Mari Ahokoivu

BRIDE OF PRANKENSTEIN sold to Latvia!

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We are very excited to announce that Petergailis has acquired the Latvian rights for the hilarious BRIDE OF PRANKENSTEIN by Kaisa Paasto, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu! This is the sequel to Prankenstein which was published in Latvia earlier this year! The deal was closed by Satu Sallantaus at Ahlbäck Agency.

The series follows a fifth grader, Elmeri, who never thought of a career in pranks, until he accidentally manages a great prank. Now, he will become the amazing Prankenstein. The prank ends up being the hottest topic in the school, earns Elmeri the attention of a girl next door, and inspires his cousin Robin to become Elmeri’s PPT (Prank Personal Trainer). Elmeri embarks on a number of pranks which also help him stand up to a school bully named Leo, but which eventually start to turn against him. In addition to his prankster career, Elmeri also tries to lift the spirits of her sister Ida who has recently lost a foot in an accident.

The second book continues the story: After the previous prank disaster, Elmeri has sworn off pranks for good. No more pranks. At all. Zilch. Until someone starts pulling pranks on the principal, making it look like Elmeri is behind it. And things just keep getting worse…

We have the full English PDF of the first book, and full English text for the second book.

DOWNLOAD ALL MATERIALS FOR PRANKENSTEIN HERE

PRANKENSTEIN
Tammi 2024, 112 pp.

BRIDE OF PRANKENSTEIN
Prankensteinin morsian
Tammi 2025, 100 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Tammi
LATVIA: Petergailis
POLAND: Greg
WORLD SPANISH (excl. Spain): V&R Editoras

Reading materials:
Full English PDF (book 1), Full English text (book 2), Finnish PDFs

About author


Kaisa Paasto

Kaisa Paasto spent her childhood in the north of Finland and now lives in Espoo with her husband, two children and Saku the dog. Kaisa has a master’s degree in Comparative Literature and has previously worked as translator, content specialist and entrepreneur. Apart from the Anni books she has published psychological thrillers for adults by Storytel Original.

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

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Latvian rights for PRANKENSTEIN acquired by Petergailis!

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So much exciting deal news this week! We’re thrilled to announce that Petergailis has acquired Latvian rights for Prankenstein, the clever and hilarious book by Kaisa Paasto, with illustrations by Mari Ahokoivu.

The news couldn’t come for a better time. We’ve just received the cover for the sequel book, Bride of Prankenstein. Doesn’t it look fantastic? Tammi will publish the Finnish edition in May 2025 and we have a full English text for you to read.

Prankenstein doesn’t underestimate children with its choice of words; instead, it even offers a bit of a challenge. The result is a fun and smooth-flowing children’s book.
– Kirjavinkit

About PRANKENSTEIN:

For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Fifth grader Elmeri has never seriously considered a career as a prankster. But he manages to do a superbly great prank – completely accidentally. Elmeri’s cousin Robin thinks his chance has come and becomes Elmeri’s Personal Prankster Trainer. With his coaching, Elmeri will be the amazing Prankenstein and his best prank will be remembered by future generations!

Elmeri also realizes that pranks may be a good opportunity to impress Mima, who lives on the same street and is quite OK. The pranks also help when Leo, the bully at school, needs to be dealt with. But when a planned prank involves a famous magician and the president of Finland, Elmeri has to ask himself: can you take it too far?

Click here to download the full English PDF of PRANKENSTEIN and the full English text of sequel

And now for a sneak peek at BRIDE OF PRANKENSTEIN…

The very popular Prankenstein is back! Well, not quite.

After the previous prank disaster, Elmeri has sworn off pranks for good. No more pranks. At all. Zilch. Until someone starts pulling pranks on Principal Ruustinen, making it look like Elmeri is behind it. And things just keep getting worse…

Elmeri is excited about the big trip to Stockholm with Mima (the girl next door who’s “pretty okay”) and the other members of the student council. But now Principal Ruustinen wants to punish Elmeri, and the whole trip is on the line!

It’s clear that Elmeri’s arch-nemesis Leo is behind all of this – or is he?

The original Prankenstein has to come out of retirement. He can’t just rest on his laurels when great deeds are waiting to be done.

 

Prankenstein’s strength lies in its straightforward portrayal of an ordinary family.
– Lastenkirjahylly

Publication Info:
Prankenstein, Tammi 2024, 112 pp, b&w illustrations

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Tammi, LATVIA: Petergailis, POLAND: Greg, WORLD SPANISH (excl. Spain): VR EDITORAS Mexico

Reading Material:
Full English PDF

About author


Kaisa Paasto

Kaisa Paasto spent her childhood in the north of Finland and now lives in Espoo with her husband, two children and Saku the dog. Kaisa has a master’s degree in Comparative Literature and has previously worked as translator, content specialist and entrepreneur. Apart from the Anni books she has published psychological thrillers for adults by Storytel Original.

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

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Two-book World Spanish (excl. Spain) deal for PRANKENSTEIN 1+2!

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We are thrilled to announce that Mexican publisher VR Editoras has acquired World Spanish rights (excl. Spain) in a two-book deal for PRANKENSTEIN books 1 + 2 by Kaisa Paasto and Mari Ahokoivu! The deal was negotiated by our wonderful co-agent Anna Ascolies at IMC Agencia.

Download the full English PDF for Prankenstein 1 here!

PRANKENSTEIN 2 is slated for release in Spring 2025, but until then here’s a sneak peek showing us that, despite appearances, Elmeri’s prank-ventures aren’t quite over:

 

The very popular Prankenstein is back!
Well, not quite. Since the whole debacle last spring Elmeri has sworn off pranks.

