Non-Fiction

Happy New Year 2025 from the happiest country in the world!

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Finland has been chosen the happiest country in the world for seven years in a row, and there’s no better time to reflect on the secrets of happiness, than a New Year’s Eve. To share our wisdom for fulfilling life, these two remarkable books unlock the secrets, offering insights into well-being and balance.

Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life by Frank Martela

In Stop Chasing Happiness, academic and philosopher Frank Martela – hailing from Finland, the world’s happiest country – reveals why our fixation on happiness and achievement is making us miserable. With wisdom rooted in science, philosophy, and personal experience, Martela shows you the path to a life of energized contentment.

I have been waiting for a new book by Frank Martela since I finished reading Elämän tarkoitus (A Wonderful Life). Frank simply helps me to think better and live better. And I am not alone so we cannot wait to publish his anticipated book and bring it to the hands of the impatient Finnish readers. We might be the happiest nation on Earth but we too need gentle guidance to happiness–or to understanding to avoid chasing it, to be precise. And who would be a more perfect thinker to deliver this message to us than Frank who has a phenomenal ability to present complex ideas in a comprehensible and thought-provoking way. We are honoured and inspired to continue to be his Finnish publisher.

–  Johanna Laitinen, Publisher at Gummerus, Finland

 

The Power of Hot and Cold. From Sauna to Sea: The Finnish Way to a Happy, Healthy Life by Carita Harju & Katja Pantzar

This definitive guide by two experts takes readers on a journey into the transformative powers of hot and cold by pairing the sauna, that quintessential hot Finnish steam bath, with a cold-water dip. Along the way, it serves up the inspiration and practical tools for creating a wellness retreat using the Nordic contrast bathing philosophy, wherever you are in the world.

The Finnish hot and cold method boosts happiness by increasing wellbeing and encouraging connection with nature. It’s the secret to how the world’s happiest nation keeps calm and carries on – no matter what life throws at them. Now you too can learn their secrets.

What a wonderful, powerful book! The Power of Hot and Cold by Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju summarises in a very fresh, informative and cheerful way the positive holistic effects that sauna and a bath in cold water have on body, mind and soul. A promising trend that is also becoming increasingly popular in Germany.

– Berit Hoffmann, Editor, Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe GmbH

 

At its core, Finnish happiness is about simplicity, connection, and embracing life’s rhythms. Here’s to a 2025 filled with serenity, and Finland-inspired joy.

Hyvää uutta vuotta, Happy New Year 2025!

About author


Carita Harju

Carita Harju is a Finnish sauna experience expert and marketing professional whose mission is to share the Finnish sauna’s positive health and wellness benefits with the world. She is the founder and executive director of Sauna from Finland, which represents an international network of more than 200 sauna industry companies. The organization’s mission is to create the world’s best sauna experiences, and Harju loves her work, because it allows her to advance an idea that she is personally so passionate about. Carita Harju has always enjoyed saunas, goes to sauna with her family nearly every day and gives talks all over the world.

Her first illustrated guide, Sauna - The Way of Finnish Life (2016), has been published in four languages, including German and Chinese. Her second book, Soul of the Sauna, was released in Japanese and Hungarian, while her newest title Saunafulness (Hyvää oloa saunomalla, 2021) has been sold to 4 territories.

Read more Author's page

About author


Frank Martela

Professor Frank Martela, PhD, is a philosopher and researcher of psychology specializing in the question of meaning in life. His articles have appeared in Scientific American Mind, Harvard Business Review, Salon, CNBC and his work has been featured on Quartz and on the BBC. His research has been published extensively in numerous academic journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal of Personality, Metaphilosophy, Southern Journal of Philosophy, and Academy of Management Review. He has spoken to more than one hundred audiences worldwide, including invited lectures in universities on five continents, including Stanford University and Harvard University. He’s been interviewed by the New York Times, Discover Magazine, New Scientist, Vice News, Fox News,and Monocle Observer among others. He is Assistant Professor at Aalto University in Finland. Outside of work, Frank is a father to three lovely children, an amateur-level soccer player, with an occasional skiing trip in the winters. He is made in Green Bay, so Packers holds a special place in his heart.

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About author


Katja Pantzar

Katja Pantzar –  Katja Pantzar is a Helsinki-based writer and journalist who swims in the Baltic Sea year round. Raised in Canada, with stints in New Zealand and England, she is the author of The Finnish Way (Penguin Random House/2018), a bestselling non-fiction book about Nordic well-being, winter swimming and sisu (resilience) that has been translated into 24 languages. Her second book on sisu, Everyday Sisu: Tapping into Finnish Fortitude for a Happier, More Resilient Life (Penguin Random House/2022) explores through expert interviews and research-based information how we can better support our mental and physical health while taking care of each other and our planet. Everyday Sisu has also been published in Japanese, Thai, and Indonesian. Pantzar’s work has been widely covered around the world in media ranging from Le Figaro, Le Monde, and El Paísto Vogue the Washington Post and the New York Review of Books. . She is also the author of three mini-guides to the Finnish capital, including 100 things to do in Helsinki (Siltala/2024).

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German rights to THE POWER OF HOT AND COLD sold at auction!

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We’re excited to announce that German rights to the first international book on contrast therapy, THE POWER OF HOT AND COLD by bestselling authors Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju, has sold to the Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe GmbH/Heyne at auction!

This is one of our few titles originally written in English, containing inspiration and practical tools for creating a wellness retreat using the Nordic contrast bathing philosophy, wherever you are in the world.

What a wonderful, powerful book! The Power of Hot and Cold by Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju summarises in a very fresh, informative and cheerful way the positive holistic effects that sauna and a bath in cold water have on body, mind and soul. A promising trend that is also becoming increasingly popular in Germany.

