Representing the best
Finnish authors abroad
Finnish authors abroad
A vibrant picture book journey into the forest and under the breathtaking starry sky!
Venni’s friend spent the summer holiday travelling abroad, while Venni has only been to the local beach and eaten ice cream. However, Dad comes up with an idea. Soon, they have a booking at a million-star hotel! And they’ll leave as soon as the weekend comes around!
Anna Elina Isoaro and Mira Mallius’s picture book takes its readers on a captivating journey into the heart of the forest. Woven into the story are timely themes, from social inequality among families to the importance of protecting nature. Mallius’s inventive collage technique preserves fragments of a real forest on the pages of the book. The book also includes a special gatefold-spread of the vast starry sky.
This hope-filled story highlights the wealth that is all around for us to enjoy, and how less can be enough.
English translation
Finnish edition
Estonian: Herta Kirjastus
‘Isoaro also relies on the power of minimalism in her concise storytelling. Rather than overwhelming readers with endless plot twists, the story unfolds through both text and illustrations. Cleverly integrated photographic elements hidden among the illustrations add an interactive layer, and spotting them among the drawings was great fun for my six-year-old test reader. […] The dark tone that runs throughout the book adds to its sense of suspense. The highlight of the reading experience is a breathtaking fold-out panoramic spread revealing the nocturnal landscape in all its detail.’ —Suvi Jylhänlehto, Maaseudun tulevaisuus newspaper
“There is something truly special about this book. It is funny, warm, visually stunning and full of emotion all at once. It is the kind of book that immediately captures a child’s interest while also speaking to the adult reader. We particularly love the way the book reminds us that the very best adventures do not necessarily require a great deal of money, planning or faraway destinations. All that is needed is time together, a touch of imagination, and someone with whom to share the adventure.
We feel that the book’s message is especially well suited to Estonia. Estonians love nature, camping, forests and spending time outdoors. At the same time, we want to strengthen the role of fathers in our society and remind people how important it is for a child to have a father who is present and spends time doing things together with them.” —Epp Reinmets, Publisher, Herta Kirjastus, Estonia