How does a picture book about two very different squirrels finding a connection come to life? Author J. S. Meresmaa and illustrator Pamela Samel met by chance in the Word Bridges workshop in Tartu in autumn 2023. The workshop paired Estonian and Finnish illustrators and writers and left very little time for ideation. It was there that the story of a friendship crossing the boundaries of different life rhythms began.
“The initial idea was J.S.’s, and when the workshop ended we decided to try to publish the book for real,” Pamela says.
Between Reality and Story
Spring Friendship follows a forest squirrel and a flying squirrel — characters like night and day. The book’s themes draw from the creators’ own lives: Meresmaa describes herself as a chronic early bird while many of her close ones are night owls. Living in rhythm together isn’t always easy, but love and the will to understand open new paths.
“When illustrating a book you always find parallels to your own life and childhood and see what speaks to you personally — as it did for us,” Pamela says.
One landscape in the book, a spring floodplain forest that freezes into crystal clarity, is based on Meresmaa’s own experience. “It was an enchantingly striking sight, and I’m glad it found its way into the book,” she says.
Creation of the Characters
The main characters emerged quickly: the flying squirrel, rarely seen in Finnish children’s books, and the more familiar forest squirrel. Pamela researched the animals’ looks and baseline behaviours, and their personalities took shape naturally.
“Pamela created the visual script, and my task was to complete the illustrations with words — the things the pictures don’t tell. That requires precision, attention to rhythm and word choice,” Meresmaa explains.
The Challenges of Making a Picture Book
Although Meresmaa is an experienced novelist, picture-book writing is a different art. The interplay between image and text requires subtle balance and many rounds of refinement. Pamela says her biggest challenge was finding the right style for the book. “I always need to try out different styles before I see what works best for each book.”
Spring Friendship is also special for Pamela as her first digitally produced picture book. “It was challenging, but through trial and error I arrived at some pleasant and surprising results,” she says.
Favourite Spreads
It’s hard to pick a single favourite spread, but Meresmaa highlights two: an early scene where noisy birds keep the protagonist awake, and the final scene where the squirrels discover acorn treasures beneath the ice. Pamela is delighted that some spreads surprised even her in a good way.
Everyday Sources of Inspiration
“Nature, history, the diversity and knowledge we humans have gathered from our environment and from ourselves, the generosity and surprises of creativity. And art. Always art!” — J. S. Meresmaa
“The little things. The more you pay attention to them and see their value, the more they begin to appear in everyday life.” — Pamela Samel
Dream Projects
“Every new picture book is a dream project for me. I adore the rich world of picture books!” — J. S. Meresmaa
“I would love to illustrate for The New York Times one day.” — Pamela Samel
Spring Friendship is a warm, visually enchanting story about difference, connection and the small wonders of spring. It invites the reader to pause, look and feel — just like the best picture books do.
Workshop photos: Helmi Kalaja / Children's Book Institute