink blog

Request reading materials for Beta here!

At the Bologna Book Fair, Elina Ahlbäck was also interviewed for the magazine Publishers Weekly Bologna Show Daily, and the piece was published under the title “Can Finnish Children’s Literature Become a Worldwide Phenomenon?”: click the link to read the article on pages 24-26. (The answer, by the way, is yes!)

Rights sold: Monster Nanny
Original publisher: FINLAND, Tammi
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
WORLD ENGLISH, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Right sold: Night 
Orig. publisher: FINLAND, Myllylahti
CHINA, CITIC Press
RUSSIA, KompasGuide

Rights sold: Water
Orig. publisher: FINLAND, Myllylahti
RUSSIA, KompasGuide

Rights sold: Beta
Orig. publisher: FINLAND, Tammi

Laura Ertimo


Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. In 2021 - her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO= was nominated for Finlandia Award and in 2022 won the Tieto-Lauri award!

The Tietopöllö award jury: Laura Ertimo knows how to sum up difficult things appropriately in the blink of an eye. Her works can provide information and joy to a wide range of readers, and they also attract people of all ages to delve deeper into the book and consider even difficult issues together. Laura Ertimo's books open paths to important and current topics.

The Tieto-Lauri award jury: Children today grow up among worldwide ecological crises. It presents a great challenge for nonfiction literature: how to tell children about the complex phenomena in an easily understandable way and give factually based hope that even the hardest crises can be solved. Ertimo and Ahokoivu have successfully taken on this challenge.

Author page

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Satu Kontinen


Satu Kontinen (b. 1976) is a graphic designer and illustrator obsessed with flowers. She is known for her detailed ink works as well as creating quirky creatures and imaginary worlds that spark the imagination of kids and adults alike. She has been awarded for designing and illustrating one of the most beautiful books/book covers in Finland (_Vuoden kaunein kirja_ by the Finnish Book Art Committee) in 2008, 2015, 2016 and in 2018. In 2004 she was nominated for the Finlandia Junior Prize and in 2017 she was one of the top 10 finalists in the prestigious Rudolf Koivu illustration awards. In 2020 she was given a Merit Award in the Three x Three International Illustration Awards.

In her free time Satu enjoys designing floral fabrics and writing children's and YA fiction in secrecy. Maybe some day she will show them to a publisher.

Author page

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Bologna Rights Guide presents Finnish storytellers conquering the world

Posted on

Finnish storytellers conquer the world – and Hollywood!

Bologna Book Fair is right behind the corner: we’re thrilled to introduce our new catalogs of children’s and young adults’ books for you!

Click here to read the new catalog!

This Spring we have wonderful new books and new authors on our list alongside our long-time favorites, many of which are  at the moment being developed for film and TV: Maresi (Film4), As Red As Blood (Zero Gravity) & Monster Nanny (Scott Free).

What is the Night? and What is Water? by the talented duo Laura Ertimo and Satu Kontinen, are our new nonfiction titles, suitable for readers from 5 to 99 years.

In picture books, Mila Teräs and Karoliina Pertamo’s collaborationThe Fox Who Painted the Sky tells the story behind Northern Lights and The Duskspinner reminds us of the importance of darkness and rest. Elina Hirvonen and Mervi Lindman’s Princess Rascal is about a strong-minded little girl, like the kid sister of Pippi Longstocking.

For beginning readers, award-winning authors Miina Supinen and Magdalena Hai offer stories about pizza and magic, a creature called The Grumblebelly Cat, and a strange shop of nightmares.

Young adults will be happy to learn that Maria Turtschaninoff’s third installment in The Red Abbey Chronicles, Letters from Maresi is finished, and Salla Simukka is back with a collection of “little awesome stories and little awful stories”.

We look forward to seeing you at the book fairs in Bologna (Agent Center) and London (IRC, 6C & 6D) – and in New York & Los Angeles.

Warmest wishes,
Elina Ahlbäck, Literary Agent
Lotta Dufva, Literary Agent
Nicole Herbst, Rights Coordinator

Fall Children’s catalogue with August highlights

Posted on

As summer draws to a close, we’re excited to kick off the fall season with our brand new rights guide. Click here to download our new fall 2017 children’s catalogue containing the best of YA and children’s books from Finland.