– Berit Hoffman, Editor, Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe GmbH

About THE POWER OF HOT AND COLD:

Step into the world of hot and cold, where contrast therapy – pairing a good steam in a sauna with an icy dip in a lake or the sea – is an essential part of life in Finland. More than a trending pastime, the traditional Finnish practice of alternating hot and cold has a range of health benefits that boost mental and physical wellbeing, which greatly contribute to happiness. It’s also a large part of the reason Finland has been named the World’s Happiest Country for the seventh year in a row.

This definitive guide by two experts takes readers on a journey into the transformative powers of hot and cold by pairing the sauna, that quintessential hot Finnish steam bath, with a cold-water dip. Along the way, it serves up the inspiration and practical tools for creating a wellness retreat using the Nordic contrast bathing philosophy, wherever you are in the world.

The Finnish hot and cold method boosts happiness by increasing wellbeing and encouraging connection with nature. It’s the secret to how the world’s happiest nation keeps calm and carries on – no matter what life throws at them. Now you too can learn their secrets.

Click here to download all materials for THE POWER OF HOT AND COLD!

The Power of Hot and Cold
Yellow Kite, November 2024, 192 pp

Rights sold:
WORLD ENGLISH: Yellow Kite / Hodder & Stoughton (orig.)
GERMANY: Heyne

Reading Material:
English edition

About author


Carita Harju

Carita Harju is a Finnish sauna experience expert and marketing professional whose mission is to share the Finnish sauna’s positive health and wellness benefits with the world. She is the founder and executive director of Sauna from Finland, which represents an international network of more than 200 sauna industry companies. The organization’s mission is to create the world’s best sauna experiences, and Harju loves her work, because it allows her to advance an idea that she is personally so passionate about. Carita Harju has always enjoyed saunas, goes to sauna with her family nearly every day and gives talks all over the world.

Her first illustrated guide, Sauna - The Way of Finnish Life (2016), has been published in four languages, including German and Chinese. Her second book, Soul of the Sauna, was released in Japanese and Hungarian, while her newest title Saunafulness (Hyvää oloa saunomalla, 2021) has been sold to 4 territories.

Read more Author's page

About author


Katja Pantzar

Katja Pantzar –  Katja Pantzar is a Helsinki-based writer and journalist who swims in the Baltic Sea year round. Raised in Canada, with stints in New Zealand and England, she is the author of The Finnish Way (Penguin Random House/2018), a bestselling non-fiction book about Nordic well-being, winter swimming and sisu (resilience) that has been translated into 24 languages. Her second book on sisu, Everyday Sisu: Tapping into Finnish Fortitude for a Happier, More Resilient Life (Penguin Random House/2022) explores through expert interviews and research-based information how we can better support our mental and physical health while taking care of each other and our planet. Everyday Sisu has also been published in Japanese, Thai, and Indonesian. Pantzar’s work has been widely covered around the world in media ranging from Le Figaro, Le Monde, and El Paísto Vogue the Washington Post and the New York Review of Books. . She is also the author of three mini-guides to the Finnish capital, including 100 things to do in Helsinki (Siltala/2024).

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Cover reveal: STOP CHASING HAPPINESS: A PESSIMIST’S GUIDE TO A GOOD LIFE

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Exciting news! Here is the UK cover of STOP CHASING HAPPINESS: A PESSIMIST’S GUIDE TO A GOOD LIFE from the internationally bestselling author Frank Martela. He is Finland’s #1 internationally bestselling non-fiction author – his previous title, A WONDERFUL LIFE, has been sold to 30 countries!

You might have noticed the updated subtitle as well. The book will be published by Gummerus in Finland on March 8th, and Allen & Unwin will release it in the UK on March 20th.

Finland has been ranked the happiest country 7 times in a row, with Frank Martela as the leading expert explaining the secret to Finnish happiness for media ranging from Fox News and New York Times to Scientific American and New Scientist.

Rights still available in France, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands…

See why Finland has been named the #1 happiest country for the 7th year in a row and click here to download reading materials for STOP CHASING HAPPINESS!

 

The secret to happiness? Stop trying to find it – it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.

Finding happiness is less about learning new tricks and more about unlearning the ways of thinking holding you back: stop chasing happiness, stop obsessing over what others think, stop suppressing your feelings, stop making sacrifices for personal success.

Here, academic and philosopher Frank Martela from the world’s happiest country, Finland, unpacks why we value happiness and success, and why chasing them is actually making you miserable. Instead, he teaches you how to live with a sense of purpose and what he calls energised contentment.

Reading Stop Chasing Happiness will give you the courage to free yourself from the illusions of what you should be doing, the serenity to accept whatever life throws at you, and the sparkle to energetically pursue whatever you identify as your real values.

Stop the anxious chase. You have already arrived. Start living in a way that allows you to accept the past, enjoy the present, and work towards a better future – whatever that future looks like for you.

Publication Info:
Stop Chasing Happiness:  A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life, Allen & Unwin, March 2025, 200pp

Älä etsi onnea: Epätyypillisiä elämänohjeita nykyihmiselle, Gummerus, March 2025, 200pp

Rights sold:
UK: Allen & Unwin (orig.), FINLAND: Gummerus, GERMANY: Knesebeck, WORLD ENGLISH: Allen & Unwin

Reading Material:
Full English edition

About author


Frank Martela

Professor Frank Martela, PhD, is a philosopher and researcher of psychology specializing in the question of meaning in life. His articles have appeared in Scientific American Mind, Harvard Business Review, Salon, CNBC and his work has been featured on Quartz and on the BBC. His research has been published extensively in numerous academic journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal of Personality, Metaphilosophy, Southern Journal of Philosophy, and Academy of Management Review. He has spoken to more than one hundred audiences worldwide, including invited lectures in universities on five continents, including Stanford University and Harvard University. He’s been interviewed by the New York Times, Discover Magazine, New Scientist, Vice News, Fox News,and Monocle Observer among others. He is Assistant Professor at Aalto University in Finland. Outside of work, Frank is a father to three lovely children, an amateur-level soccer player, with an occasional skiing trip in the winters. He is made in Green Bay, so Packers holds a special place in his heart.