No more pranks. At all. Zilch.
But then there’s a development. Someone is pranking principal Ruustinen and making it look like it was Elmeri. And it gets worse.

Elmeri was excited for the big trip to Stockholm with Mima (the girl next door who’s “ok”) and the other student council members. But now, as punishment, Principal Ruustinen has banned Elmeri from going!
Obviously the one doing the framing is Elmeri’s arch-enemy Leo – or is it?

The original Prankenstein has to come out of retirement. You can’t rest on your laurels when great deeds await.

 

For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Kaisa Paasto’s hilarious writing and Mari Ahokoivu’s engaging art make this highly illustrated middle grade a delight to read!

Rights still available in the US/UK, France, Italy…

PRANKENSTEIN
Tammi, March 2024, 112 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Tammi
POLAND: Greg
WORLD SPANISH (excl. Spain): VR EDITORAS Mexico

About author


Kaisa Paasto

Kaisa Paasto spent her childhood in the north of Finland and now lives in Espoo with her husband, two children and Saku the dog. Kaisa has a master’s degree in Comparative Literature and has previously worked as translator, content specialist and entrepreneur. Apart from the Anni books she has published psychological thrillers for adults by Storytel Original.

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

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PRANKENSTEIN by Kaisa Paasto and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu sold to Poland!

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We are back from Bologna book fair and are happy to report that Publishing House Greg has snapped up the Polish rights to PRANKENSTEIN by Kaisa Paasto and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu! This deal was closed by Anna Kappauf at Elina Ahlback Agency.

Publishing House Greg is a children’s books publisher publishing children’s and YA titles from the classics to more contemporary titles as well as educational books for children.

PRANKENSTEIN was creating a nice buzz during Bologna book fair – the funny and heartwarming story, fresh black-and-white illustrations, and relatively short text with appeal for reluctant and first time readers seemed to tick many boxes of what editors were looking for across all territories!

And we have a full English sample translation for you to read!

Download the English materials for PRANKENSTEIN here!

Prankenstein
Tammi, 2024, 112 pp.

Reading material:
Full English translation
Finnish edition

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
Poland: Greg

About author


Kaisa Paasto

Kaisa Paasto spent her childhood in the north of Finland and now lives in Espoo with her husband, two children and Saku the dog. Kaisa has a master’s degree in Comparative Literature and has previously worked as translator, content specialist and entrepreneur. Apart from the Anni books she has published psychological thrillers for adults by Storytel Original.

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER sold to Sweden!

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We are happy to announce that the Swedish rights for the non-fiction title I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER by Tero Mielonen and Mari Ahokoivu have been acquired by Swedish publisher Epix! The deal was closed by Anna Kappauf at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Previously sold to Bulgaria and Latvia, I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER shows children how they can turn their interests into careers in science and research, proofing that everyone can be a scientist!

Praise for I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER:

“I’ll Become a Researcher tells you the basics of every discipline with accuracy and precision. Even If a preschooler will not understand all words, the excellent illustrations can help bring the research equipment and objects of investigation to life.  The presentation was also approved by my 12-year-old son, who is a little older than the target group. The comic in the end of the book gets a special commendation. Clear demonstration, I liked it!”
– Elina Lindfors, Tähdet ja Avaruus -magazine, Finland

We have a full English pdf for you to read and the rights are still available in UK, US, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Korea etc!

Download the full English pdf for I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER here!

 

Maailman tutkijat
Ursa, 2021, 53pp

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Ursa (orig.)
BULGARIA: Enthusiast
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
SWEDEN: Epix

Reading materials:
Full English pdf

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

About author


Tero Mielonen

Tero Mielonen (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 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. A graphic novel written by Mielonen, The Ozone Diary, was shortlisted for Comic/Graphic Novel at the British Fantasy Awards 2020. Mielonen lives in Kuopio and is partial to cycling everywhere.

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Illustrator Mari Ahokoivu wins the Puupäähattu Award! 

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We are excited to share the news that our illustrator Mari Ahokoivu has won the Puupäähattu Award, given yearly to an established comic artist by the Finnish Comics Society!
The award has been given out since 1972, and past winners include e.g. Mauri Kunnas, Tom of Finland, and Tove and Lars Jansson! The name of the prize refers to the hat of Ola Fogelberg’s classic character Pekka Puupää.

Mari has illustrated e.g. multiple children’s nonfiction titles – the newest one is the lovely I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER, written by Tero Mielonen, and together with Laura Ertimo she’s worked on the WEIRD WEATHER series, sold to 17 territories! 
She has also illustrated the charming ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER series, written by Kaisa Paasto!

Congrats on the award Mari!

Reminder: The FILI translation grant application round is ongoing! FILI provides grants that can cover up to 70% of the costs of translating Finnish and Finland-Swedish titles to other languages. The deadline for the current application round is February 1st. You can find more information here: Translation and printing grants for publishers outside Finland – FILI

 

I’ll Become a Researcher

Tero Mielonen, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu

Anyone can become a researcher!

South American Kat used to examine the starry skies with her father and now her job is to search for new planets. Marjane loved hunting for treasures, and she became an archeologist who solves the mysteries of ancient cultures. Eduardo loved playing video games. He did not become a professional gamer, but now he creates climate models and ponders what our world will be like in a hundred years. All kinds of people do science, and anyone can become a scientist!

Download the materials for I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER here!

 

Weird Weather

Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu

Answering children’s tough questions about climate change and explaining 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 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.

The independent sequel, Where Did the Animals Go which helps to understand the biodiversity crisis, was awarded the Tietopöllö Award for best children’s nonfiction in 2022!

Download the materials for WEIRD WEATHER here!

 

Anni the Friend Tamer series

Kaisa Paasto, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu

Shy people of the world, unite!

