Published simultaneously in Swedish by Förlaget and in Finnish by Etana Editions, the picture book Snälla Stella, sluta skälla! / Hissun kissun, Hilja!, written by Ted Forsström and illustrated by Åsa Lucander, is a nominee for the Finlandia Prize for Children's and Youth Literature 2023. The book is translated into Finnish by Johannes Ekholm.
The Finlandia candidates for children's and young people's literature were chosen by a committee chaired by Elina Pekkarinen, the commissioner for children's affairs, with executive director Asta Boman and school librarian Olli Rantala as members.
The board's statement
In the book, the fairytale moment of a weekday evening starts with the barking of a dog. The expressiveness of the illustration and the tonal world make an impression, and the language is full of wild rhymes and details, where fantasy overtakes everyday life. In the piece, the peace and chaos of a weekday evening alternate in a way that tickles the nerves of laughter. The book guarantees a fun reading moment in both languages.
The Finlandia Award for children's and youth literature is a recognition awarded by the Finnish Book Foundation to a meritorious Finnish children's or youth book. The prize has been awarded since 1997 and is worth 30,000 euros. This year, the Finlandia winner is chosen by the musician and artist Herra Ylppö.
The other Finlandia 2023 candidates for children's and youth literature are:
Jukka Behm: Ihmepoika Leon (Tammi)
Magdalena Hai: Sarvijumala (Otava)
Anna Elina Isoaro & Mira Mallius: Kaksi tätiä nimeltä Veera (WSOY)
Sanna Isto: Näkymättömät (Tammi)
Meri & Aleksi Korpela: Peloton Peltohiiri – Lumilabyrintti (Otava)
Finlandia winners will be announced Nov 29, 2023.
The purpose of the Finlandia Prize is to celebrate reading and high-quality Finnish novel literature. Finlandia is the most prestigious literary award in Finland, and it is awarded annually by The Finnish Book Foundatio to an excellent Finnish book in three categories: fiction (novel), non-fiction and children’s or youth literature.
The Finnish Book Foundation was established in 1983 by the Finnish Book Publishers Association and the Ministry of Education, with the purpose of fostering and supporting Finnish literature and reading. The Foundation is best known for its literary awards.