Yökyöpelit

Yökyöpelit continues the hilarious poetic path of Allakka pullakka. Loved by both children and adults alike. As night falls not all houses are fast asleep. This house is filled with several night owls such as Agent Genius Rope, little Nibble and Master Granny who wander around with their nightly chores. The magic of dance, a movie kiss, one bathing Ceaser, and a tireless, invincible baby and other oddly things bring along giggles to bedtime. Hilarious and baffling poems that will knock the socks off of both young and mature readers. The second one of the several illustrated poetry books created by world-fame and awarded duo Laura Ruohonen and Erika Kallasmaa that have inspired awarded television series, theatre plays, and music lyrics adaptations. The 13-part TV series, based on the book was a phenomenon in Finland when broadcasted back in spring 2015.

Publishing information

Year of publication

2008

Page count

Original title

Yökyöpelit

Original language

Finnish

Original publisher

Otava Publishing Company

About the author

Laura Ruohonen (b. 1960) is one of the most prominent Finnish playwrights, a poet and director whose works have been translated into 27 different languages. She has been granted several awards, including Kordelin’s Literary Award and Pro Finlandia in 2010. Ruohonen has collaborated with awarded illustrators including Erika Kallasmaa and Linda Bondestam and published several highly praised and awarded illustrated poetry books.

Author page

Erika Kallasmaa (b. 1969) is an award-winning artist, illustrator and graphic designer. She is a master of visual storytelling and her medium expands beyond the means of books and printed matters to theatre, television, architecture, performance arts and installations. Kallasmaa was awarded the Finnish State Prize of visual arts in 2013. She was awarded with an honorary mention at Mikkeli’s 12th Illustration Triennial in 2020.

Author page

Reviews

"The delicious language and rhythm of Ruohonen's poems are witty and at their best when read aloud. The book is a fresh and new kind of entity, a poem book that surprises its readers with every poem. The poems easily adapt into wordplay and play…The exceptionally beautiful and colorful illustration of the poem book supports the text perfectly and, despite its rich detail, leaves room for the reader’s imagination. The book is an encounter of great emotions, rhythm and sound - not forgetting laughter!"

Finlandia Junior Prize jury (2008)