Author photo of Mauri Kunnas for Rights and Brands Literary Rights.

© Niclas Mäkelä

Mauri Kunnas

Author

Mauri Kunnas (b. 1950) is Finland’s most successful children’s book author today. He has published over 50 books, which have been translated into over 40 languages and sold nearly 10 million copies.

His books for children have aroused enormous interest around the world. The best-known book internationally is Santa Claus. The book has been translated into 29 languages and sold nearly two million copies. The sales of all Kunnas translations already exceed 2,5 million copies. Santa Claus is the bestselling Finnish title of all time, and the same Top 20 list included five more Mauri Kunnas titles.
Kunnas is also widely aprreciated by adults, particularly for his comics about The Beatles.

Mauri Kunnas offers the reader an unparalleled joy of discovery: his brilliantly coloured illustrations are filled with rich and humorous detail. He has an unrivalled gift for taking history and casting it in a new and hilarious way, as well as for giving old stories and legends his own delightful twist. His books always exude an atmosphere which is contagiously warm and happy.

“My most important hobby is my drawings and making up stories to go with them – and that’s also my work. I must be a lucky dog to be able to mix the two.”
– Mauri Kunnas

Awards & nominations

Awards

2019

Tieto-Lauri Liteature Award

2015

Elias Lönnrot Award

2015

Kaarina Helakisa Award

2015

Pirkanmaa Prize

2013

Bookhead Prize

2013

State Award for Public Information for a Distinguished Life’s Work

2013

Aalto University Honorary Doctorate

2012

Emil Cedercreutz Medal

2011

The city of Espoo Medal

2011

The City of Espoo Culture Award

2009

Annual Award for Working for the Benefit of Children

2009

Lifetime Award for Positivity

2008

The Historical Book of the Year Honorary Mention

2005

Kulttuurikuokka Recognition Award

2005

Tietopöllö Literature Award

2003

The Arts Council of Pirkanmaa Diploma

2003

Vammala Prize

2003

Kaarina Helakisa Literary Prize

2003

Rudolf Koivu Prize

2002

Pro Finlandia Medal

2001

Jenny ja Antti Wihuri Foundation Distinction Award

1999

Lempi Grand Prix

1998

The Finnish Broadcasting Company’s Prize for Export Achievement

1992

Finnish Picture Book Prize

1989

Kirjapöllö Children's Book Award

1989

Nortamo Prize

1989

State Award for Children’s Culture

1984

Bologna Children’s Book Fair Diploma

1982

Bologna Children’s Book Fair: Children’s Panel Honorary Award

1981

Finnish Comics Society Puupäähattu Prize

1981

State Literary Award

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