Satu Kontinen

Estonian rights sold for ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH!

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

Avita is the largest educational publisher in Estonia.

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

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

ABOUT THE ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH:

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

The maps in the book include:

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

Rights sold:

FINLAND (orig.):
Kustantamo S&S

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

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


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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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?!

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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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Polish rights sold for ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH!

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Today we are extremely happy to announce that Laura Ertimo and Satu Kontinen’s ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH now has a Polish publisher.
The happy publishing house is Eurograf. Previously the rights for this wonderful children’s atlas have also been sold to AST in Russia.We are happy to be the future publisher of this beautiful book. Those maps of the enchanted planet Earth will help children learn a lot more about our planet and will fascinate the adults, too. We feel that such wonderful books may become even more important in this time of uncertainty to show us that life on the planet Earth still goes on and on.

– Anastasia Filippova, AST Publishing Group, Russia

Ask the Full Finnish pdf and English sample by clicking here

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 THE BOOK:

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.
Stories of Travel and Travelling Stories
a map from ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: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.

Satu Kontinen is a graphic designer and illustrator obsessed with little animals and Instagram photography. She is known for using bold colours and creating quirky creatures and worlds of cuteness that spark the imagination of kids and adults. In 2008 she was given an award for designing and illustrating one of the most beautiful book covers in Finland (Vuoden kaunein kirja) by the Finnish Book Art Committee, and in 2004 she was nominated for the Finlandia Junior Prize.

Rights sold:

FINLAND (orig.):
Kustantamo S&S

POLAND: Eurograf
RUSSIA: AST

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


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

Russian rights sold for ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH

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Today we are very happy to announce that Laura Ertimo and Satu Kontinen’s ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH now has a Russian publisher.
The publishing house is AST – one of the biggest publishers in Russia.

Here is what they said about the title:

“We are happy to be the future publisher of this beautiful book. Those maps of the enchanted planet Earth will help children learn a lot more about our planet and will fascinate the adults, too. We feel that such wonderful books may become even more important in this time of uncertainty to show us that life on the planet Earth still goes on and on.”

– Anastasia Filippova, AST Publishing Group, Russia

About the book:

ENCHANTED PLANET EARTH
by Laura Ertimo, illustrated by Satu Kontinen

There is a planet where plants plan world domination. Where beasts are good, and trees live for thousands of years, collecting memories in their bark. This enchanted place is Earth.

This book has 10 stories and 10 maps. They may sound or look like they are out of a fairy-tale, but they are real, true maps of our planet. The Enchanted Planet Earth is a children’s non-fiction book that also engages adults. Through magical maps, it teaches about nature, oceans and the history of continents. The stories also provide a context where adults and kids can discuss environmental issues and how people’s actions affect nature. Through narratives, the book explains the real processes that change our planet and make the Earth habitable.

Rights sold:

FINLAND (orig.): Kustantamo S&S
RUSSIA: AST

 

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


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

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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Watch Elina Hirvonen talk about Julia & P.A.L// Introducing – Enchanted Planet Earth

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Introducing: Julia & P.A.L. by Elina Hirvonen

Toy Story meets The Avengers! The first part of the new exciting middle-grade series where plush animals have super powers.

More than anything else, Julia, 10 years, wishes that somebody would like her. She can explain the structure of the universe, but has no idea how to talk to her classmates. What she doesn’t know is that she already has her very own best friend – her toy bunny Buck, who in reality is a top secret agent of the Plush Animal League (P.A.L.).

See the author reading from the book by clicking on the video below.

Ask for the English sample for Julia & P.A.L here.

 

Introducing: Enchanted Planet Earth by Laura Ertimo

There is a planet where plants plan world domination. Where beasts are good, and trees live for thousands of years, collecting memories in their bark. This enchanted place is Earth.

This book has 10 stories, and 10 maps. They may sound or look like they are out of a fairy-tale, but they are real, true maps of our planet. The Enchanted Planet Earth is a children’s non-fiction book that also engages adults. Through magical maps it teaches about nature, oceans and the history of continents. The stories also provide a context where adults and kids can discuss the environmental issues and how people’s actions affect nature. Through narratives the book explains the real processes that change our planet and make the Earth habitable.

Ask for the English sample and full Finnish pdf for Enchanted Planet Earth here.

Map of migratory birds and animals.

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.

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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


Nadja Sarell

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

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

Read more Author's page

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

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

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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

Recent children’s book deals & reviews: monsters, virtual realities and nonfiction

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Following Bologna Book Fair, year’s main event of children’s books’ rights, we’re very glad to announce new deals for our fantastic children’s books.