Screenwriting duo Anders Vacklin and Aki Parhamaa debut with their fast-paced virtual reality series, Sensored Reality: Beta (Book 1 of 3) for YA readers, which will launch in spring 2018.

Bookwitch author Anne Leinonen returns with Witchbook, the second, mirror novel in the YA duology of witches and worldbuilding.

In illustrated children’s books, Riikka Jäntti’s adorable toddler mouse excitedly counts down to Christmas inLittle Mouse’s Christmas, and Satu Kontinen’s charming educational picture book series continues with a third volume about shapes in Mokomaki: What a Shape! 

2017 is a year for particular celebration as Finland prepares to mark 100 years of independence this December, which we are proud to celebrate with the best of Finnish children’s literature!

Stay tuned for more exciting news on our authors and their books in the coming weeks . . .

JULY-AUGUST BOOK LAUNCHES

 Naondel by Maria Turtschaninoff (Dutch)
Sisterland by Salla Simukka (Latvian)
Monster Nanny by Tuutikki Tolonen (Dutch; Slovenian)
Monster Route by Tutikki Tolonen (Hungarian)

FOREIGN DEALS
  • Vietnamese rights (Nha Nam) to Monster Nanny by Tuutikki Tolonen
LATEST REVIEWS

Little Brother’s Marvellous Expedition by Leena Parkkinen

“Weird and wonderful.”
– Suomen Kuvalehti magazine, Finland

*

Monster Nanny now sold in 21 territories!

Posted on

Hello August, and hello Vietnamese Monster Nanny!

We are delighted that Tuutikki Tolonen’s charming middle-grade bestseller has been acquired by Nha Nam Publishing! The Hanoi-based publisher counts the likes of Jay Asher, John Boyne, Neil Gaiman, Diana Wynne Jones, David Walliams on its list of upmarket children’s literature.

“Monster Nanny has added another unforgettable nanny to the army of nannies all around the world, following the famous predecessors like Mary Poppins and Mrs Doubtfire. This time, however, the story is even better with a blend of realism and (a lot of) fantasy. It’s odd and funny enough to keep the young readers’ attention and enthusiasm for reading, but familiar enough not to slip out of their hearts without leaving some warmth.”
– Tran Le Thuy Linh, Editor, Nha Nam Publishers, Vietnam

Monster Nanny, the first volume of Tuutikki Tolonen’s bestselling duology about three children who get a monstrous babysitter for the summer, has been sold to 21 territories to date, with a Hollywood adaptation by Scott Free Productions in development.

FINLAND, Tammi (Original publisher)
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books (two-book-deal)
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Robert Laffont (two-book deal)
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag (two-book deal)
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon (two-book deal)
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
THE NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff (two-book deal)
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk (two-book deal)
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga (two-book deal)
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren (two-book deal)
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
UNITED STATES, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (WE)
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Midsummer children’s news: prizes and reviews for Leinonen, Parkkinen, Pitkänen and Simukka

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With Midsummer upon us, we are thrilled to see more good news and reviews rolling in for our authors’ latest books across picture book, middle-grade and YA.

Monster Nanny illustrator Pasi Pitkänen’s endearing jungle island adventure picture book, The Island of Lost Animals, recently sold in China, has been warmly reviewed by Finnish literary bloggers for its warm yet cautionary tale of wildlife species decline:

“Pasi Pitkänen has succeeded with his first solo publication, which gets my recommendation. The illustrations are truly excellent.”  Kirjavinkit blog, Finland

My expectations were rewarded with this book and its superb illustrations. It is thrilling, touching and yet humourous with its cartoon-like pictures.[…] Pitkänen’s action-packed adventure tackles an important and timely issue, that of conservation and protection of wildlife and the natural habitat.”  Luentaanko tämä blog, Finland

In other adventures, Leena Parkkinen and illustrator Jussi Karjalainen’s exotic backyard adventure, Little Brother’s Marvellous Expedition continues to garner praise from reviewers:

“Children’s literature might be the last territory where anarchy is order and the unconventional is wished for. Echoes of these can be found in abundance in the work of Leena Parkkinen and Jussi Karjalainen. – – A healthy phenomenon is that children’s literature can handle societal themes with the aid of allegories. What does not necessarily open up immediately, might simmer in the subconscious and become a life-changing revelation later on.” – Turun Sanomat newspaper, Finland

We are so thrilled that Salla Simukka’s middle-grade novel Sisterland won Finland’s LukuVarkaus prize last week. Established by the town of Varkaus and paper company Stora Enso, the LukuVarkaus prize is awarded to a children’s book published in the previous year by a jury of school-age children. Congratulations again to Salla!

