STELLA, STIVEN and THE VOLE AND THE MOON sold to the US!

We are thrilled to announce that three of our beloved and enchanting picturebooks STELLA, STIVEN and THE VOLE AND THE MOON will be published in the United States!

The U.S. rights for Stiven and Stella by Ted Forsström and Åsa Lucander, as well as The Vole and the Moon, written by Mila Teräs and illustrated by Nora Surojegin, have been acquired by Spinning Wheel Stories. The deals were closed by Martti Berner at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

This is what the publisher had to say about Stella and Stiven:

This witty and heartwarming bedtime story captures the overactive imagination of Stella, a dog who just can’t settle down during storytime. Ted Forsström brings Stella’s dramatic inner monologue to life with playful humor, while Åsa Lucander’s richly detailed illustrations amplify the energy and charm. Perfect for families who know that even the most well-planned bedtime routines can take a few detours, and for anyone valuing stories about imagination, connection, and a little bit of canine mischief. Spinning Wheel Stories is delighted to bring this joyful story to children and families in the U.S.

A deliciously dramatic tale of a perpetually hungry cat convinced he’s moments from starvation. Ted Forsström hilariously channels Stiven’s outrageous inner voice, while Åsa Lucander’s expressive illustrations heighten the humor and theatrical flair of a cat’s single-minded quest for food. Perfect for anyone who’s ever wondered what really goes on in their pet’s mind, or who’s been guilt-tripped to fill a bowl by a pleading stare. Spinning Wheel Stories is thrilled to bring this wonderfully entertaining story to U.S. readers of all ages.

And this is what Spinning Wheel Stories had to say about the Vole and the Moon:

A poetic, deeply calming tale about stillness, self-discovery, and the quiet magic of the natural world. Mila Teräs’s lyrical storytelling follows a small vole on a journey to find something she’s forgotten, only to discover meaning not through action, but through presence. Paired with Nora Surojegin’s dreamy, ethereal illustrations, this is a picture book that invites quiet reflection and reveals new layers with every read. A gentle reminder that wonder is not something to possess, but something to pause for. Spinning Wheel Stories is honored to share this luminous story with children and families in the U.S.

Spinning Wheel Stories is a women-owned independent publishing company dedicated to bringing the world heartfelt, beautifully illustrated children’s books that nurture early literacy, imagination, and positive emotional health. Their titles are distributed through Pathway Book Service and are available for purchase on our website, at live events, and through numerous retailers.

 

Request the materials for STELLA & STIVEN here

Stella

Ted Forsström, illustrated by Åsa Lucander

A father tries to put his child to bed, but keeps getting interrupted by Stella the dog barking hysterically. Something unexpected always happens, and the reader is treated to Stella’s lively imagination: it may be a door opening or a car driving by, but Stella is strongly convinced it’s Grandma coming to give her food, or that squirrels have built a nest in the toaster.

Anyone who has ever tried to put a child to bed knows how cozy yet fragile the situation is. It requires the right amount of patience and determination. The right bedtime story can be the key to a successful, quiet night. Stella is a book you can read again and again, night after night.

Stella is full of warmth, playful rhymes and an unusual mix of familiar ordinariness with fantastic antics. Very familiar for anyone trying to combine cozy moments with a pet!

Stiven

Ted Forsström, illustrated by Åsa Lucander

The food is gone! Stiven roars. This is urgent! Come out!

Have you ever thought how frustrating life can be for a cat? When something as simple as getting fed turns into a daily battle? For Stiven, the logic is simple: an empty bowl must be filled immediately. How can an entire family have such a hard time understanding this?

The glutton Stiven is a stubborn drama queen, holding the whole family hostage with one mission: more food immediately! He’s a big personality, alternately majestic and pathetic, and neither mom, dad, the child, nor the baby escapes his constant demands for food and attention. This leads to comedic moments in the everyday life of a young family with a pet, brilliantly captured in Åsa Lucander’s lively illustrations.