Read more Author's page

Bibliography


2025, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life

Frank Martela


2023, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

The Meaning Manifesto: Why Work Needs to Have a Purpose

Frank Martela


2020, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

A Wonderful Life: Insights on Finding a Meaningful Existence

Frank Martela

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Lithuanian rights to PUTIN’S WORLD WAR by Jessikka Aro acquired by Briedis!

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We’ve got another PUTIN’S WORLD WAR rights deal for you! This time, Lithuanian rights were acquired by Leidykla Briedis, in a deal closed by Julia Bogen.  Briedis’s commitment is to publish books that “make society more enriched, critically thinking, and enlightened,” which fits PUTIN’S WORLD WAR, Jessikka Aro’s daring piece of investigative journalism, perfectly.

Click here to download all materials for PUTIN’S WORLD WAR: Russia’s Covert Operations to Destroy the West.

About PUTIN’S WORLD WAR:

Russia is threatening the West with World War III, even though it has been waging it for years. As its weapons, the Kremlin uses agents of chaos, a covert operation, fake priests spreading hate speech, hackers recruited from prison, and the gullibility of people.

Jessikka Aro’s new non-fiction book about the Kremlin’s world war presents the secret operations of Putin’s intelligence services in detail.

The book takes the reader on a breath-taking journey from the lobby of the Helsinki Courts of Appeal to the controversial Bronze Soldier statue in Tallinn, from the media center run by the Russian military intelligence from Berlin to the Russian troll factory that operated in Ghana in West Africa.

Publication Info:
Putinin maailmansota, Johnny Kniga 2024, 352 pp

Rights Sold:
FINLAND: WSOY/Johnny Kniga (orig.)
GERMANY: Goldmann Verlag
HUNGARY: Corvina Books
ITALY: Neri Pozza
LITHUANIA: Briedis
POLAND: Transatlantic Foundation
SWEDEN: Sensor Förlag

Reading Material:
English sample & summary & table of contents, German pdf, Finnish edition

About author


Jessikka Aro

Jessikka Aro is an award-winning reporter with Yle, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, specializing in Russia, extremism and information warfare. In 2014 and 2015, she published a series of articles on pro-Kremlin social media trolls and their influence outside of Russia’s borders. Due to her investigations, Jessikka became the target of a severe and still ongoing international propaganda and hate speech campaign, which she recounts in Putin’s Trolls.

In 2019, the US State Department awarded Jessikka the International Women of Courage Award, but the award was mysteriously rescinded by the Trump administration, allegedly due to her social media criticism of then President Trump. On December 1, 2020, Jessikka Aro received the International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award, presented in partnership with the Washington Post and hosted by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Jessikka was recognized for her award-winning investigative reporting of Russian information warfare. Jessikka lives in Helsinki, Finland.

Read more Author's page

Bibliography


2024, Narrative Nonfiction

Putin's World War: Russia's Covert Operations to Destroy the West

Jessikka Aro


2019, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, History & Politics

Putin's Trolls

Jessikka Aro

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Italian rights to PUTIN’S WORLD WAR acquired by Neri Pozza!

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Another Italian deal for PUTIN’S WORLD WAR by Jessikka Aro! Rights were acquired by Neri Pozza in a deal closed by Julia Bogen.

Jessikka Aro has been on a roll lately, and there’s lots more happening behind the scenes, so stay tuned! For now we’re excited to entrust this book of brilliant investigative journalism to Neri Pozza, who is committed to publishing “great international non-fiction narratives”.

As the war continues and after the outcome of the US election, this book has become even more topical. In times like these, we are grateful for authors like Jessikka Aro who serve the world with their writing.

About PUTIN’S WORLD WAR:

Russia is threatening the West with World War III, even though it has been waging it for years. As its weapons, the Kremlin uses agents of chaos, a covert operation, fake priests spreading hate speech, hackers recruited from prison, and the gullibility of people.

Jessikka Aro’s new non-fiction book about the Kremlin’s world war presents the secret operations of Putin’s intelligence services in detail.

The book takes the reader on a breath-taking journey from the lobby of the Helsinki Courts of Appeal to the controversial Bronze Soldier statue in Tallinn, from the media center run by the Russian military intelligence from Berlin to the Russian troll factory that operated in Ghana in West Africa.

Click here to access all reading materials for PUTIN’S WORLD WAR.

Publication Info:
Putinin maailmansota, Johnny Kniga 2024, 352 pp

Rights Sold:
FINLAND: WSOY/Johnny Kniga (orig.)
GERMANY: Goldmann Verlag
HUNGARY: Corvina Books
ITALY: Neri Pozza
POLAND: Transatlantic Foundation
SWEDEN: Sensor Förlag

Reading Material:
English sample & summary & table of contents, German pdf, Finnish edition

About author


Jessikka Aro

Jessikka Aro is an award-winning reporter with Yle, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, specializing in Russia, extremism and information warfare. In 2014 and 2015, she published a series of articles on pro-Kremlin social media trolls and their influence outside of Russia’s borders. Due to her investigations, Jessikka became the target of a severe and still ongoing international propaganda and hate speech campaign, which she recounts in Putin’s Trolls.

In 2019, the US State Department awarded Jessikka the International Women of Courage Award, but the award was mysteriously rescinded by the Trump administration, allegedly due to her social media criticism of then President Trump. On December 1, 2020, Jessikka Aro received the International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award, presented in partnership with the Washington Post and hosted by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Jessikka was recognized for her award-winning investigative reporting of Russian information warfare. Jessikka lives in Helsinki, Finland.

Read more Author's page

Bibliography


2024, Narrative Nonfiction

Putin's World War: Russia's Covert Operations to Destroy the West

Jessikka Aro


2019, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, History & Politics

Putin's Trolls

Jessikka Aro

Related news

Ukrainian rights for TOVE JANSSON: WORK AND LOVE sold to Prometey/Athena!