And more reviews for Anne Leinonen’s YA fantasy, Bookwitch; the first volume of Anne’s recently-published YA duology received another review this week:

“There are nice pinches of romance and suspense, and a surprising twist in the end, as I thought there would be. The story is thought-out and well-presented to the reader, guaranteeing a pleasant read.” – Dysphoria blog, Finland 

“Even with its fast-paced twists and turns, it’s a wonderfully relaxing comfort read.” — Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland

Our warmest Midsummer greetings and good wishes to you, one and all!

Anne Leinonen


Anne Leinonen (b.1973) is a multiple-award winning, key author, tutor and editor of Finnish science fiction and fantasy. Her most recent publication is the first volume of a YA urban fantasy duology, Bookwitch (Kirjanoita), which will be followed by Witchbook (Noitakirja) in 2018.

Leinonen’s short stories have been published in magazines and anthologies, earning her several Atorox awards (voted for by fans). Her science fiction novels, Viivamaalari and Ilottomien ihmisten kylä were published to positive reviews, as well as a trilogy, Routasisarukset, written in collaboration with Eija Lappalainen, In addition to writing YA and adult fiction, she has now started to work on audio and television dramas.

Anne Leinonen moves fluidly between science fiction and fantasy. Her texts deal with themes of otherness and unfamiliarity, as well as conflicts between the community and the individual. Nature plays an important part in her work, as a vehicle for the story, the stage of action and on a symbolic level. Leinonen’s prose is taut, with no superficial descriptions. Instead, she takes her readers right in to the middle of events and the lives of her characters. Her use of language shows talent and uniqueness, favouring experimentation with different styles and often works on several pieces at the same time. She is especially renowned for her collaborations with other writers.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Leena Parkkinen


Leena Parkkinen has authored three prize-winning adults’ novels set in 20th century Europe, often about people living at the margins society. Her skillful use of detail is often imbued with an element of suspense. She has also written two children’s story books.

Parkkinen has received numerous literary awards, such as Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize for the best debut (2009), Academic Bookshop’s Bestselling Debut Prize (2009), Laila Hirvisaari Award (2010) and the Kalevi Jäntti Prize (2013), in addition to being nominated for the Tulenkantaja Export Prize 2017. Her works have been translated into seven languages to date.

Author page

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Salla Simukka


Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 52 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013.

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences. These days she writes books for young adults and children, and travels the world talking about them.

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Sisterland wins the LukuVarkaus award

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Salla Simukka’s Sisterland has received the ’Lasten LukuVarkaus’ award, a literary prize given annually to the best Finnish children’s book for readers up to twelve years old and published in the previous year. The winner was selected by a jury of six elementary school pupils.

The kids’ jury appreciated especially the balanced combination of fantasy and realism, and the novel’s characters. In addition, the jury stated that there’s “not a single boring bit” in the book.

Sisterland has been sold to ten territories to date, the latest two being China and the Arab World.

Earlier this year Salla Simukka received also the Kaarina Helakisa award, given annually to an outstanding children’s book author or illustrator. “Salla Simukka has made Finnish YA literature world famous, shattered glass ceilings and always stood up for minorities. She is inspiring, visible and audible. She’s a prime example of nothing being impossible,” said the jury.

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (Original publisher)
ARAB WORLD, Arab Scientific Publishers
BELGIUM, Clavis
CHINA, Hunan Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House
ESTONIA, Pegasus
FRANCE, Hachette Livre
JAPAN, Nishimura
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
NETHERLANDS, Clavis
UNITED STATES, Random House

Salla Simukka


Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 52 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013.

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences. These days she writes books for young adults and children, and travels the world talking about them.