In Russia, the Monster Nanny series by Tuutikki Tolonen and Pasi Pitkänen has been sold to Rosman at auction. Rosman is one of the biggest Russian publishers, whose list includes for example J.K. Rowling, Philip Pullman, and many more. Monster Nanny, “the monstrous Mary Poppins”, is a universally charming award-winning story, which is to be developed into a Hollywood feature film by Scott Free Productions and published in 22 languages.

Request reading materials for Monster Nanny here!

Another Russian deal was struck for What Is the Night and What Is Water, the bedtime books of fictional and factual stories for information-hungry kids and adults. KompasGuide, the Moscow-based publishing house founded in 2008, whose authors include names such as Michael Ende and Christine Nöstlinger, acquired the rights to both of the children’s nonfiction books.

“We do hope our Russian audience will enjoy and adore the aesthetics of these books and like the illustrations of the magnificent Finnish artists. We are really proud to start our collaboration with these titles,” said Igor Grizhuk, Foreign Rights Manager of KompasGuide Publishing House.

Request reading materials for What Is the Night & What Is Water here!

Another hot title in Bologna from our YA list was Beta, the first book in the Sensored Reality trilogy by Aki Parhamaa and Anders Vacklin. See here for a trailer video for the book (with over 22,000 views!):

The novel has also received praising reviews from literature bloggers:

“Quite an excellent start for a trilogy! A compelling story, a good plot, an imaginative and credible milieu, well-described places and events and well-written characters carry the story smoothly and naturally.” – Teatterinna blog

“The book stands out in the Finnish dystopia book scene, I’m eagerly looking forward to the next part in the series.” –Literature Is Pink blog

Request reading materials for Beta here!

At the Bologna Book Fair, Elina Ahlbäck was also interviewed for the magazine Publishers Weekly Bologna Show Daily, and the piece was published under the title “Can Finnish Children’s Literature Become a Worldwide Phenomenon?”: click the link to read the article on pages 24-26. (The answer, by the way, is yes!)

Rights sold: Monster Nanny
Original publisher: FINLAND, Tammi
BOSNIA, Šahinpašić
BRAZIL, DarkSide Books
CHINA, Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CZECH REPUBLIC, Portál
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon
ITALY, Salani/Mauri Spagnol
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff
NORWAY, Gyldendal Norsk
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
RUSSIA, Rosman
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY, SEV Redhouse Kidz
VIETNAM, Nha Nam
WORLD ENGLISH, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS, Scott Free Productions

Right sold: Night 
Orig. publisher: FINLAND, Myllylahti
CHINA, CITIC Press
RUSSIA, KompasGuide

Rights sold: Water
Orig. publisher: FINLAND, Myllylahti
RUSSIA, KompasGuide

Rights sold: Beta
Orig. publisher: FINLAND, Tammi

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


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


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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Happy New Year: January’s non-fiction news

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Finding Sisu UK cover

Happy New Year! We are back from the holidays, ready for 2018, and glad to share news about our latest deals, this time on the non-fiction front.

As Katja Pantzar puts the finishing touches to her part-memoir, part-guidance Finding Sisu, due to be published in original English in March 2018, new deals have been struck for the book. Jaffa Kiadó and Hojosha acquired the Hungarian and Japanese language rights respectively, which ring in the 13th and 14th deals for the book.

“A book filled with the tips to live an open-minded and joyful life. What’s more, they are all easy and amazingly economical! I’d like to recommend this book to Japanese people who are used to spending money on interior activities, so that they’ll remember the vastness of the sky and how comfortable it is to be outside. Perhaps the onsen (hot spring) -loving Japanese folks might even feel like to jump into cold water after reading this book!?” said Japanese Hojosha on acquisition.

Also, a new book answering to the growing demand for children’s non-fiction, What Is the Night?, written by Laura Ertimo and illustrated by Satu Kontinen, has been sold to the prestigious CITIC Press in China. Over four, beautifully illustrated chapters What is the Night? spins a captivating tale of true facts interspersed with myths and legends: a bedtime book for knowledge-hungry kids and a literary tonic for insomniacs or those afraid of the dark.

Additionally, new foreign editions of our non-fiction titles have been published around the world. The Tove Jansson biography Work and Love by Tuula Karjalainen has been published in Russian, The Sauna Cookbook by Katariina Vuori, Janne Pekkala and Vesa Ranta in Hungarian, and The Charm of Ice – a book on figure skating by Leena Lehtolainen, Kaisa Viitanen and Elina Paasonen – in Japanese.

Let us know if you’d like to receive English language materials for any of these titles by clicking here.