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? Anni also has another problem. Her new pet pig only wants to stay in his safe place, under the table. Good thing Anni’s brother has just had a back operation, as this means he has lots of time to lie in bed and dole out advice. Anni’s parents are alright as far as parents go, even if they laugh a bit too much at their own jokes.

So it’s not all bad – Anni just needs to become a ‘friend tamer’!

Download the materials for the ANNI THE FRIEND TAMER series here!

I’ll Become a researcher
Maailman Tutkijat
URSA, 2021, 53 pp.
Rights sold: FINLAND: Ursa (orig.), BULGARIA: Enthusiast, LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
Reading materials: Full English sample

 

Weird Weather! 
Ihme Ilmat – miksi ilmasto muuttuu
Into Kustannus, 2019, 48pp
Rights sold: FINLAND: Into Kustannus (orig.), DENMARK: Staarup & Co., ESTONIA: Avita, GERMANY: Cross Cult, HUNGARY: Ciceró Könyvstúdió, ITALY: Mondadori/Edizioni Piemme, LATVIA: Jumava, LITHUANIA: Obuolys, MEXICO: (Latin American Spanish rights): Ordinal Books, NORTH MACEDONIA: Feniks, NORWAY: Aschehoug, POLAND: Amber, SERBIA: Odiseja, SLOVAKIA: Ikar, SPAIN: Astronave, SWEDEN: Rabén & Sjögren, TURKEY: Kolektif, UNITED STATES (North America): Skyhorse Publishing/Sky Pony Press
Reading materials: Full English PDF

 

Anni the Friend Tamer
Anni Kaverinkesyttäjä
Tammi, March 2020, 128 pp.
Rights sold: FINLAND: Tammi (orig.), ALBANIA: Muza (books 1-2), GERMANY: Loewe Verlag (books 1-3)
Reading materials: Finnish edition, English sample and synopsis

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

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Related news

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

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

About author


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.

Read more Author's page

About author


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 over 20 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.

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About author


Tero Mielonen

Tero Mielonen (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 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. A graphic novel written by Mielonen, The Ozone Diary, was shortlisted for Comic/Graphic Novel at the British Fantasy Awards 2020. Mielonen lives in Kuopio and is partial to cycling everywhere.

Read more

About author


Tuutikki Tolonen

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

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

Tuutikki was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026.

Photo credit: Otto Virtanen

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I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER sold to Latvia! First international sale for this Children’s Non-Fiction title!

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We are overjoyed to announce that the Latvian rights for I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER, a children’s non-fiction title written by Tero Mielonen and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, have been acquired by Latvijas Mediji! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Latvijas Mediji praised the book for being an inspiring and entertaining read:

“I’ll Become a Researcher” is a vibrant and important book, introducing young readers to the various career options that their interests can lead to. This book celebrates the need for research and evidence-based thinking in the modern world (including the importance of humanities!). It will provide many fun hours for the readers and their parents and teachers who will be able to study the detailed illustrations and discuss the different professions of the world together.
– Līva Kukle, Children’s Editor, Latvijas Mediji

Download the full English PDF here!

I’LL BECOME A RESEARCHER
by Tero Mielonen and Mari Ahokoivu
Ursa, 2021, 53 pp.

South American Kat used to examine the starry skies with her father and now her job is to search for new planets. Marjane loved hunting for treasures, and she became an archeologist who solves the mysteries of ancient cultures. Eduardo loved playing video games. He did not become a professional gamer, but now he creates climate models and ponders what our world will be like in a hundred years. All kinds of people do science, and anyone can become a scientist!

MAAILMAN TUTKIJAT
Ursa, 2021, 53 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
Full English PDF

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Ursa (orig.)
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

About author


Tero Mielonen

Tero Mielonen (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 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. A graphic novel written by Mielonen, The Ozone Diary, was shortlisted for Comic/Graphic Novel at the British Fantasy Awards 2020. Mielonen lives in Kuopio and is partial to cycling everywhere.

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WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO sold to Hungary!

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We are very excited to let you know that the WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO written by Laura Ertimo and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu has now been acquired in Hungary by the publisher Tessloff Babilon!
Rights have now been sold to Germany, Hungary and Estonia!
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

This amazing title won 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.)

ESTONIA: Avita
GERMANY: Cross Cult
HUNGARY: Tessloff Babilon

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

Estonian rights sold for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO

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We are very happy to announce that the Estonian rights to the award-winning WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO have now been acquired by Avita! The wonderful title won the Tieto-Lauri prize for Children’s and YA non-fiction 2021 and the German rights were sold just last week! 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.

 

The rights are still available in Denmark, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Hungary, Norway, Lithuania, Czech Republic etc.

Download the English sample and Finnish pdf for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO

The book just last week 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
written 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?

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Into (orig.)

GERMANY: Cross Cult
ESTONIA: Avita

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

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

Posted on

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

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

‘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.)

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

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

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

‘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.)

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

Now 16 rights sold for WEIRD WEATHER!

Posted on

We are very excited to let you know that WEIRD WEATHER has now sold to North Macedonian publisher Feniks! 

Publisher Feniks said:

Our Mother planet Earth needs our help! This wonderful book written by Laura Ertimo with beautiful illustrations by Mari Ahokoivu will help the readers (young and adults) to better understand why the climate is changing and how we can help and contribute towards a better future and save the planet for future generations.
– Nena Anastasovska, Publishing House Feniks, North Macedonia

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.

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Into (orig.),
DENMARK: Staarup & Co.,
ESTONIA: Avita,
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

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

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

About author


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 five times, most recently in 2025.

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.