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We’re happy to announce that Ukrainian rights for TOVE JANSSON: Work and Love by Tuula Karjalainen have been acquired by the Athena imprint of Prometey Publishing House. According to their official biography, “Prometey is a new publishing house that aims at the comprehensive development of the individual.” In fiction, nonfiction, and children’s, they seek the betterment of humanity through both Ukrainian and foreign titles that can help us all in times of strife.

Tove Jansson (1914-2001) is the brilliant creative genius behind the famous Moomin IP. This biography details her long, colourful and productive life, along with her significant impact on the political, social and cultural history of 20th-century Finland. And while millions of children have grown up with Little My, Snufkin, Moomintroll and the many creatures of Moominvalley, the life of Jansson – daughter, friend and companion – is more touching still. This book weaves together the myriad qualities of a painter, author, illustrator, scriptwriter and lyricist from fraught beginnings through fame, war and heartbreak and ultimately to a peaceful end.

Click here to download the English PDF of TOVE JANSSON: WORK AND LOVE.

Publication Info:
Tove Jansson tee työtä ja rakasta, Tammi 2013, 300 pp.

Rights Sold:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.), CHINA: CITIC, DENMARK: Turbine forlaget, ESTONIA: Varrak Publishers, GERMANY: Urachhaus GmbH, JAPAN: Kawade Shobo Shinsha Ltd, Publishers, RUSSIA: AST Publishers /Mainstream, SOUTH KOREA: Munhak Dogne Publishing Group, UKRAINE: Prometey, UNITED KINGDOM: Penguin Press

Reading Materials:
English edition

About author


Tuula Karjalainen

Dr. Tuula Karjalainen is a Finnish art historian and non-fiction writer who has previously worked as a director of the Helsinki Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma in Helsinki. As the author of Tove Jansson’s biography, Tuula Karjalainen has become an expert not only on Jansson’s works but also on her several decades of personal correspondence and journals.

Read more

Bibliography


2013, General Nonfiction, Memories & Biographies

Tove Jansson: Work and Love

Tuula Karjalainen

Related news

THE WOMEN I THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT TV dramatization wins 50,000 Euro award!

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Mia Kankamaki The Women I think About At Night US

Excellent TV rights news today: The TV dramatization of THE WOMEN I THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT by our world traveling author Mia Kankimäki has won Tallinn’s TV Beats Series Co-Production Development Award!

The award includes an initiation by the Council of Europe for 50,000 EUR toward development of the TV series. We anticipate production by napafilms in 2025.

The jury explained their decision-making process:

[We] selected a project that seamlessly combines AI and live action, archival material and fiction, tackling universal themes in a bold and impactful way. It explores identity and self-discovery from a female lens, highlights the power of learning from diverse cultures, and draws inspiration from brave and curious historical women.”

The article from popular entertainment magazine Variety describes the drama (and book) concisely:

Produced by Liisa Karpo for Napafilms, the project turns on a 40-year-old art teacher with no family who one day abandons her comfortable but unsatisfying life. With the help of a group of fellow courageous women, past artists and explorers from history, she finds a new way of living. The series is planned to be shot in a wide range of diverse locations as its protagonist explores the world, including Finland, Italy, Japan, Tibet, and Kenya.

Inspired by such great source material, this is surely a drama to watch!

You can read the full Variety article here, and also the Screen Daily article here.

Click here to access the English PDF of THE WOMEN I THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT.

Publication Info:
Naiset joita ajattelen öisin, Otava 2018, 448 pp

Reading Material:
English edition

Rights Sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.), ALBANIA: Muza, CHINA: Beijing Huaxia Winshare Books Co., Ltd., CZECH REPUBLIC: Albatros Media / Motto, DENMARK: Bilgrav, ESTONIA: Varrak Publishers, FRANCE (paperback): Folio, FRANCE: Editions Leduc, GERMANY: BTB, HUNGARY: Kossuth, ITALY: Neri Pozza Editore, JAPAN: Soshisha, LATVIA: Zvaigzne ABC Publishers, LITHUANIA: Leidykla Gelmes, NETHERLANDS: Orlando, NORWAY: Gursli Berg Forlag, POLAND: Poznańskie, RUSSIA: Eksmo, SLOVENIA: Didakta, SWEDEN: Wahlström & Widstrand, UK: Simon & Schuster, USA: Simon & Schuster, FILM & TV RIGHTS: napafilms oy

About author


Mia Kankimäki

Mia Kankimäki is the author of two best-selling books which blend travelogue, memoir, biography, and women’s history. After taking a master’s degree in comparative literature at the University of Helsinki and working diligently in Finnish publishing, in 2010 she left her job and traveled to Japan to write her first book. Her books have received several literary awards, for example the Best Travel Book of the Year 2013, the HelMet Award 2015, and Otava Book Foundation’s Non-Fiction Award 2020. She currently lives in Helsinki, Finland, whenever she’s not traveling for her next book project.

Mia has been enthusiastic about Japanese culture for years and is a qualified ikebana teacher of the Sogetsu school. Her first book Things That Make One’s Hear Beat Faster took her to Kyoto where she has spent long periods of writing and making research ever since. Kankimäki’s second book The Women I Think About at Night has sold over 55,000 copies in Finland and the translation rights have been sold to 21 territories, including USA and China.

Mia's both books have been aqcuired by Japanese publisher Soshisha:

"I am delighted to share that Mia Kankimäki’s debut title, THINGS THAT MAKE ONE’S HEART BEAT FASTER, is embraced and loved by many Japanese readers. A cross between an autobiography and a travelogue, the author finds an emotional connection with a woman geographically far apart and from a different era and tries to discover who she really was. I believe this style is reflected in THE WOMEN I THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT as well. Though some of the female figures in this second book might not be well-known locally, I am looking forward to seeing how our readers will react to their lifestyles." - Daisuke Watanabe, Editor, Soshisha

Read more Author's page

Bibliography


2018, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction

The Women I Think About At Night

Mia Kankimäki


2013, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction

Things That Make One's Heart Beat Faster

Mia Kankimäki

Related news

The Power of Hot and Cold London launch event!