Author page Author Facebook

Bibliography


Salla Simukka

In the Dark I Can Be Yours

2021, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

Detained

2020, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

Turn off the Lights! Turn on the Lights!

2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

Sisterland

2016, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)


Salla Simukka

As Black as Ebony

2014, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

As Red as Blood

2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

As White as Snow

2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

Elsewhere

2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)


Salla Simukka

Without a trace

2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Related news

The Agency celebrates its 8th anniversary with 3 new deals and great reviews

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Elina Ahlback Literary Agency celebrates its 8th anniversary today
Since 2009 we have read hundreds of books, sold translation rights to 56 different languages and traveled the world from Los Angeles to Shanghai. We wish to thank everyone who has collaborated with us along the way, and raise a toast to many good years to come. On our birthday we’re glad to announce three milestone-marking deals:

20th deal for the baby-sitting monsters
Tuutikki Tolonen and Pasi Pitkänen’s middle-grade duology Monster Nanny & Monster Route has now been sold to DarkSide Books; Brazilian Portuguese is the 20th language these lovely books will be available in!

10th deal for two friends in wonderland
Chinese rights of Salla Simukka’s Sisterland, illustrated by Saku Heinänen, have been sold to Hunan Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House. Editor Ran Chang was very glad about the acquisition: “We can’t emphasize how popular Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Secret Garden are in China, and we believe so will Sisterland be! No wonder why Salla Simukka is internationally recognized since she is such a wonderful story-teller.”

1st deal for a group of extraordinary creatures
Hunan Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House has also bought the Chinese rights to Pasi Pitkänen’s brand new picture book The Island of Lost Animals. “The Island of Lost Animals is a wonderful creation both in terms of the texts and the illustrations. It is such an engaging story to find out the terrifying monster becomes a real hero in the end, and to enjoy the rich and vigorous illustrations of many animal characters. Kids in China will love it!” said Ran Chang.

…and Maresi receives great reviews again
“A magnificent novel offering beautiful, contemplative writing, fascinating mythology and magic, deep characters and a beautiful message of hope. A very beautiful discovery!” says the expert committee of Montreuil Children’s Book Fair, and places Maria Turtschaninoff’s Maresi – now sold in 21 territories – in their top 3 books of May.

Don’t forget to get in touch with us to request reading materials!

Maria Turtschaninoff


Maria Turtschaninoff is known for crafting lyrical, historically inspired fantasy stories starring strong female protagonists. In addition to J.R.R. Tolkien, she counts Philip Pullman, Ursula K. Le Guin and C.S. Lewis among her favorite authors. She is a two-time winner of the Society of Swedish Literature Prize, a nominee for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and winner of the 2014 Finlandia Junior Prize. Maria has a Master of Arts in human ecology and works full-time as a writer.

Author page Author webpageAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Pasi Pitkänen


Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

Author page Author webpage

Salla Simukka


Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 52 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013.

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences. These days she writes books for young adults and children, and travels the world talking about them.

Author page Author Facebook

Tuutikki Tolonen


Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. 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.

Tolonen is currently writing the Agnes series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2020 nominated for both Runeberg Junior and Arvid Lydecken Awards and won LukuVarkaus 2020 award!

Author page

Deals round-up: monsters, goddesses, and rave reviews

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Summer is starting and we’ve had an exciting spring also in the children’s and young adults’ book front with many deals and good reviews. See below for the exciting news, and don’t forget to get in touch with us for reading materials!

Monster Nanny sold to Turkey
SEV Redhouse Kidz has acquired the Turkish rights to our middle-grade hit: “Monster Nanny is one of the books that draw the reader instantly into its unordinary world where some children are looked after by reluctant monster nannies. There is a lot of humour that makes you smile and lots of moments – like Monster Nanny and Mimi’s hugs! – that touch your heart. Such emotions in such a rich and well-structured text filled with great adventure…” said editor Gökçe Ateş Aytuğ on acquisition. The second book in the series, Monster Route, was also just published in France!

Freya published in the U.S. and sold to Poland
Matthew Laurence’s Freya, a YA adventure starring the Norse goddess Freya fighting her enemies in the modern world, was published by Macmillan to great reviews: “Move over, Percy Jackson, there’s a new girl in town,” wrote Booklist. After Bologna Book Fair the novel’s Polish rights were snapped by the renowned YA publisher Jaguar.

