Pawhill Pals

By Matti Rönkä Matti Pikkujämsä

A mischievous yet reassuring tale of two long eared pals, perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo.
 
Under the maple trees stands a blue house, home to a family of four and their dog. But beneath the large porch lives an unlikely pair: a wild hare and an urban rabbit. These aren't your average fluffy-tailed creatures—the hare is a meticulous housekeeper who can read, while the newcomer rabbit is still learning the ropes. When the children discover their secret neighbors, an unexpected friendship begins to bloom.
 
One bright autumn morning, the hare wakes from his nap to find the rabbit has vanished without a trace. Following the clues, he learns his friend was last seen heading toward the village with the boastful rascal squirrel. To bring the runaway home, the hare will need the humans' help—even if it means revealing his extraordinary literary talents.
 
Pawhill Pals is Matti Rönkä's first children's book and the start of a charming new series. Rönkä's entertaining story sparkles with vivid wordplay, delightful animal and human characters, and quirky mishaps. Combined with Matti Pikkujämsä's witty illustrations, this heartwarming tale is sure to captivate young readers.

Publishing information

About the author

Matti Rönkä (b. 1959) is an award-winning Finnish author based in Helsinki. He had a long career as a news anchor at the state broadcasting company YLE, where he was known as ”the voice of Finland.” Pawhill Pals is his debut children’s novel.

Matti Pikkujämsä (b. 1976) is an internationally recognized artist and illustrator living and working in Helsinki, Finland.He is known for his portrait projects, as well as making numerous children’s book illustrations for various publishers in Finland and Japan. He creates illustrations for Finland’s largest daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, and has also worked on pattern design for several fashion brands including Marimekko. In February 2019 a Valentine’s Day themed postage stamp set illustrated by Pikkujämsä was released in Finland. As one of the creators and illustrator of the The CupOfTherapy project he has made mental health problems and wellbeing visible.As an awarded artist Matti Pikkujämsä has won the Rudolf Koivu prize in 2013 and Finnish State Prize for Illustration in 2015. He won the first Illustrator of the Year award in 2019 and had an award exhibition on display at the Hanaholmen Gallery, organized by The Finnish Illustration Association together with the Hanaholmen Cultural Centre.“A phenomenal talent and an outstanding illustrator who breathes through his pen. His illustrations are not just decorations, but stories. His characters are always alive. He has served as a role model for many illustrators, but has a humble approach to his talent, understanding that it only forms the underlying framework for actual work…His illustrations portray the Finnish spirit with their spruces and domestic animals. His style features echoes of Nordic design from the previous decades, depicted from a new, fresh perspective.”– Illustrator of the Year Award jury