Read more Author's page

About author


Kaisa Paasto

Kaisa Paasto spent her childhood in the north of Finland and now lives in Espoo with her husband, two children and Saku the dog. Kaisa has a master’s degree in Comparative Literature and has previously worked as translator, content specialist and entrepreneur. Apart from the Anni books she has published psychological thrillers for adults by Storytel Original.

Read more

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

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About author


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.

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

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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

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


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 30 territories around the world. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finlandia Prize for children's and YA literature and the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated  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.

Read more Author's page

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

About author


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.

Read more Author's page

Latvian rights sold for WEIRD WEATHER! Turkish for ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH!

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Today we are very glad to announce that Laura Ertimo and Mari Ahokoivu’s WEIRD WEATHER has now sold to Latvia – the happy publishing house is Jumava!

This paramount title about climate change has now already sold to 15 territories!

Download the full English pdf for WEIRD WEATHER here

Also, Laura Ertimo and Satu Kontinen’s ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH now has a Turkish publisher: Alfa publishing house! Previously the title with amazing maps and stories has been sold to AST in Russia and just last week to Eurograf in Poland.

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

We are also excited to share for the first time full English pdf for very timely MINI SCIENCE 2: INVISIBLE WORLD – another very important title by Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Sanna Pellicioni.

The book teaches small children about invisible things – imaginary friends, bacteria and viruses. It also covers the very important topic of vaccinations and how to behave when you are sick.

Download the full English pdf for this timely title here.

ABOUT WEIRD WEATHER:

Climate changes, why don’t we?

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.

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

ABOUT MINI SCIENCE SERIES:

Mini Science is a new nonfiction series for the smallest in the family. The series will tackle big science questions with lovely illustrations, and encourages kids to wonder and ask questions. It feeds curiosity and is designed to start conversations about different topics that children might not think about on their own.
In #1 Where Are You? we follow Plop, a little creature who guides us through space to the Earth and from there to the human DNA and finally to the world of atoms. Zooming in all the way from the enormities of space to the minisculness of atoms, we learn a great deal in between.

In #2 Invisible World  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!

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

About author


Sanna Pelliccioni

Sanna Pelliccioni is a Finnish illustrator, graphic designer and children’s author living in Helsinki with her Finnish-Italian family. An awarded illustrator, Pelliccioni has been e.g. honoured with being the only Finn named on the IBBY honour list 2022. Pelliccioni utilizes many different techniques in her illustrations, some of her favourites are collage and mixed techniques. She studied Arts and Illustration in Bologna and Macerata, Italy, and Graphic Design at the Pekka Halonen Institute in Finland.

She loves illustrating picture books and poems and making graphic design for book covers and her own books. She also writes for children and young people and concerning the themes of books she’s especially interested in equality, indigenous people, myths and taboos, forest and nature. Pelliccioni is mostly known for her Onni-poika picture book series which started in 2007 and contains 15 books so far.

​Pelliccioni collaborates with authors writing for children and young people and works with many Finnish editors. Some of her books have been translated to Chinese, Korean, Arabic, English and Swedish, Turkish and Estonian.

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About author


Satu Kontinen

Satu Kontinen 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.

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MARESI is now sold to 24 territories! Excellent reviews for LITTLE MOUSE’S SUMMER, AGNES and ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH!

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MARESI is now sold to 24 territories!
Excellent reviews for LITTLE MOUSE’S SUMMER, AGNES and ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH!

We are very happy to announce that MARESI by Maria Turtschaninoff has now been sold to 24 territories!
The Azerbaijani rights were bought today by Alatoran. Rights were also recently acquired in Bulgaria by Izida.
This bestselling YA title has sold to already 24 territories, but the rights are still available in Russia, Czech Republic, Greece, Lithuania, Slovenia,  Japan, Portugal, Croatia and in many other countries. See the rights sold list.

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!

Request the full English PDFs for the trilogy by clicking here.

About THE RED ABBEY CHRONICLES: 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.

Meanwhile, Finland’s biggest daily Helsingin Sanomat has reviews for just-published children’s titles LITTLE MOUSE’S SUMMER, AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS and ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH.

LITTLE MOUSE’S SUMMER

“Good-mood book for children and adults!”
– Helsingin Sanomat

The 6th title of Little Mouse picture book series deals with summer.
Summer holiday is full of fun: going to the amusement park, playing by the beach and visiting the art museum. Buying strawberries and ice cream, and going to the cinema when the weather is too hot. Little Mouse knows that one must enjoy the summer, because it doesn’t last forever.

Ask for English materials here

ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH

“Text is flowy and interesting, but the illustrations make this surprising, almost lyrical!”
– Helsingin Sanomat

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.

Ask for English materials here.

AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS 

“Fast-paced mystery plot and relatable strong characters.”
– Helsingin Sanomat

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?

Ask for English materials here.

RED ABBEY CHRONICLES
Rights sold: for the series:

FINLAND (orig.)

AZERBAIJAN
BELGIUM
BRAZIL
BULGARIA
CANADA
CHINA (Simplified)
DENMARK
ESTONIA
FINLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY
HUNGARY
ITALY
LATVIA
NETHERLANDS
NORWAY
POLAND
ROMANIA
WORLD SPANISH
SWEDEN
TURKEY
UNITED KINGDOM
UNITED STATES
FILM RIGHTS

LITTLE MOUSE’S SUMMER
Rights sold for the series:

FINLAND (orig.)

AUSTRALIA
CATALAN
CHINA
DENMARK
ESTONIA,
FRANCE
NEPAL
NEW ZEALAND
PORTUGAL,
RUSSIA
SPAIN
UNITED KINGDOM

ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH
Rights sold:

FINLAND (orig.)

 

AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS
Rights sold:

FINLAND (orig.)

