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.

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!

1^st 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!

2^nd 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.

3^rd 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/

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.