Maresi’s follow-up Naondel sold to Estonia
Varrak, Maria Turtschaninoff’s Estonian publisher has acquired the rights to Naondel, the prequel of the “Finnish feminist fantasy”Maresi. The UK edition of Naondel has received nice reviews in the press: “A prequel that introduces the founding sisters of the all-female Red Abbey… their interwoven stories told with unflinching clarity, rise to a vengeful climax with the glow of the red moon, and will stay with the reader long after the book is closed,” wrote Guardian.

Arabic rights of Sisterland sold to Arab Scientific Publishers
Following the Sharjah Book Fair in the UAE we closed a deal for the Arabic rights of Salla Simukka’s middle-grade novelSisterland. This marks the ninth deal for the novel, which will be published later this year in English by Random House US.

Bookwitch published in Finland
The YA duology Bookwitch/Witchbook by Anne Leinonen belonged to one of our most requested titles at the Bologna Book Fair. The combination of love, real life teenager issues and magic in a parallel city of Helsinki hasn’t left the reviewers cold: “Bookwitch feels like a true literary celebration. […] Leinonen nicely weaves the literary classics into the story, playing with references to familiar stories and books.” (Luetaanko tämä blog)

Little Brother’s Magnificent Expedition gathers great reviews
Leena Parkkinen and Jussi Karjalainen’s collaboration children’s novel finds its readers in Finland. “Parkkinen’s language is rich and entertaining, the characters deliciously built. Jussi Karjalainen’s illustrations capture the exciting atmosphere of the story very nicely,” writes Lastut blog.

Anne Leinonen


Anne Leinonen (b.1973) is a multiple-award winning, key author, tutor and editor of Finnish science fiction and fantasy. Her most recent publication is the first volume of a YA urban fantasy duology, Bookwitch (Kirjanoita), which will be followed by Witchbook (Noitakirja) in 2018.

Leinonen’s short stories have been published in magazines and anthologies, earning her several Atorox awards (voted for by fans). Her science fiction novels, Viivamaalari and Ilottomien ihmisten kylä were published to positive reviews, as well as a trilogy, Routasisarukset, written in collaboration with Eija Lappalainen, In addition to writing YA and adult fiction, she has now started to work on audio and television dramas.

Anne Leinonen moves fluidly between science fiction and fantasy. Her texts deal with themes of otherness and unfamiliarity, as well as conflicts between the community and the individual. Nature plays an important part in her work, as a vehicle for the story, the stage of action and on a symbolic level. Leinonen’s prose is taut, with no superficial descriptions. Instead, she takes her readers right in to the middle of events and the lives of her characters. Her use of language shows talent and uniqueness, favouring experimentation with different styles and often works on several pieces at the same time. She is especially renowned for her collaborations with other writers.

Author page Author webpageAuthor TwitterAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram

Jussi Karjalainen


Jussi Karjalainen is a graphic designer, illustrator and co-founder of Napa Books. His distinctive artwork has featured widely across books, music and print media, and been exhibited at showrooms and galleries.

Author page

Leena Parkkinen


Leena Parkkinen has authored three prize-winning adults’ novels set in 20th century Europe, often about people living at the margins society. Her skillful use of detail is often imbued with an element of suspense. She has also written two children’s story books.

Parkkinen has received numerous literary awards, such as Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize for the best debut (2009), Academic Bookshop’s Bestselling Debut Prize (2009), Laila Hirvisaari Award (2010) and the Kalevi Jäntti Prize (2013), in addition to being nominated for the Tulenkantaja Export Prize 2017. Her works have been translated into seven languages to date.

Author page

Maria Turtschaninoff


Maria Turtschaninoff is known for crafting lyrical, historically inspired fantasy stories starring strong female protagonists. In addition to J.R.R. Tolkien, she counts Philip Pullman, Ursula K. Le Guin and C.S. Lewis among her favorite authors. She is a two-time winner of the Society of Swedish Literature Prize, a nominee for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and winner of the 2014 Finlandia Junior Prize. Maria has a Master of Arts in human ecology and works full-time as a writer.

Author page Author webpageAuthor FacebookAuthor Instagram