CZECH REPUBLIC
DENMARK
ESTONIA
RUSSIA

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

About author


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 over 20 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.

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About author


Satu Kontinen

Satu Kontinen 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.

Read more

About author


Tuutikki Tolonen

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

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

Tuutikki was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026.

Photo credit: Otto Virtanen

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WEIRD WEATHER will be published in the United States on Earth Day 2021!

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Breaking news! One of the very first books in the world for children about climate change: WEIRD WEATHER by geographer Laura Ertimo and illustrator Mari Ahokoivu will be published in the United States on Earth Day in Spring 2021. North American rights were acquired by Sky Pony Press, a children’s imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, and deal was brokered in collaboration with Rhea Lyons, at HG Literary.  Published in Finland by Into Kustannus in September 2019, Weird Weather has been now sold in 14 territories!

Praise from the US Publisher:
I’m so excited to add WEIRD WEATHER to Sky Pony’s list! This important book delivers information about climate change to children in a way that’s both easily digestible and entertaining. Hopefully children and parents alike will get a better sense of the world around them – and what they can do for it – after this read!
– Nicole Frail, Senior Editor, Skyhorse Publishing, Inc./Sky Pony Press

Sky Pony Press specializes in nonfiction for kids, specifically about the challenges of growing up and the world around us, and the books are distributed in the US by Simon & Schuster.

WEIRD WEATHER answers children’s tough questions about climate change, and explains how we all can fight against it. 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.

About the authors:

LAURA ERTIMO is a geographer and author of several non-fiction titles who specializes in the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

MARI AHOKOIVU is an illustrator and a comic book artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly graphic novels and comics for children. Ahokoivu loves everything cute and scary. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Into Kustannus (orig.)
ESTONIA: Avita
HUNGARY: Ciceró Könyvstúdió
ITALY: Mondadori/Edizioni Piemme
LITHUANIA: Obuolys
MEXICO: (Latin American Spanish rights): Ordinal Books
NORWAY: Aschehoug
POLAND: Amber
SERBIA: Odiseja
SLOVAKIA: Ikar
SPAIN: Astronave
SWEDEN: Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY: Kolektif
UNITED STATES (North America) Skyhorse Publishing/Sky Pony Press

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

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

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

About author


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.

Read more Author's page

About author


Tuutikki Tolonen

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

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

Tuutikki was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026.

Photo credit: Otto Virtanen

Read more

10th foreign sale for WEIRD WEATHER! Slovak rights to IKAR!

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WEIRD WEATHER! was just sold to IKAR in Slovakia, and has now been already sold to 10 countries since the first publication in October – From Italy to Sweden, from Serbia to Spain.

Click here to request English materials.

The worldwide interest in climate change is at an all-time high!
With Madrid Climate Summit ending this week, there are millions of children at home asking – what is climate change and what to do to stop it?
We have answers! Look no further than to a non-fiction book by Laura Ertimo and Mari Ahokoivu called WEIRD WEATHER! that could help children (and adults) understand the changing climate and the concrete steps to fight it.

Lucia Hlubeňová at IKAR is excited about the book:

“We are very honored to be the Slovak publisher of Weird Weather. We appreciate that the book combines educational and entertaining elements. The theme of the book is extremely important in light of current events. We thank the authors and we look forward to launching the book on the Slovak market next year.”
– Lucia Hlubeňová, Editor-in-chief for children’s literature, IKAR, a.s., Slovakia

MORE PUBLISHERS’ PRAISE:

We are so thrilled to have acquired the Italian rights for Weird Weather! Telling the children about what is happening to our planet and the way we could still make it right is a moral duty for us, the generation who has messed it up. Laura Ertimo and Mari Ahokoivu make it funny and entertaining, which is the best key to get the children engaged to such a relevant topic. – Alessandro Gelso, Publisher, Edizioni Il Battello a Vapore – Piemme/Mondadori Children’s Books

“We’re extremely proud to be the Hungarian publisher of Weird Weather. Minutes after opening the manuscript a few weeks ago, we knew this is a one of a kind book: not only because it deals with a crucially important topic but also because of how it deals with it. We think the illustrations and the whole layout is captivating, and the fact that the book is informative and entertaining at the same time is astonishing. We congratulate the authors and are looking forward to publishing Weird Weather next year”
– Zoltan Komlo, Rights Director, Ciceró Könyvstúdió, Hungary

“This wonderfully illustrated and rather informative book may be the perfect way to help children (and adults) understand the importance of climate change and realize that if everyone made one small step in stopping it, our world would be much better and healthier place to live in.”
– Vesna Kapuran, Odiseja Publishing House, Serbia

“It’s a real pleasure for us to acquire the Turkish translation rights of Weird Weather. This beautifully illustrated book not only gives facts about climate change, but also presents the steps that we can take to stop this serious problem in an entertaining way. This will be a great read for children (and also for adults). “ 
– Evrim Öncül, editor, Kolektif Publishing, Turkey

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.

IHME ILMAT! Into Kustannus,
September 2019, 48 pp.
235 x 250 mm,
four-colour illustrations

Rights sold:

FINLAND:
Into Kustannus (orig.)
ESTONIA:
Eesti Raamat
HUNGARY:
Ciceró Könyvstúdió
ITALY:
Mondadori/Edizioni Piemme
LITHUANIA:
Obuolys
NORWAY:
Aschehoug
SERBIA:
Odiseja
SLOVAKIA:
Ikar
SPAIN:
Astronave
SWEDEN:
Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY:
Kolektif

Reading materials:
English sample,full English text, Finnish pdf

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

3 new children’s deals: Weird Weather, Princess Rascal and Monster Nanny!

