Author(s)
Timo Parvela
Illustrator(s)
Mervi Lindman
Publication date
2017
Publisher
Tammi
Format info
101 pages

Ella & Friends — Horseplay

Ella ja kaverit hevosen selässä

Will Tuukka get her own rider’s statue?

Ella’s teacher has had a demotion. He’s no longer the principal; instead he’s just a teacher.

“Great, now our teacher will always be in the classroom and not just behind the desk in his office,” said Tiina.
“We can hug our teacher whenever we want,” I joined in.
“I can wipe the teacher’s chalkboard whenever I like” mumbled Pukari.
“The teacher can tie up my shoelaces and do up my coat whenever I want,” said a delighted Samppa.

A new principle, who looks remarkably like Sana Claus, is introduced to the children. The class are all delighted, except for Pete who is worried about his Christmas presents. And then there’s Tuukka, who seems to be hiding in the rubbish bin. What’s really going on with Tuukka, and could horses have something to do with it?

Timo Parvela (b.1964) is the number one children’s author in Finland and Ella & Friends is his longest standing series. He is a true master of capturing how children think in familiar situations and he always does it with a sense of humour and a touch of magic.

Series

Ella & Friends Role Reversal, 2022
Ella & Friends on a Poop Trail, 2021
Ella & Friends Remote Schooling, 2021
Ella & Friends Finally in 3rd Grade, 2020

Ella & Friends Ahoy There!, 2020
Ella & Friends Save the Earth, 2019

Ella & Friends as Kings, 2019
Ella & Friends in Concert, 2018
Ella & Friends as Master Chefs, 2018
Ella & Friends on their Way to Scout Jamboree, 2017
Ella & Friends – Horseplay, 2017
Ella & Friends in a Pickle, 2015
Ella & Friends in His Majesty’s Secret Service, 2016
Ella & Friends Build a Magic Machine, 2016
Ella & Friends Babysit, 2015
Ella & Friends Skip School, 2014
Ella & Friends in the Woods, 2013
Ella & the Lost Pointer, 2012
Ella & the Great Deeds of Sampo, 2011
Ella & Friends Have a Party, 2010
Ella & the Night Knight,
2010
Ella Hits the Jackpot, 2009
Ella & F1, 2008
Ella & the Seven Sillies, 2007
Ella – Watch Out for the Children!, 2006
Ella at Sea, 2005
Ella & the Superstar, 2004
Ella in Lapland, 2003
Ella at Night School, 2001
Ella & the New Boy in Class, 2000
Ella & Pete, 1999
Ella & the Holiday Camp, 1998
Ella on a School Trip, 1998
Ella in the Theatre, 1996
Ella & the Blackmailer, 1995

Format

101pp
B&W illustrations
Ages: 6-9

Material

Finnish PDF
Series synopsis

Rights sold

The Ella books have been published in Arabic/ME, Belarusian, Czech, Danish, Estonian, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Russian, Slovenian, Spanish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Sámi and Persian.

Reviews

“Parvela is in in his element. Gorgeous blundering that keeps you entertained.” Anita Ruckerbauer, BN-News, Germany

“The Ella books are one of very few book about school that you even want to read during the holidays!” Die Zeit, Germany

“Guaranteed nonsense and deliusions with Ella and her friends!” — Stéphane Larue, France

“Clever, genuinely funny… with a perfect dose of emotion.” Savon Sanomat newspaper