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Essi Kummu Rauhan alkuja.jpg

Seeds of Peace is a delicate and multi-layered portrayal of a child's struggle to survive. Throughout the work, the recurring motif of green seedlings grows into a metaphor for a child tested by war, to whom others must learn to respond correctly. “One must not touch that which needs time to grow stronger.” – Silja Vuorikuru Onnimanni Childrens and Young Adults Magazine

"One of the most interesting Finnish childrens books of the year."  – Suomen Kuvalehti magazine

TENDER SEEDLINGS OF PEACE

Rauhan alkuja, Tammi 2024

​SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOTHNIAN PRIZE 2024

SHORTLISTED AS ONE OF THE BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024​

​SHORTLISTED AS MOST BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

In her new children's book, Essi Kummu, known for her Elias series, captures the early experiences of a family fleeing the war in Ukraine as they settle into a new country. Zofia, a primary school-aged girl, is the protagonist, adapting to her new life with her loving father, her grandmother, who is disheartened by the war, and the family’s eternally cheerful dog. The girl’s daily life is typical in many ways for a child her age. Seedlings are grown on the classroom windowsill in yogurt containers. When she gets into a fight with a classmate, she ends up blocked on social media.

 

Questions too big for a child seep into her daily life: Why is grandmother always angry these days? Did the happy old grandmother get left behind on the road to Odessa after all? Do only weeds sprout in a person’s heart – or could seedlings of peace grow there too?

 

The support of trustworthy adults and the power of her own imagination become Zofia's survival strategy. The school counselor speaks her language in more ways than one. Gradually, she begins to draw her schoolmate as a friend rather than a bully.

 

Liisa Kallio’s illustrations place Zofia in the midst of a multicultural classroom and the daily life of a strong family, despite its worries. The illustrations emphasize the characters’ facial expressions. Particularly memorable are the sorrow-filled features of the grandmother.

Chatty Elias (Puhelias Elias) book by author Essi Kummu

CHATTY ELIAS

Puhelias Elias, Tammi 2012

​SHORTLISTED FOR THE FINLANDIA JUNIOR AWARD 2012

SHORTLISTED FOR THE TOWER OF BABEL PRIZE (ESTONIA) 2013 FOR THE BEST TRANSLATED CHILDREN'S BOOK

Elias, who has just started school, is usually chatty but nowadays he’s out of sorts and out of words. Along with his sister, he has two homes: one with dad and another with mum. They share dad’s home with Marita, who has a little girl of her own. Figuring out the new family dynamics is tough and even school seems strange to begin with. Elias finds himself missing his best friend Priit, who lives so far away that Elias would have to cross the sea to visit him.

Chatty Elias deals with themes including parents splitting up and travelling between new families, from a young boy’s point of view. Maijala’s intricate illustrations seamlessly add to Kummu’s story. Chatty Elias will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to find the right words or missed a friend, in other words: all of us.

PRATSAMME ELIAS translated by Janina Orlov. Läsrörelsen. Sweden 2019

JUTUKAS ELIAS translated by Ingrid Maasik. Fiora Publishing. Estonia 2013

Elias and the Practice Kiss (Puhelias Elias, Harjoituspusuja) book by author Essi Kummu

ELIAS AND THE PRACTICE KISS

Puhelias Elias, Harjoituspusuja, Tammi 2015

A sweet, insightful story about a boy’s first kiss.

​Jam-packed full of gentle humour, this story about Elias’ first crush is for everyone who was terrified of their first kiss. It’s also a book about new beginnings for modern families. Marika Maijala’s summery illustrations bring the book to life.

It’s the first day of the summer holidays, and the local circus school is hosting a party. Elias and his mum are looking forward to seeing Inkeri’s ensemble performance in the school auditorium. Suddenly the auditorium is full of girls in pink and black leotards, wearing tails and bunny ears. Elias turns away with a funny feeling in his tummy. Especially because one of the girls is Livia.

Elias and the Wedding Waltz (Puhelias Elias, Häätanssit) book by author Essi Kummu

ELIAS AND THE WEDDING WALTZ

Puhelias Elias, Häätanssit, Tammi 2019

NOMINATED FOR THE BOTHNIA PRIZE 2019

The third and final book in the Elias trilogy.

 

Home feels too full now that Mum’s girlfriend Inari and her daughter have moved in. Mum even talks about marrying Inari. But Elias simply won’t let that happen; it would ruin everything. Thankfully everything at Dad’s is still the same. There’s just the right number of people, and Elias can be sure he’ll find his comic where he left it there.

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