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3 new children’s deals: Weird Weather, Princess Rascal and Monster Nanny!
We are very excited to announce our 3 new children’s deals!

WEIRD WEATHER! Why Does Climate Change? – a book that explains climate change to children (and adults) was just acquired by Astronave in Spain.

WEIRD WEATHER was published only in October and has already sold to Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey which means that soon the book will be published in 10 territories!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. The book is written by Laura Ertimo and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu.

Request the reading materials for Weird Weather here!

Lithuanian publisher Nieko Rimto 
acquired the rights for:

  • Elina Hirvonen’s Princess Rascal and
  • Tuutikki Tolonen’s Monster Nanny!

Princess Rascal is a spirited and resourceful little girl, like the kid sister of Pippi Longstocking!

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 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.
The book is written by Elina Hirvonen and illustrated by Mervi Lindman.

Request the full English pdf for Princess Rascal by clicking here.

Monster Nanny is a wonderful middle-grade book, first of a trilogy that has already sold to 25 countries and a feature film is in development by Scott Free Productions.

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.

Tolonen seamlessly intertwines contemporary life with a world full of strange creatures. Monster Nanny is at once a refreshing change of pace and a return to timeless adventure.
The author of the book is Tuutikki Tolonen and the illustrations are done by Pasi Pitkänen.

Request the full English manuscript for Monster Nanny by clicking here.

WEIRD WEATHER
Ihme ilmat!
Into Kustannus 2019, 48 pp.
235 x 250 mm, four-color-illustrations

Rights sold:

FINLAND:
Into Kustannus (orig.)

ESTONIA:
Eesti Raamat
HUNGARY:
Ciceró Könyvstúdió
ITALY:
Mondadori/Edizioni Piemme
LITHUANIA:
Obuolys
NORWAY:
Aschehoug
SERBIA:
Odiseja
SPAIN:
Astronave
SWEDEN:
Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY:
Kolektif

 

PRINCESS RASCAL
Prinsessa Rämäpään talvitaika, Tammi, 42pp

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Tammi
(orig. publisher)

LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto

 

MONSTER NANNY
Mörkövahti, Tammi, 303pp

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

About author


Elina Hirvonen

Elina Hirvonen is an award-winning Finnish novelist and documentary filmmaker whose work has been translated into multiple languages. Her debut novel When I Forgot was featured on the front page of The New York Times Book Review and received acclaim from The Independent, The Guardian, Financial Times, and The Globe and Mail.

Hirvonen has been awarded the Kalevi Jäntti Prize and the Nuori Aleksis Prize, and her work has been nominated for the prestigious Finlandia Prize.

Her recent documentary film, The Secret Reading Club of Kabul explores reading, resistance, and inner life under conditions of violence—questions that also resonate at the heart of her latest nove, The Logbook of Beauty.

Read more

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

About author


Mervi Lindman

Mervi Lindman is a much-loved illustrator whose cheerful artworks have been published in 19 different countries to date. Her work is full of humor, warmth, and emotional depth. She captures the magical world of childhood and the wonders of everyday life in her illustrations. Lindman’s passion lies in creating imagery that speaks to children while also entertaining adults. Lindman’s illustrations have been regularly appraised by critics and public alike.

Read more

About author


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.

Read more Author's page

About author


Tuutikki Tolonen

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

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

Tuutikki was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026.

Photo credit: Otto Virtanen

Read more

3 New children’s non-fiction deals: Weird Weather, What is Night and What is Water!

Posted on
We are very excited to announce our 3 new children’s non-fiction deals!

WEIRD WEATHER! Why Does Climate Change? – a much-needed book that explains climate change to children (and adults) was just acquired by Kolektif Publishing in Turkey.

The book was published only in October and has already sold to 8 territories: Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Serbia, Sweden and Turkey!

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. The book is written by Laura Ertimo and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu.

Praise: “It’s a real pleasure for us to acquire the Turkish translation rights of Weird Weather. This beautifully illustrated book not only gives facts about climate change but also presents the steps that we can take to stop this serious problem in an entertaining way. This will be a great read for children (and also for adults). “
– Evrim Öncül, editor, Kolektif Publishing, Turkey

Request the reading materials for Weird Weather here!

Estonian publisher Tammerraamat acquired the rights for Laura Ertimo’s What is Night and What is Water (both illustrated by Satu Kontinen). The books have now been sold to China, Russia and Estonia.

Praise: „When we found Laura Ertimo and Satu Kontinen’s „What is Night“ and „What is Water“, we knew that they could be something special for Estonian children. The contents are written in simple language and deal with basic questions that children want to know: What IS the night? Why do I need to sleep? What is the purpose of water in nature? Sometimes even adults cannot answer those questions and that’s where the books are really helpful. The illustrations are also very special, playful and even a bit mystical. The books are written with heart and form a complete whole. We really like them and hopefully so will the Estonian children.“
– Tiina Tammer, Editor, Tammerraamat publishing, Estonia.

About the books:

What is Night? spins a captivating tale of true facts interspersed with myths and legends, explaining how the moon gets its glow, to the Ancient myths of how the night was created. This is the perfect bedtime book to read to others, both old and young, or oneself.

This dark and mysterious book tells gentle stories about darkness and sleep. Divided into four parts, What is the Night? draws narratives from disciplines including astronomy, nocturnal nature, the physiology of sleep, and dreams, ending with an epilogue of multilingual good night wishes.

Request the English sample for What is Night by clicking here.

What Is Water? is an eye-opening non-fiction book for the whole family about the most important substance in the world. It examines water from four different perspectives: The Planet, Nature, The Human and The Dive. By popularizing physics, geography and history, for example, we get to know over 60 ways in which water is connected with life on Earth.

Request the English sample for What is Water by clicking here.

