The Estonian Children’s Literature Center and Koja Agency, literary agency specializing in children’s and young adult books, based in Stockholm, Sweden, have supported our “Secret garden” workshops (13, 14 & 15th September 2019 – Helsinki Children’s Design Week).
These books have helped children to find inspiration to draw their own “Secret garden” illustrations on recycled garments and accessories.
You’ll find here all books’ presentation and short review which were presented on our ILLUSTRIOUS LAB Facebook page during the summer 2019.
About the Estonian Children’s Literature Center (Eesti Lastekirjanduse Keskus)
We’ve gladly visited the Estonian Children’s Literature Center in Tallinn in June 2019. It is open for the public. We recommend!
https://www.elk.ee/?lang=en
The Estonian Children’s Literature Centre is a vital institution for subject-based information in the field of children’s literature. It’s history dates back to 1933, although today’s Centre was established on the 1st December 1997 as the legal successor of the Estonian Children’s Library.
The Centre collects, preserves, and offers the opportunity to engage with childrens’s and youth literature for all enthusiasts as part of Estonia’s cultural heritage. Its mission is to support a variety of initiatives, including research, education and entertainment.
Through our lovely and creative building and the activities held here, we convey to visitors the story of children’s books from past to present, guide children towards reading and teach individuals to appreciate literature and books.
The mascot of our Centre is Nukitsamees, a beloved character from a children`s story of the same title by Oskar Luts, one of Estonia’s most beloved authors.
We are a literary agency specializing in children’s and young adult books, based in Stockholm, Sweden. We represent independent publishers, authors and illustrators. We handle licensing rights, co-productions, film and TV rights and much more.
Publishers we represent: Urax Förlag, Mirando Bok, Natur & Kultur, Alvina Förlag, Berghs Förlag, Hippo Förlag, La Pastèque (Canada), Etana Editions (Finland) and Tower Block Books (United Kingdom)
We represent the Portuguese publisher Planeta Tangerina and Italian Il Castoro in the Nordic Countries.
The agency is run by Catharina Lantz and Carin Bacho. Koja Agency is run as a subsidiary company to Natur & Kultur, a foundation without owners that can act independently and on a long term basis.
Estonian books
(click on the book cover to see the presentation)
“The Raincloud’s Greatest Wish” by Liis Sein; illustrated by Anne Linnamägi. Päike ja Pilv 2018. The book addresses changing weather which is a good introduction for children about the changing climate. We really liked the poetic representation of the clouds, sun and weather elements as well as the idea of the interaction between the small girl and the cloud.
“A Morning Concert in Bird Country” by Kaja Lotman; illustrated by Marju Tammik. Päike ja Pilv 2018. We like a lot the illustration technique used and the book was among the 2018 5 Best-Designed Estonian Children’s Books, special prize of the Jury to a newcomer for ingenious picture solutions!
“Our big tree” by Indrek Koff, illustrated by Louise Duneton. PäIKE JA PILV 2012. A very poetic book whose tree is like a silent member of the family. We loved the way the tree appears almost like a fabric pattern all along the book and the relation with the little boy!
“Rabbit makes soup” by Aino Pervik, illustrated by Kertu Sillaste. Päike ja Pilv 2013. This book is for the little ones and so inviting! We loved the book for the funny rabbit journey to make his soup, with surprising guests and ingredients! The illustrations using cut paper and collage are very dynamic and fun!
“Catherine and the peas” by Kadri Hinrikus, illustrated by Anne Pikkov. Tammerraamat 2017. This book is for bigger ones who can read easily! We’ve loved to follow Catherine in her adventures and the story around these peas planted! The book is also addressing Catherine’s own resources while her parents are not very present. The illustrations are very expressive!
“The Visit” by Anti Saar, illustrated by Anna Ring. Päike ja Pilv 2017. This book addresses with a lot of tenderness Robby’s memories about his grandmother. It is a very original and well thought book where the hero evolves through a labyrinth in an apple of the garden, following a mysterious worm! The labyrinth offers a very nice interactive game throughout the pages (no devices).
Swedish books
(click on the book cover to see the presentation)
For publishing rights contact: http://www.kojaagency.com, info(at)kojaagency.com
“Sleeping Little Rose” by Ane Gustavsson. Natur & kultur, 2017. The book has attracted a lot young children with its imaginary universe, mixing human figures and animals, very intriguing. We loved this transposition of fairy tales into the Nordic environment that makes the tale brand new!
“We and the Others” by Lasse Anrell and Anna-Karin Garhamn. Hippo, Stockholm 2016. This book, is part of the ones we really liked, with amazing and very expressive illustrations addressing the topic of “we” and “they”. We loved this puzzling situation on a balcony urban-garden! Siv and Jim birds are very well thought characters.
“Nothing Happens” by Anders Holmer. Natur & Kultur, spring 2019. This book is a very original one taking us to a busy world where “Nothing happens”! We loved this incredible and ironic world, where animals and creatures of all kind are very busy doing nothing!
Find the Hen!” by Eva Lindell & Cecilia Heikkilä. Berghs, 2017. The book is remarkably illustrated and is taking us around the henhouse in the garden.”We loved the way the henhouse is presented and the habits of the hens around it, with multiple details!
We want to thank very much, one more time, The Estonian Children’s Literature Center, Koja Agency as well as IKEA Finland – Vantaa for their support!
WEAR-ABOUTS - The blog 