Essi Kummu

Essi Kummu (b. 1977) has written short stories, novels and children’s books. Her novel Death of the Bear (Karhun kuolema, Tammi, 2010) was nominated for the Tiiliskivi Prize in 2011 and her children’s book Chatty Elias (Puhelias Elias, Tammi, 2012) was shortlisted for the Finlandia Junior Prize in 2012. Her books So Long, Boys (Hyvästi pojat, Tammi 2017)  Elias & the Wedding Waltz (Puhelias Elias Häätanssit, Tammi, 2019) and Tender Seedlings of Peace (Rauhan alkuja) were all nominated for the Bothnia Prize. In 2018 Kummu was awarded the Vuoden Sara acknowledgement in honour of her work towards empowering girls and women.

Awards and nominations

2024: Shortlisted for the Bothnia Prize
2019: Shortlisted for the Bothnia Prize
2018: Vuoden Sara acknowledgement
2017: Shortlisted for the Bothnia Prize
2013 Shortlisted for the Tower of Pabel Prize (Estonia) for the Best Translated Children’s Book of the Year
2012: Shortlisted for the Finlandia Junior Prize
2011: Shortlisted for the Tiiliskivi Prize

Works

Elias & the Wedding Waltz (Puhelias Elias Häätanssit, Tammi, 2019)
So Long, Boys (Hyvästi pojat, Tammi 2017)
The Practice Kiss (Puhelias Elias: Harjoituspusuja, children’s book, Tammi, 2015)
The Story of My Children (Lasteni tarina, Tammi 2014)
Chatty Elias (Puhelias Elias, children’s book, Tammi, 2012)
Death of the Bear (Karhun kuolema, Tammi, 2010)

Works
Elias and the Wedding Waltz Puhelias Elias Häätanssit The third and final book in the Elias trilogy. Home feels too full now that Mum’s girlfriend Inari and he...
Elias and the Practice Kiss Puhelias Elias Harjoituspusuja A sweet, insightful story about a boy’s first kiss.Jam-packed full of gentle humour, this story about Eliasâ...
Chatty Elias Puhelias Elias Shortlisted for the Finlandia Junior Prize in 2012. Elias, who has just started school, is usually chatty b...