 

WEIRD WEATHER
Ihme ilmat!
Into Kustannus 2019, 48 pp.
235 x 250 mm, four-color-illustrations

Rights sold:

FINLAND:
Into Kustannus (orig.)

ESTONIA:
Eesti Raamat
HUNGARY:
Ciceró Könyvstúdió
ITALY:
Mondadori/Edizioni Piemme
LITHUANIA:
Obuolys
NORWAY:
Aschehoug
SERBIA:
Odiseja
SWEDEN:
Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY:
Kolektif

 

WHAT IS NIGHT
Yö. Kirja unesta ja pimeän salaisuuksista, Myllylahti, 120pp

Awards: Rudolf Koivu Illustration Award nominee

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Myllylahti
(orig. publisher)

CHINA, CITIC Press
ESTONIA, Tammerraamat
RUSSIA, KompasGuide

 

WHAT IS WATER
Vesi. Kirja maailman tärkeimmästä aineesta, Myllylahti, 156pp

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Myllylahti
(orig. publisher)

ESTONIA, Tammerraamat
RUSSIA, KompasGuide

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

About author


Satu Kontinen

Satu Kontinen 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.

Read more

Weird Weather sold to Hungary!

Posted on

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 published in early October and has now already been sold to 6 territories.  The latest country to acquire the rights is Hungary, where Ciceró Könyvstúdió will publish the book in 2020.

This is what their rights director Zoltan Komlo had to say about the book:

We’re extremely proud to be the Hungarian publisher of Weird Weather. Minutes after opening the manuscript a few weeks ago, we knew this is a one of a kind book: not only because it deals with a crucially important topic but also because of how it deals with it. We think the illustrations and the whole layout is captivating, and the fact that the book is informative and entertaining at the same time is astonishing. We congratulate the authors and are looking forward to publishing Weird Weather next year

– Zoltan Komlo, Rights Director, Ciceró Könyvstúdió, Hungary

Request the almost full English pdf for this important title here and join the proud family of Weird Weather publishers!

 

 

Rights sold (Weird Weather):

FINLAND:
Into Kustannus (orig.)
ESTONIA:
Eesti Raamat
HUNGARY:
Ciceró Könyvstúdió
ITALY:
Mondadori/Edizioni Piemme
NORWAY:
Aschehoug
SERBIA:
Odiseja
SWEDEN:
Rabén & Sjögren

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

Frankfurt Children’s Deals: Weird Weather, Agnes, Little Shop of Nightmares

Posted on

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

About author


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 in 2021 was nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Award, received an honorable mention for the Runeberg Junior Award, and won the Luku Varkaus Award!


Read more Author's page

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


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 30 territories around the world. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finlandia Prize for children's and YA literature and the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated  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.

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About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

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About author


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.

Read more Author's page

About author


Tuutikki Tolonen

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

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

Tuutikki was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026.

Photo credit: Otto Virtanen

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Mondadori buys Italian rights to WEIRD WEATHER!

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The world-wide interest about climate change is at an all-time high! Politicians fight over what steps could be taken, climate strikes take place and Greta Thunberg stunned everyone with her performance in the UN.

After all of this, there are millions of children at homes asking – what is climate change and what to do to stop it?

To help, we now have a great children’s non-fiction book by Laura Ertimo and Mari Ahokoivu called WEIRD WEATHER! that could help children (and adults) understand the changing climate and the concrete steps to fight it.

WEIRD WEATHER! has been sold to Mondadori/Edizioni Piemme in Italy, and was published this week in Finland by Into Kustannus, and sold previously in Estonia to Eesti Raamat, in Sweden to Rabén & Sjögren.

Alessandro Gelso at Mondadori is excited:

We are so thrilled to have acquired the Italian rights for Weird Weather! Telling the children about what is happening to our planet and the way we could still make it right is a moral duty for us, the generation who has messed it up. Laura Ertimo and Mari Ahokoivu make it funny and entertaining, which is the best key to get the children engaged to such a relevant topic. – Alessandro Gelso, Publisher, Edizioni Il Battello a Vapore – Piemme/Mondadori Children’s Books

 

Edizioni Piemme is the leader publisher of children’s books in Italy, and part of Mondadori Children’s Books. The children’s list include both Italian and foreign authors, among others Louis Sachar, Chistine Nöstlinger, Liz Kessler and bestsellers series as The Magic Tree House, Captain Underpants and Wings of Fire.

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.

About the Author & Illustrator:
Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author of several non-fiction titles who specializes in the interaction between phenomena, people and nature
Mari Ahokoivu is an illustrator and a comics artist. She’s been drawing professionally for over 10 years, mainly graphic novels and comics for children. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Rights sold:

FINLAND:
Into Kustannus (orig.)
ESTONIA:
Eesti Raamat
ITALY:
Mondadori/Edizioni Piemme
SWEDEN:
Rabén & Sjögren

 

Reading materials:

English sample,full English text, Finnish pdf

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

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WEIRD WEATHER sold to Rabén & Sjögren in Sweden: The year 2020 Lotta and Kasper write an email to the world!

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We are so happy to announce that WEIRD WEATHER!, the most important children’s book of the season, will be published in Sweden by Rabén & Sjögren.

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! In year 2020 Lotta and Kasper write an email to the world:

Subject: How do you explain climate change?

Hi!
How’s it going? A long, hot summer is coming to an end here, and school has already started. But is there any point going to school if it and everything else might be drowned in a flood in less than a hundred years? Maybe—it depends on what schools teach!

We were thinking that first we need to imagine a better future and then make it happen. We know that you’re already seeing climate change where you are, and there’s a lot of trouble coming during our lifetimes if we don’t act now.