Ted Forsström’s text is atmospheric and down-to-earth, with his characteristic playful rhymes occasionally shining through. It’s highly relatable for families with young children and especially for anyone who owns a cat—or is owned by one.

Rights for STIVEN and STELLA are still available in France, Italy, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Taiwan…

Request the materials for THE VOLE AND THE MOON here!

The Vole and the Moon

Mila Teräs, illustrated by Nora Surojegin

A charmingly sweet picture book about the beauty of living in the moment. Mila Teräs’ enchanting prose is accompanied by Nora Surojegin’s gentle illustrations.

Millie the vole has a strange feeling. She is preparing for the upcoming winter well in advance. However, she feels like she has forgotten something. She is so busy planning and doing things that there is no time to go to watch the Moon and celebrate with other animals. When Millie decides to look up to the sky, she has to stop and stare.

The book tells of how important it is to stop: instead of the constant hurry and overachieving, it is important to pause and just exist without feeling guilty. At the same time, the book highlights what a wonder and secret life really is.

Rights for THE VOLE AND THE MOON are still available in Germany, Sweden, Poland, Spain, Bulgaria…

Publication info:
STELLA
Snälla Stella, sluta skälla!
Förlaget 2023, 44 pp.

STIVEN
Stivens fat är utan mat

Förlaget 2025, 44 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND, SWEDEN: Förlaget (orig. Finland-Swedish)
FINLAND: Etana Editions (Finnish) (Stella)
FINLAND: Teos (Finnish) (Stiven)
DENMARK: Gads Forlag
ESTONIA: Tammerraamat
GERMANY: Mixtvision (Stella)
GERMANY: dtv (Stiven)
HUNGARY: Cerkabella (Stiven and Stella)
NORTH MACEDONIA: Ars Lamina
POLAND: Widnokrag
SLOVAKIA: Arkus
TÜRKIYE: Doğan Kitap (Stiven and Stella)
UNITED STATES: Spinning Wheel Stories (Stiven and Stella)

Reading Materials:
Full English pdf & Swedish edition

 

Publication info:
THE VOLE AND THE MOON
Myyrä, joka katsoi kuuta
Karisto, 2023, 32 pp.

Reading Materials:
Full English PDF

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Karisto (orig.)
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu

About author


Åsa Lucander

Åsa Lucander is a director and designer, working in illustration and animation both in the UK as well as Scandinavia.

Originally from Finland, she moved to London in 2001 where she was introduced to animation while studying illustration. After graduating she joined the animation studio 12foot6 where she stayed until 2014.

In 2015 she joined Aardman Animations in Bristol, where she is now based.

With multi-faceted strengths in storytelling, design and animation she loves exploring various creative styles, be it in 2d, stop motion or CGI. Åsa has a passion for hand rendered drawings and explores many different textures and mediums in all areas of her work. She loves mixing humour with melancholy and thrills in bringing characters of every shape and form to life with compelling scripts and inventive visions. She nimbly blends music, authentic dialogue, film segments, hand drawn characters and dolls in innovative ways.

Åsa has directed multiple shorts, including her award-winning film Lost Property, as well as many heart-warming commercial films for clients including Blue Peter, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Project Every- one and Childline, and a VR documentary film for BBC. Most recently she directed the music video for Coldplay’s track Daddy that has won numerous awards.

The Finlandia-nominated Stella (2023) was the first picture book by Åsa Lucander, who, in addition to being a director and illustrator at Aardman Animations, has also animated music videos for artists such as Coldplay. She created the book together with Ted Forsström. In spring 2025 her and Ted's second collaboration, Stiven, was published.

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.

About author


Nora Surojegin

Nora Surojegin is an illustrator, children’s author and a graphic designer. She lives in Kirkkonummi, between the sea and the forest, where she creates worlds with images and words, gets inspired by the forest trolls and potters around in her secret garden. In her work she wants to mix the strange with the incredible and create art that makes you stop. Her books have been translated into ten languages.