FINDING SISU rights sold:
CHINA, Yeeyan Publishing
CZECH REP., Mladá Fronta
FINLAND, Siltala
FRANCE, Belfond
GERMANY, Bastei Lübbe
HUNGARY, Jaffa Kiado
ITALY, Marsilio/Sonzogno
JAPAN, Hojosha
NETHERLANDS, Kosmos
POLAND, WUJ
RUSSIA, AST
SPAIN, Roca Editorial (WS)
UK, Hodder/Hachette (WE) (orig. publisher)
US, Tarcher Perigee/Penguin Random House

WHAT IS THE NIGHT? rights sold:
CHINA, CITIC Press
FINLAND, Myllylahti (orig. publisher)

TOVE JANSSON: WORK AND LOVE rights sold:
CHINA, Shanghai Cai Qin Ren Culture Diffusion
ESTONIA, Varrak
FINLAND, Schildts & Söderströms (Swedish)
FINLAND, Tammi (orig. publisher)
GERMANY, Urachhaus
JAPAN, Kawade Shobo Shinsha
NORWAY, Heinesen
RUSSIA, AST
SWEDEN, Norstedts
WORLD ENGLISH, Penguin

THE SAUNA COOKBOOK rights sold:
ESTONIA, Pegasus
FINLAND, Tammi (orig. publisher)
GERMANY, btb Luchterhand
HUNGARY, Corvina Kiadó

THE CHARM OF ICE rights sold:
FINLAND, Tammi (orig. publisher)
JAPAN, Sunmark

About author


Katja Pantzar

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

Read more Author's page

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


Leena Lehtolainen

Leena Lehtolainen is the top female crime author in Finland: her new titles always head straight to #1 on the Finnish bestseller lists.

Lehtolainen created her successful protagonist, detective Maria Kallio, in 1993. Having already featured in 16 novels and a complete TV series, a new Maria Kallio TV reboot series was launched in Fall 2021 on C More. Lehtolainen’s novels have been translated into 30 languages and have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.

And just like the events in Bodyguard, a that takes the heroine Hilja Ilveskero all around Europe, Lehtolainen’s own work takes her to book festivals, exhibitions and other events across the globe.

Leena Lehtolainen has also published outside the crime genre; her book The Charm of Figure Skating was voted sports book of the year 2010 in Finland, and A Life in Six Scenes showed her return to literary fiction.

The Crossing of the Green Dragon is her first title for YA audiences.

In her free time, Lehtolainen enjoys all kinds of music and follows lynx trails in the forests – just like Maria Kallio.

Photo credit: Ville Juurikkala

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

About author


Tuula Karjalainen

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

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Dutch rights of Mo-ko-ma-ki by Satu Kontinen sold!

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1-4mokomakinewsSatu Kontinen’s quirky and visual Mo-ko-ma-kibooks have been sold in the Netherlands to NBD Biblion! The Mo-ko-ma-ki series, aimed at readers aged two and older, stars ten little animals who tend to find themselves in mild trouble. Readers are invited, for example, to reunite baby animals with their mothers or spot the culprit who stole a bird’s tail feather. Packed with fun visual clues and details, the series celebrates discovery and imagination.

“We are thrilled to introduce Mo-ko-ma-ki to the Dutch and Flemish readers and are sure they will love this series. We believe it’s a perfect combination of fun and education!” – Anne-Marie van der Poel, Editor-in-Chief, NBD Biblion, the Netherlands

MO-KO-MA-KI SERIES: 
Book 1: Mo-ko-ma-ki!
Mo-ko-ma-ki lost their little ones. Where could they be?
Book 2: Mo-ko-ma-ki! Paint It!
A puzzle and doodle book in the inimitable Mokomaki style.
Book 3: Mo-ko-ma-ki! Who Was It?
Can you figure out which one of the Mokomakis has played a trick on the others?
Book 4: Mo-ko-ma-ki! What A Feeling!
Can you tell what feelings are the Mokomakis experiencing?
Book 5 & Book 6 coming up soon!

RIGHTS SOLD:
Original publisher: FINLAND, Myllylahti
CHINA, Bei Jing Northark Culture Media
FRANCE, Sarbacane (Book 1)
NETHERLANDS, NBD Biblion
TAIWAN, Grimm Press (Book 1)

READING MATERIALS:
Full English texts of books 1-4
Finnish editions of books 1-4

Contact the agency for reading materials:info@ahlbackagency.com

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

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Satu Kontinen’s Mo-ko-ma-ki series and Kristiina Louhi’s Annie series sold in China!

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Aino_Mokomaki_KiinaWe are happy to announce that two Finnish picture book series, Satu Kontinen’s quirky Mo-ko-ma-ki books (Myllylahti) and Kristiina Louhi’s classic Annie (Aino) titles (Tammi), will soon be available for Chinese readers. Bei Jing Northark Culture Media acquired all three Mo-ko-ma-ki titles, while Beijing Double Spiral Culture and Exchange Company acquired ten Annie books!

