Ibby Finland announces the Anni Swan Award nominees

A round of applause to Maija Hurme, Jani Toivola, Anne Vasko and Leena Virtanen and their titles that have been shortlisted for the Anni Swan Award.

Every three years, the Finnish division of the ‘International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) awards the silver-plated medal to a domestic Children’s or YA book. It is given to a work of high artistic quality and unique in its subject matter and expression. We are delighted to share that the following titles and series represented by Rights & Brands are among the nominees for the Anni Swan Award: 

Maija Hurme’s picture book Last and Found (Kaikki löytämäni viimeiset, Etana Editions 2022).

Jury’s motivation:

“Last and Found is a work of art that breaks genre boundaries. The work has a strong, genuine dual address, which makes it an appealing read for all ages. The collages revolving around the last moments, plants, animals, and encounters capture life’s beauty, joy, sadness, and comfort in a startling way.”

 

Jani Toivola’s and Saara Obele’s Ronnie series including titles Boy and the Red Skirt (Poika ja hame, Otava 2021), Boy and Butterflies in His Tummy (Poika ja perhostunne, Otava 2022) and Boy and a Leap of Courage (Poika ja rohkeusloikka, Otava 2023).

Jury’s motivation:

“The Ronnie books by Jani Toivola and Saara Obele are coherent books that reform the Finnish children’s book field, in which the main character is a child who challenges normative concepts in many ways. The books normalize the differences in families and the complex emotional lives of children. The warm series with its text and illustrations reminds one of the importance of believing in yourself. Although the Ronnie picture book series is a combination of illustration and text, Toivola as the author of the series is nominated for the award.” 

 

 

Anne Vasko’s trilogy including titles The Flying Kiss (Lentopusu, Etana Editions 2019), Pony’s Tail (Ponin häntä, Etana Editions 2021) and The Hat (Hattu, Etana Edition 2023).

Jury’s motivation:

“Anne Vasko’s picture book trilogy is playful, funny and multi-layered. At the same time, the works that combine fairy tale and surprise lead to the most important questions. Vasko’s illustrations, splashing in stunning colours, are skilful and beautiful.”

Leena Virtanen and Sanna Pelliccioni’s The Finnish Superwomen non-fiction picture book series including titles Minna! (Teos 2018), Ellen! (Teos 2019) Eeva! (Teos 2020), Fredrika! (Teos 2021), Paraske! (Teos 2022) and Tove! (Teos 2023)

Jury’s motivation:

“The The Finnish Superwomen series is an admired and praised series that crosses genre boundaries. It is characteristic of the series not to underestimate the supposed young reader, but it has also received a warm reception in the field of work with the elderly. The Finnish Superwomen series gives a face to Finland’s many influential women and creates multi-level connections with today. Even though the Finnish Superwomen picture book series is a combination of illustration and text, Leena Virtanen, as the author of the series, is nominated for the award.”

The winner will be revealed on September 20, 2024.

Our warmest congratulations and good luck to all nominees!