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Last night, November 14th 2024, was the London launch for Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju’s THE POWER OF HOT AND COLD: From Sauna to Sea. The Finnish Way to a Happy, Healthy Life! The event was hosted by the Finnish ambassador Jukka Siukosaari and Special Advisor Pirjo Pellinen.

Warmest Thank You Ambassador Jukka Siukosaari and Pirjo Pellinen for hosting a successful event, and Yellow Kite for publishing this unique book! We also thank FILI for supporting this book launch.

THE POWER OF HOT AND COLD is the first English-language book on contrast therapy, which explores the therapeutic benefits and long history of going to the sauna followed by a rejuvenating ice bath. In 2020, Finnish sauna culture was added to the UNESCO cultural heritage list, and there is no one better to write about it than this bestselling cultural expert author team.

About THE POWER OF HOT AND COLD:

Step into the world of hot and cold, where contrast therapy – pairing a good steam in a sauna with an icy dip in a lake or the sea – is an essential part of life in Finland. More than a trending pastime, the traditional Finnish practice of alternating hot and cold has a range of health benefits that boost mental and physical wellbeing, which greatly contribute to happiness. It’s also a large part of the reason Finland has been named the World’s Happiest Country for the seventh year in a row.

This definitive guide by two experts takes readers on a journey into the transformative powers of hot and cold by pairing the sauna, that quintessential hot Finnish steam bath, with a cold-water dip. Along the way, it serves up the inspiration and practical tools for creating a wellness retreat using the Nordic contrast bathing philosophy, wherever you are in the world.

Click here to access the full English PDF of THE POWER OF HOT AND COLD.

Happy Authors, Agent & Publisher with Elina

Yellow Kite/Hodder, Carolyn Thorne & Kallie Townsend

Publisher Carolyn Thorne gives The Power of Hot and Cold to The Ambassador thanking him and presenting the book to the audience

The Finnish Power Ladies of Hot, Carita Harju (Red), and Cold, Katja Pantzar (blue)

Publication Info:
Yellow Kite, November 2024, 192 pp

Rights sold:
WORLD ENGLISH: Yellow Kite / Hodder & Stoughton (orig.)

Reading Material:
English edition

About author


Carita Harju

Carita Harju is a Finnish sauna experience expert and marketing professional whose mission is to share the Finnish sauna’s positive health and wellness benefits with the world. She is the founder and executive director of Sauna from Finland, which represents an international network of more than 200 sauna industry companies. The organization’s mission is to create the world’s best sauna experiences, and Harju loves her work, because it allows her to advance an idea that she is personally so passionate about. Carita Harju has always enjoyed saunas, goes to sauna with her family nearly every day and gives talks all over the world.

Her first illustrated guide, Sauna - The Way of Finnish Life (2016), has been published in four languages, including German and Chinese. Her second book, Soul of the Sauna, was released in Japanese and Hungarian, while her newest title Saunafulness (Hyvää oloa saunomalla, 2021) has been sold to 4 territories.

Read more Author's page

About author


Katja Pantzar

Katja Pantzar –  Katja Pantzar is a Helsinki-based writer and journalist who swims in the Baltic Sea year round. Raised in Canada, with stints in New Zealand and England, she is the author of The Finnish Way (Penguin Random House/2018), a bestselling non-fiction book about Nordic well-being, winter swimming and sisu (resilience) that has been translated into 24 languages. Her second book on sisu, Everyday Sisu: Tapping into Finnish Fortitude for a Happier, More Resilient Life (Penguin Random House/2022) explores through expert interviews and research-based information how we can better support our mental and physical health while taking care of each other and our planet. Everyday Sisu has also been published in Japanese, Thai, and Indonesian. Pantzar’s work has been widely covered around the world in media ranging from Le Figaro, Le Monde, and El Paísto Vogue the Washington Post and the New York Review of Books. . She is also the author of three mini-guides to the Finnish capital, including 100 things to do in Helsinki (Siltala/2024).

Read more Author's page

THE DIGITAL SPELL by Perttu Pölönen nominated for the 2024 Finlandia Prize in Non-Fiction!

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We are very thrilled to announce that THE DIGITAL SPELL by Perttu Pölönen has been nominated for the 2024 Finlandia Prize in Non-Fiction!

Perttu Pölönen is a futurist, inventor and an inspirational speaker. In the Finnish media, Perttu has been called a gentle highbrow and fearless inventor. Future Skills has been a bestseller in Finland – where Perttu has become one of the most sought-after speakers inspiring thousands of people in his lectures.

His previous book FUTURE SKILLS has been sold to 8 territories! He has studied future technologies at Singularity University think tank, based at NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, co-founded an edtech company in Myanmar and won EU’s biggest science competition for youth. In 2018, MIT Tech Review honored him among the 35 Innovators Under 35 in Europe.

The jury praised the book (THE DIGITAL SPELL):

The book reveals what smart devices and social media are doing to us. Without succumbing to cynicism, it uncovers the “magician’s tricks” that technology uses to steer our thoughts and values. This engagingly written work sheds light on the path to a future internet built on human values.

Click here to download all materials for THE DIGITAL SPELL.

Finlandia Prize is the most prestigious literary award in Finland, worth 30 000 euros. The winner will be announced on November 27.

THE DIGITAL SPELL

Perttu Pölönen

The book that every social media user should read! The third book by popular speaker and sales success Perttu Pölönen!

Only a few dozen social media executives ultimately decide where the attention of billions of people will be directed. At the same time, a large part of the population is unable to explain how the internet works, even at a basic level. We have embarked on a massive human experiment with an alarmingly inadequate understanding.

Of the many consequences of the smartphones, only a few were desired, considered, and intentional. Smartphones have altered human behavior more profoundly in just two decades than any previous technology in the same timespan. We have allowed social media to alter our perception of the world, thinking, values, and behavior. The change has been unpredictable, imperceptible, and fundamental—mental health issues, shortened attention spans, polarization, and loneliness are just a few of the outcomes. Perhaps technology is not merely a neutral tool or a solution to our problems but rather a guide that reveals our real problems.