About author


Ted Forsström

Ted Forsström is a Finnish-Swedish media personality, author, and comedian based in Ostrobothnia. He has worked as an actor, radio host, and screenwriter, and is widely known as one half of the popular duo Ted & Kaj. Together with Kaj Korkea-aho, he co-wrote the Finlandia Junior-nominated YA trilogy ZOO! and currently co-hosts Ted & Kaj, the most popular Swedish-language podcast in Finland.

Forsström also creates children’s content for Svenska Yle. In 2023, he published the Finlandia-nominated children’s book Stella together with illustrator Åsa Lucander. In spring 2025, the follow-up Stiven was published.

THE VOLE AND THE MOON by Mila Teräs and Nora Surojegin sold to Estonia!

We are thrilled to announce that the Estonian rights for THE VOLE AND THE MOON, a children’s picture book written by Mila Teräs and illustrated by Nora Surojegin, have been acquired by Hea Lugu! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Publishing house Hea Lugu is a subsidiary of Ekspress Grupp, a media group that publishes three primary newspapers in Estonia. As a book publisher, Hea Lugu have been in the market for over 25 years. Their authors include Stephen King, Anne Cathrine Bomann, Umberto Eco, Serhiy Zhadan, Liane Moriarty, Samantha Young, Tove Jansson, etc.

Estonian praise for THE VOLE AND THE MOON:

Very beautifully illustrated book celebrating life and nature. It is important to stop hurry of everyday life sometimes and look at the Moon.”
– Maire Kasemaa, editor/project manager, Hea Lugu, Estonia

THE VOLE AND THE MOON has also received high praise in Finland:

THE VOLE AND THE MOON is the sweetest story about the wonderfully beautiful moments, which we find only by stopping and letting ourselves to go with the story…
– Leena Lumi, book blogger

Mila Teräs has the skill to write lyrically, whether it is in a picture book, a children’s novel or a very realistic YA title. In the story of Milli the Vole and the full moon one can also see some of the wisdom of ancient fables. [–] Surojegin has the magical ability to create panoramic and meditative views that slow down one’s heartbeat.
– Päivi Heikkilä-Huutunen, researcher and critic of children’s and YA literature

Surojegin’s beautifully soft illustrations of the night-time forest paint a beautiful and enchanting atmosphere. The trees with their shadows and the grass stems invite one to take part in the adventure in the woods. The animals are friendly and soft fairytale creatures. The book helps the reader to realise the importance of pausing!
– Lukuriemua on instagram

Download the materials for THE VOLE AND THE MOON here!

The Vole and the Moon

Mila Teräs, illustrated by Nora Surojegin

A charmingly sweet picture book about the beauty of living in the moment. Mila Teräs’ enchanting prose is accompanied by Nora Surojegin’s gentle illustrations.

Millie the vole has a strange feeling. She is preparing for the upcoming winter well in advance. However, she feels like she has forgotten something. She is so busy planning and doing things that there is no time to go to watch the Moon and celebrate with other animals. When Millie decides to look up to the sky, she has to stop and stare.

The book tells of how important it is to stop: instead of the constant hurry and overachieving, it is important to pause and just exist without feeling guilty. At the same time, the book highlights what a wonder and secret life really is.

THE VOLE AND THE MOON
MYYRÄ JOKA KATSOI KUUTA
Karisto, 2023, 32 pp.

READING MATERIALS
Full English PDF

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Karisto (orig.)
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu

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.

About author


Nora Surojegin

Nora Surojegin is an illustrator, children’s author and a graphic designer. She lives in Kirkkonummi, between the sea and the forest, where she creates worlds with images and words, gets inspired by the forest trolls and potters around in her secret garden. In her work she wants to mix the strange with the incredible and create art that makes you stop. Her books have been translated into ten languages.