Loukko by 
We are delighted to report that several authors and illustrators represented by our Agency are nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2013. The laureate or laureates will be announced on 25 March 2014 at Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
Kristiina Louhi is an artist and an awarded freelance graphic designer, illustrator and author. She has illustrated dozens of children’s books over the years including illustrations for the texts by Hannele Huovi, Riitta Jalonen and Hannu Mäkelä. Kristiina’s Aino series has been published since 1984 and Tomppa series since 1993. Books illustrated by Kristiina Louhi have been published in well over ten languages all around the world.
Sinikka Nopola is a prize-winning author of several successful children’s and adults books, novellas, plays and novels. Together with her sister Tiina Nopola she has written over 30 children’s books. The sisters’ bestselling book series feature some of the best-loved characters in Finnish children’s literature: Ricky Rapper, Hayflower and Quiltshoe, and Eric. Rights of Ricky Rapper have been sold to 16 territories to date.
Tiina Nopola has university degrees in special education and music education. She has been an awarded full-time author since 1994 and written over 30 children’s books together with her sister Sinikka Nopola. The internationally well-known Siri books are also written by Tiina Nopola. Rights have been sold to 12 languages to date.
Christel Rönns is an acclaimed illustrator and graphic designer whose innovative and humorous artwork has earned her several prizes and nominations. Christel Rönns’ wonderful illustrations are a part of Ricky Rapper’s world from 2012 on.
Salla Savolainen is an awarded and versatile illustrator who has been working on tens of children’s picture books, including the new Hayflower and Quiltshoe illustrations. She has a Master of Arts degree from the Helsinki University of Art and Design.
Maria Turtschaninoff has been writing fairy tales since the age of five. She counts Philip Pullman, JRR Tolkien, Ursula K. Le Guin and CS Lewis among her favourite authors. Maria has a Master of Arts in human ecology and works full-time as a writer. She has been praised and awarded for her lyrical writing in her mother tongue Swedish. Maria’s recent works include YA fantasy novels Arra (2009), Underfors (2010) and Anaché (2012). Her fourth novel, Maresi, is due to be published in Fall 2014.
The Agency wishes to congratulate the nominees!