In his latest book, Perttu Pölönen asks what kind of technology we wish to use, who we want to develop it, whose interests it should serve, and what we use technology for. In the era of ChatGPT and generative AI, discussing design, values and ethics has become more crucial than ever. Billions of people are already “plugged into the system”—now we need to find answers to how that system should ideally work.

Saisinko huomiosi? Kirja, joka jokaisen somenkäyttäjän pitäisi lukea

Otava, 2024, 336 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)

Reading materials:
English sample and synopsis
German sample
Finnish edition

About author


Perttu Pölönen

Perttu Pölönen is a futurist, inventor and an inspirational speaker. In the Finnish media, Perttu has been called a gentle highbrow and fearless inventor. Future Skills has been an instant bestseller in Finland – where Perttu has become one of the most sought-after speakers inspiring thousands of people in his lectures.

Read more Author's page

Bibliography


2023, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

The Digital Spell: The Hidden Power of Persuasive Technology

Perttu Pölönen


2021, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

Future Identities

Perttu Pölönen


2020, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

Future Skills

Perttu Pölönen

Related news

SANNA MARIN: FINLAND’S YOUNG PRIME MINISTER by Salla Vuorikoski nominated for the 2024 Finlandia Prize in Non-Fiction!

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We are very thrilled to announce that SANNA MARIN: FINLAND’S YOUNG PRIME MINISTER by an award-winning journalist Salla Vuorikoski, has been nominated for the 2024 Finlandia Prize in Non-Fiction!

Vuorikoski’s bestselling book has already sold over 12,000 copies, just three weeks after its publication. An international edition will soon be available. Rights already sold to Estonia at auction.

The jury praised the book:

The smooth narrative grips the reader from start to finish, and the precise, analytical text articulates the heated political developments of recent years. This intelligent, engaging work seeks an explanation to the question that haunts the political audience: what happened to Sanna Marin?

Click here to access all reading materials for SANNA MARIN: FINLAND’S YOUNG PRIME MINISTER!

Finlandia Prize is the most prestigious literary award in Finland, worth 30 000 euros. The winner will be announced on November 27.

Sanna Marin: Finland’s Young Prime Minister

Salla Vuorikoski

Sanna Marin through the eyes of her inner circle: how did she become an international superstar with 1 million followers on Instagram

In December 2019, a dramatic government crisis catapulted Sanna Marin to become the youngest Prime Minister in the world. Soon she was to lead a country whose inner and outer security would be threatened by a serious pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine.

The outspoken Prime Minister garnered both admiration and spite. For some, Marin’s unconventional stance towards the ministerial institution was too much to bear. At the end of her term, the young social democrat from Tampere had grown to become an international superstar for whom Finland was too small and stifling.

This biography details how Marin became a liberal symbol, an opponent of right-wing populism, and a role model for the world’s young women. Readers learn in-depth about her passionate support of Ukraine, along with a dive into the history of Finland’s former prime minister who joined a group of former leading politicians turned global consultants and speakers as part of an international network of leadership.

Salla Vuorikoski, a team lead of the investigative journalism unit at Finland’s largest newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, has amassed an extensive amount of information and interviewed dozens of political insiders and individuals close to Marin.

This book tells the story of what happened behind closed doors. What kind of leader was Sanna Marin? How did she change during her tumultuous ministerial years, and how did she become an international superstar?

Publication Info:
Sanna Marin. Poikkeuksellinen pääministeri

WSOY, 2024, 467 pp.

Rights Sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), ESTONIA: KAVA Kirjastus

Reading Materials:
English sample,
Table of contents and a summary of each chapter (international edition),
Full Finnish manuscript

About author


Salla Vuorikoski

Salla Vuorikoski is an accomplished journalist who currently works as the team lead of the investigative journalism unit at Finland's largest newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. Vuorikoski is an experienced reporter known for handling tough subjects and has previously worked at MTV, the public broadcaster YLE and Suomen kuvalehti magazine. She has been awarded the Great Journalism Prize and the Lumilapio Award for investigative journalism.

Read more

Bibliography


2024, General Nonfiction

Sanna Marin: Finland's Young Prime Minister

Salla Vuorikoski

Related news

A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE awarded with a Nonfiction Jury Award!

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More award news: the Association of Finnish Nonfiction Writers, stated to be Finland’s biggest writers organization with over 3300 members, just awarded Tiina Raevaara’s A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE! The award for Nonfiction Jury Award was presented at the Helsinki Book Fair.

About A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE:

For fans of Yuval Noah Harari and Rutger Bregman.

Science is developing at an even faster pace, and people are living longer and longer. With what methods has humanity over time fought against aging and death, and what methods will be used in the future?

Tiina Raevaara’s book weaves together the beginnings of scientific history, vampire stories, as well as the discoveries of stem cell treatment and gene editing. It dives into the cryotank and asks whether the vision of a lengthy life is still worth pursuing. If humanity accepted that they are part of all things organic – both living and dead – could we finally get rid of all the exhaustion, anxiety and need to rush?

Click here to download all materials for A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE!

Publication Info:
Ikuisen elämän lyhyt historia, Otava/Like 2024, 318 p.

Rights still available in Japan, China, UK, US, Italy, France, the Netherlands…

Reading Material:
English sample & synopsis, Finnish edition

About author


Tiina Raevaara

Tiina Raevaara (b. 1979) is a writer, science journalist, and biologist who received a PhD for her work in genetics. She received the State Award for Public Information and the Pro Scientia Prize from the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters. She has published ten novels, five non-fiction books, and a novella collection which was awarded the Runeberg Prize. Her suspense novel Double Helix (2020), the opening chapter of a new thriller series, received the Laurin Kirja audio book award, and the second installment in the series, Polar Vortex (2021), has been widely praised.