Kristiina Louhi, whose Annie series debuted in 1984, is one of Finland’s most acclaimed illustrators. Among her numerous honours and accolades are the Finlandia Junior Prize for The Girl and the Jackdaw Tree (Tammi 2004) and 2014’s Pro Finlandia Medal, given by the President of Finland to distinguished Finnish artists. Her work has been published in several languages. The Annie series narrates the life of a spunky little girl who grows up alongside the reader.

Satu Kontinen’s Mo-ko-ma-ki series, aimed at readers aged two and older, stars ten little animals who tend to find themselves in mild trouble. Readers are invited, for example, to reunite baby animals with their mothers or spot the culprit who stole a bird’s tail feather. Packed with fun visual clues and details, the series celebrates discovery and imagination. World English rights to Mo-ko-ma-ki were also recently sold to POW!, an imprint of Brooklyn-based powerHouse Books.

Satu Kontinen is known for her distinctive visual style, and she has most recently designed a watch for Swatch!

RIGHTS SOLD: THE MO-KO-MA-KI SERIES
Original publisher: FINLAND, Myllylahti
CHINA, Bei Jing Northark Culture Media
FRANCE, Sarbacanne (Book I)
TAIWAN, Grimm Press
WORLD ENGLISH, POW!/powerHouse Books

Reading material: The Mo-ko-ma-ki series
Full English text of Books 2-3
Full Finnish text of Books 1-3

RIGHTS SOLD: THE ANNIE SERIES
Original publisher: FINLAND, Tammi
CHINA, Beijing Double Spiral Culture and Exchange Company

Annie books have also been published in: English (UK), German, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic, Faroese

Reading material: Kristiina Louhi
Full English text of Annie, Mummy’s Helper
Full English text of The Girl and the Jackdaw Tree

For materials and rights information contact:

Elina Ahlbäck, Literary Agent and CEO: elina.ahlback(at)ahlbackagency.com
Laura Palotie, Agent: laura.palotie(at)ahlbackagency.com
Lotta Dufva, Junior Agent: lotta.dufva(at)ahlbackagency.com

 

About author


Kristiina Louhi

Kristiina Louhi is an artist and an awarded graphic designer, illustrator and author. She has illustrated dozens of children’s books over the years including illustrations for the texts by Hannele Huovi, Hannu Mäkelä, Leena Laulajainen, Katri Tapola and Riitta Jalonen.

Kristiina Louhi’s Aino series has been published since 1984 and Tomppa series since 1993. Books illustrated by Kristiina Louhi have been published in over ten languages all around the world.

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

World English rights to Satu Kontinen’s Mo-ko-ma-ki sold to POW!, an imprint of powerHouse Books

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Kontinen_newsletter_Nov192014We are thrilled to announce that POW!, a Brooklyn-based children’s publisher, has acquired rights to Can You Find My Little Fox? in Satu Kontinen’s Mo-ko-ma-ki! picture book series. POW! is an imprint of powerHouse Books, which publishes visually driven, imagination-fueled books for kids. See here for more information.

Mo-ko-ma-ki: Can You Find My Little Fox? (Myllylahti 2014) features ten little animals, Mokomakis, who have become separated from their mothers, and it’s the job of the reader to help locate them. Little birds provide assistance and humorous commentary. Packed with fun visual clues and details, the series, aimed for kids aged 2 and older, celebrates discovery and imagination.

The newest book in the series, Mo-ko-ma-ki: Who Was It? (Myllylahti 2014), published this fall in Finland, invites readers to continue their detective training with the Mokomakis: they can spot, for example, the culprit who stole a bird’s tail feather or took a bite out of a Karelian pie.

About the author:

Satu Kontinen (b. 1976) is a graphic designer and illustrator obsessed with little animals and Instagram photography. She is known for using bold colours and creating quirky creatures and worlds of cuteness that spark the imagination of kids and adults. In 2008 she was given an award for designing and illustrating one of the most beautiful book covers in Finland (Vuoden kaunein kirja) by the Finnish Book Art Committee, and in 2004 she was nominated for the Finlandia Junior Prize. Since starting “her own thing,” the Mokomakis, in 2011, she has quickly gained international recognition across Europe and Asia and is currently working on a number of international illustration commissions.

RIGHTS SOLD:
Original publisher: FINLAND, Myllylahti
FRANCE, Sarbacanne
TAIWAN, Grimm Press
WORLD ENGLISH, POW!

Reading material:
Full English text of Books 1-2
Full Finnish text of Books 1-3

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

 

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

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