What draws children’s book creators to seek partnerships in other countries, and how do these enrich the books? Meet some of Sweden’s and Finland’s leading children’s book creators in a discussion about their books and cross-border partnerships.
Oskar Kroon (Sweden)
Author Oskar Kroon (born 1980) made his debut with Mitt fönster mot rymden (My Window to Space) in 2018 and collaborated with Finnish illustrator Jenny Lucander on Fakta om pappor (Facts About Dads) in 2021. Kroon has been awarded the August Prize twice, for Vänta på vind (Waiting for the Wind) in 2019 and Vitsippor och pissråttor (Windflowers and Piss Rats) in 2023. Since 2024, he’s been a member of the Swedish Academy for Children’s Books.
Jenny Lucander (Finland)
Illustrator Jenny Lucander (born 1975) made her children’s book debut in 2012 with Singer, written by Katarina von Numers-Ekman. In 2020, Lucander received the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize for the picture book Vi är lajon! (We Are Lions!) together with Swedish author Jens Mattsson. She has also collaborated with both Oskar Kroon and Kristina Sigunsdotter from Sweden, as well as with British author Elizabeth Laird.
Marika Maijala (Finland)
Author, illustrator, and artist Marika Maijala (born 1974) debuted in children’s literature in 2018 with Ruusun matka (Rosie Runs), which was nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize. Among Maijala’s many international book partnerships are Miljoner biljoner julgubbar (Million Billion Santa Clauses, 2014) with Japanese author Hiroko Motai and Ivars tomrum (Ivar’s Empty Room, 2024) with Swedish author Isabella Nilsson.
Kristina Sigunsdotter (Sweden)
Kristina Sigunsdotter (born 1981) made her breakthrough as a children’s book author with Humlan Hanssons hemligheter (The Secrets of Cricket Karlsson), which was also awarded the August Prize in 2020. In the book series Bims värld (Bim’s World), she collaborated with Norwegian illustrator Jenny Jordahl. This autumn, she will release the picture book Trädet under jorden (which in English translates as The Tree Underground), based on Karin Boye’s life and writings, with illustrations by Finnish artist Jenny Lucander. Sigunsdotter has been a member of the Swedish Academy for Children’s Book since 2024.
The discussion will be moderated by Salomon Hellman, library developer at Nordic Culture Point.
The event is organised in collaboration with FIBUL and the Swedish Academy for Children’s Books.
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