Raevaara’s books combine grand perspectives of natural science with compelling literary expression. She draws inspiration from Nordic nature, the major questions of science, and the complexities of humanity.

Raevaara lives in Kerava, a small town in Southern Finland, and goes on daily walks in the forest with her two black dogs.

Read more

Bibliography


2024, Narrative Nonfiction

A Short History of Eternal Life

Tiina Raevaara


2022, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction

Me, My Dog, and Humanity: A History of Coexistence Between Species

Tiina Raevaara

Related news

Estonian rights to SANNA MARIN: FINLAND’S YOUNG PRIME MINISTER sold at an auction!

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We hope everyone had a great FBF! Just as the fair wound down, we have more auction news: Estonian rights to Salla Vuorikoski’s SANNA MARIN: FINLAND’S YOUNG PRIME MINISTER sold to the highest bidder, KAVA Kirjastus! The book is making waves in Finnish news outlets – in fact, it shot up to instant bestseller status within a week of release! Within the first week the book sold 6,000 copies in all formats!

An international edition will soon be available.

We are thrilled to share a praise from Valdo Randpere, co-owner of Kava Kirjastus:

KAVA Kirjastus is known in Estonia as the publisher of such international hits as Catherine Belton’s “Putin’s People“, Owen Matthews’ “Overreach“, Sylvie Kauffmann’s “Les Aveuglés” and Simon Shuster’s “Showman“.  We are very happy that Salla Vuorikoski’s book “Sanna Marin. An extraordinary prime minister” is soon to be added to this list.

Sanna Marin is, of course, a well-known Finnish politician to Estonians, who to all Estonians will always be the prime minister who brought Finland into NATO. We are sure that the book about her will open many more interesting and so far unknown aspects of Sanna Marin’s life and political activities to Estonian readers.

We would like to express our special thanks to the Elina Ahlbäck Literary Agency, whose professionalism and promptness in reaching an agreement between us has been completely unprecedented.

We truly appreciate such kind words, we are excited to collaborate with KAVA Kirjastus!

Featured praise:

“The end result is a high-quality non-fiction book”
– Oskari Onninen, Helsingin Sanomat

“In the final part of the book, Vuorikoski lets herself go. She gives an interesting and comprehensive assessment of Marin’s transformation from prime minister and left-wing democrat to international celebrity with a huge social media following.”
– Heikki Vento, Suomen Kuvalehti

ABOUT SANNA MARIN: FINLAND’S YOUNG PRIME MINISTER:

In December 2019, a dramatic government crisis catapulted Sanna Marin to become the youngest Prime Minister in the world. Soon she was to lead a country whose inner and outer security would be threatened by a serious pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine.

The outspoken Prime Minister garnered both admiration and spite. For some, Marin’s unconventional stance towards the ministerial institution was too much to bear. At the end of her term, the young social democrat from Tampere had grown to become an international superstar for whom Finland was too small and stifling.

This biography details how Marin became a liberal symbol, an opponent of right-wing populism, and a role model for the world’s young women. Readers learn in-depth about her passionate support of Ukraine, along with a dive into the history of Finland’s former prime minister who joined a group of former leading politicians turned global consultants and speakers as part of an international network of leadership.

Salla Vuorikoski, a team lead of the investigative journalism unit at Finland’s largest newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, has amassed an extensive amount of information and interviewed dozens of political insiders and individuals close to Marin.

Click here to access all reading materials for SANNA MARIN: FINLAND’S YOUNG PRIME MINISTER!

Publication Info:
Sanna Marin. Poikkeuksellinen pääministeri – WSOY 2024 – 467 p.

Rights Sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), ESTONIA: KAVA Kirjastus

Rights still available in the UK, Germany, France, Scandinavian territories…

Reading Materials:
English sample,
Table of contents and a summary of each chapter (international edition),
Full Finnish manuscript

About author


Salla Vuorikoski

Salla Vuorikoski is an accomplished journalist who currently works as the team lead of the investigative journalism unit at Finland's largest newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. Vuorikoski is an experienced reporter known for handling tough subjects and has previously worked at MTV, the public broadcaster YLE and Suomen kuvalehti magazine. She has been awarded the Great Journalism Prize and the Lumilapio Award for investigative journalism.

Read more

Bibliography


2024, General Nonfiction

Sanna Marin: Finland's Young Prime Minister

Salla Vuorikoski

Related news

Introducing Ahlback Agency’s new authors for Fall 2024!

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We are very happy to announce representation of our wonderful new authors for the Fall 2024 season and couldn’t be more excited to share their new titles & works below! Welcome to the Ahlback Agency!

NON-FICTION: Salla Vuorikoski

CRIME & THRILLER: Anne Hietanen & Michaela von Kügelgen and Johanna Holmström

ROMANTASY & FANTASY & ROMANCE: S. K. Rostedt and Ann-Catrin Mattsson

CHILDREN’S: Hannu Laakso

Join us in welcoming our new authors aboard, read more about them and their excellent new titles below

Finally, click here to check out Ahlback Agency’s Fall 2024 catalogue online!

 

NON-FICTION:

Salla Vuorikoski: Sanna Marin: Finland’s Young Prime Minister

Salla Vuorikoski is an accomplished journalist who currently works as the team lead of the investigative journalism unit at Finland’s largest newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. Vuorikoski is an experienced reporter known for handling tough subjects and has previously worked at MTV, the public broadcaster YLE and Suomen kuvalehti magazine. She has been awarded the Great Journalism Prize and the Lumilapio Award for investigative journalism.

Sanna Marin: Finland’s Young Prime Minister 

(Sanna Marin. Poikkeuksellinen pääministeri, WSOY, November 2024)

In December 2019, a dramatic government crisis catapulted Sanna Marin to become the youngest Prime Minister in the world. Soon she was to lead a country whose inner and outer security would be threatened by a serious pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine. This biography details how Marin became a liberal symbol, an opponent of right-wing populism, and a role model for the world’s young women.