But what do you hope for? What will your home be like in 2050 if we do everything we can to prevent climate change? Then we’ll be our parents’ age, so super old! 😀

Sincerely,
Lotta and Kasper from Finland

We are thrilled to announce more wonderful pre-Gothenburg children’s deals:

MONSTER TOURNAMENT by Pasi Pitkänen
Russian publisher Aurora/D&A acquired rights to Pasi Pitkänen’s advnturous picture book “Monster Tournament”.

LITTLE SHOP OF NIGHTMARES series by Magdalena Hai and Teemu Juhani
Hungarian rights to this hilarious horror for early readers were sold to Cerkabella.

“We fell in love with this enchanting series at first reading. It is very modern, funny, and a little bit spooky. The artwork is dynamic. We really hope that Hungarian kids will love it!”
– Agnes Nyulas, head of Cerkabella publishing, Hungary

LITTLE MOUSE series by Riikka Jäntti
Riikka Jäntti’s Little Mouse has charmed readers already in 11 territories, and now also in France, as Carbourakis acquires the French rights!

Rights sold (Weird Weather):

FINLAND: Into Kustannus (orig.)
ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat
SWEDEN: Rabén & Sjögren

 

Rights sold (Monster Tournament):

FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
RUSSIA: Aurora/D&A
WORLD ARABIC: Ink Publishing

 

Rights sold (The Little Shop of Nightmares):

FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
CZECH REPUBLIC: Euromedia
DENMARK: Vild Maskine
ESTONIA: Postimees Publishing
GERMANY: Egmont Schneiderbuch
HUNGARY: Cerkabella
NETHERLANDS: De Vier Windstreken
NORWAY: Fontini
RUSSIA: Teenbooks Publishing / Kompas Guide
SWEDEN: Hegas
TURKEY: Epsilon

 

Rights sold ( Little Mouse):

FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
AUSTRALIA: Scribble/Scribe
CHINA: Beijing Yuntu Tech
DENMARK: ABC Forlag
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
FRANCE; Carbourakis
NEPAL: Kathalaya
NEW ZEALAND: Scribble/Scribe
PORTUGAL: Harper Collins Iberica
SPAIN (Spanish): Harper Collins Iberica
SPAIN (Catalan): Harper Collins Iberica
UK: Scribble/Scribe

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


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 30 territories around the world. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finlandia Prize for children's and YA literature and the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated  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.

Read more Author's page

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

About author


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.

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About author


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 over 20 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.

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About author


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.

Read more Author's page

NEW CHILDREN’S DEALS

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We are excited to share three new sales for our children’s books!
AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS by Tuutikki Tolonen, illustrated by Kati Vuorento, has sold to Eesti Raamat in Estonia.
The book is a mystic middle-grade novel where magic is mixed with everyday events. It is written by bestselling Monster Nanny author Tuutikki Tolonen and will be published both in Estonia and Finland in 2020.“Through this fascinating story you’ll learn how important is friendship and knowing who you really are.”
Aili Saks, publisher Eesti Raamat, Estonia

Request the English Sample here!
WEIRD WEATHER! WHY DOES CLIMATE CHANGE? by Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, has also sold to Eesti Raamat in Estonia. 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 will be published in Estonia in 2020.“We all can do something to guarantee the bright future of our home planet. “Weird Weather” explains the important topic of climate change to children in the most suitable way.”
Aili Saks, publisher Eesti Raamat, Estonia

Request the English Sample here!

 

THE FOX WHO PAINTED THE SKY  has sold to KAVKA in the Czech Republic. It is a story about a little fox who wants to find the most beautiful color in the world and paint the sky with it and therefore explaining how the Northern Lights came to be!
It was written by Mila Teräs and illustrated by Karoliina Pertamo and will be published in the Czech Republic in 2020.“Among all the beautiful Finnish books for children, the book Kettu ja värit has caught our attention specifically. We mostly like that it deals with the northern lights, a phenomenon unknown to children in central Europe. The visual part of the book is very artsy, the idea of cut-outs, collage technique, and writing as a part of the pictures give way to imagination. The way the Finnish language in the image of the fox remains in the Czech edition is a special treat to fancy readers.”
Magdalena Wells, K-A-V-K-A  knižní a výtvarná kultura, Czech Republic

Request the English Sample here!

AGNES AND THE GARDEN OF DREAMS

Rights sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig) Publication date: January 2020
ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat

Reading material:
Finnish edition
English sample

WEIRD WEATHER: WHY DOES CLIMATE CHANGE?

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Into Kustannus (orig) Publication date: October 2019
ESTONIA: Eesti Raamat

Reading material:
Finnish edition
English sample

THE FOX WHO PAINTED THE SKY

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Karisto (orig),
GERMANY: Knesebeck Verlag
CZECH REPUBLIC: K-A-V-K-A

Reading material:
Finnish edition
Full English text

About author


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.

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About author


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 in 2021 was nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Award, received an honorable mention for the Runeberg Junior Award, and won the Luku Varkaus Award!


Read more Author's page

About author


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. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

Read more

About author


Mari Ahokoivu

Mari Ahokoivu 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. 

Mari Ahokoivu won the Puupäähattu Comic Book Award 2023, and together with Laura Ertimo, they won the Tieto-Lauri Award 2022 and were nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2021 for WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO?!

Read more

About author


Mila Teräs

Mila Teräs has been awarded the prestigious Kaarina Helakisa Prize for her works for children's and YA literature, and her works have been nominated for e.g. the Finlandia and Topelius Prizes. She writes for children, young adults and adults, and often incorporates fantasy and historical elements into her realistic work.

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About author


Tuutikki Tolonen

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

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

Tuutikki was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026.

Photo credit: Otto Virtanen

Read more