Photo: Otto Virtanen

Sanna Marin: Finland’s Young Prime Minister
Non-Fiction

 

FICTION:

Anne Hietanen & Michaela von Kügelgen: The Last Word

Anne Hietanen (1974) is a well-known journalist with a prominent role at Svenska Yle, a public broadcasting service. Anne has built a diverse career, working as both a host and producer in radio, as well as in television, including on the talk show An Evening with Anne and Hannah. Currently, she hosts the popular podcast Sällskapet.

Michaela “Kugge” von Kügelgen (1986) has three published titles under her belt. Her debut novel, Vad heter ångest på spanska?, was published in 2017. Her most recent work, Kickstarta ditt skrivande, is a non-fiction guide to writing.

The Last Word 

(Sista Ordet)

During the Helsinki Book Fair, author David Berglund is found dead in the harbour – the same day he was set to receive a literary prize. Philip Koski, a national hockey hero whose career was cut short by an injury, just joined the Helsinki Police Department and is assigned to the case.

At the same time, cultural journalist Tilde Björkqvist digs into David’s story. She was the last person to interview him and encountered a man whose words of joy and gratitude did not match his desperate revelation. At work, Tilde struggles against antiquated hierarchies – why are they trying to stop her investigation of the young writer?

 

Anne Hietanen                                       Michaela von Kügelgen

Photos: Markus Perttula

The Last Word
Crime & Thriller

 

Johanna Holmström: Wolf Cub

Johanna Holmström is one of the most successful Finnish-Swedish writers of her generation. Her works have been published in over 10 countries.

With Själarnas ö (2017), her acclaimed novel centered around women in a mental hospital in the Finnish archipelago from the late 1800s-1962, Holmström achieved her first public success, and the novel was nominated for the prestigious Runeberg Prize in 2018. Her latest book, the short story collection Handbok i klardrömmar (2022) was the first Finnish-Swedish title to receive the Karin Boye prize in Sweden.

Wolf Cub

(Vargens Unge, Albert Bonniers, August 2024)

One day, a dirty and unfamiliar little boy stands in Seija’s tulip bed. Upon seeing his wide-open eyes, her motherly heart overflows, but the boy refuses to say a word–only a memory card is found in his mouth. Police Inspector Minna and her sidekick Timo are called, but no one has reported a missing child. Who is the boy and where does he come from?

Photo: Thron Ullberg

Wolf Cub
Crime & Thriller

 

S. K. Rostedt: Daughter of Two Bloods

S.K. Rostedt aka Saara Rostedt (1993) is an author and marketing professional who grew up in Finland’s book capital Sastamala. Now based in Helsinki, she is an avid romantasy reader who loves to spend time in nature and at her summer cabin. She has popular BookTok and Bookstagram social channels, where she talks about her writing and reading experiences. S.K. Rostedt, who gave up reading as a teenager, rediscovered the world of books in her twenties with the help of romantasy, Saara is known in social media as @skrostedt.

Daughter of Two Bloods

(Kahden veren tytär, Otava, August 2024)

A debut enemies-to-lovers romantasy novel oozing with fae, demons, and hot romance.

Moorna is a 21-year-old half-elf whose life as an escort to the capital’s aristocracy is harrowing. She wants to pay off her escort debt as quickly as possible and return home with her friend Malkra to live a life free from discrimination. When Moorna accidentally stumbles upon the annoyingly handsome fae, Caidas, she is torn from all that is familiar and safe, and quickly learns that nothing is as it seems.


Photo: Jonne Räsänen
Daughter of Two Bloods
Romantasy

 

Ann-Catrin Mattsson: Daughter of Earth

Ann-Catrin Mattsson (born 1984) is a Swedish writer, coach, and lecturer. She blends dramatic tension, epic saga, and historical romance, drawing comparisons to works like Outlander, A Discovery of Witches, and the Brothers Grimm. In 2024, the EARTHBORN series claimed the top spot in the Swedish Fantastic Council’s ranking of fantasy series in the Adult category. Previously, the series earned accolades such as Debut of the Year 2022 and Series of the Year 2023 in its genre.

Daughter of Earth

(Dotter av jord, WAPI, 2021)

The year is 1649, and war ravages Europe. In occupied Ireland, we meet Ailea, a young woman whose clairvoyance evokes both envy and fear. Compelled to seek refuge in Scotland with her family, Ailea’s path crosses with Magy Cullane, a sage woman with connections to the enigmatic Order. Thus does Ailea plunge into a realm of intrigue and millennia-old secrets.

Meanwhile, on the continent, in the Italian city of Bologna, the young hot-tempered soldier Roderic begins his military training at the war school. After stumbling upon a mysterious necklace in the mountains, a fair-haired girl begins to haunt his dreams – Ailea. A timeless bond, stretching across centuries, unbreakable even by death.


Photo: Asserlind Photography

Daughter of Earth
Historical Romantasy

 

CHILDREN’S:

Hannu Laakso: Meet the Fox Family

Hannu Laakso is a Finnish photographer and writer, who is fascinated by the purity of Nordic nature. He has won a Finnish state award for this children’s Fun & Facts book series, which introduces us to urban and rural wildlife. He bought his first SLR camera in 1982. In 2014 he finally decided to start participating in international photography competitions. He has received 130 international photography awards, and well over 500 unique photos have been accepted to international photo exhibitions in more than 80 countries.

Meet the Fox Family

(Me kettuset, Into, 2020)

What does the fox family’s summer entail? Some quirky fun and playful lessons, for a start! Meet the Fox Family combines animal education with a fictional story to match. Readers will join these adorable foxes in their daily adventures, watching as the small pup grows up and becomes independent. At the same time, readers learn facts about foxes and their way of life. What do fox pups eat? What’s it like seeing the surrounding world through their eyes–literally? And why does a fox’s den smell?


Photo: Mikko Palonkorpi

Meet the Fox Family
Picture Books – Non-Fiction