Like the ancient hero Hercules, Sammy has to complete twelve difficult tasks to get back into his Mum’s favour and get permission to participate in the Batman meeting.
Sam is desperate to attend the super-secret meeting of Batmen but has a major problem: his mom won’t let him attend the meeting she knew nothing about, and Sam couldn’t tell her about the meeting as it was a secret meeting and the meeting would no longer be a secret if Sam asked her for permission which she might not give. A big problem. Thankfully Thomas has a plan. Of course everyone knew he would come up with one since he is a genius. Thomas’ plan is for Sam to show he is worthy of his mom’s trust, just like Hercules, who had to overcome 12 obstacles to become the favourite of the gods. Thomas reads out the 12 deeds for Sam to complete. The original deeds are difficult to replicate as they require slaying lions, monsters etc. but the children do their best to find good alternatives!
Timo Parvela (b.1964) is the number one children’s author in Finland and Ella & Friends is his longest standing series. He is a true master of capturing how children think in familiar situations and he always does it with a sense of humour and a touch of magic.
Ella & Friends Role Reversal, 2022
Ella & Friends on a Poop Trail, 2021
Ella & Friends Remote Schooling, 2021
Ella & Friends Finally in 3rd Grade, 2020
Ella & Friends Ahoy There!, due 2020
Ella & Friends Save the Earth, 2019
Ella & Friends as Kings, 2019
Ella & Friends in Concert, 2018
Ella & Friends as Master Chefs, 2018
Ella & Friends on their Way to Scout Jamboree, 2017
Ella & Friends – Horseplay, 2017
Ella & Friends in a Pickle, 2015
Ella & Friends in His Majesty’s Secret Service, 2016
Ella & Friends Build a Magic Machine, 2016
Ella & Friends Babysit, 2015
Ella & Friends Skip School, 2014
Ella & Friends in the Woods, 2013
Ella & the Lost Pointer, 2012
Ella & the Great Deeds of Sampo, 2011
Ella & Friends Have a Party, 2010
Ella & the Night Knight, 2010
Ella Hits the Jackpot, 2009
Ella & F1, 2008
Ella & the Seven Sillies, 2007
Ella – Watch Out for the Children!, 2006
Ella at Sea, 2005
Ella & the Superstar, 2004
Ella in Lapland, 2003
Ella at Night School, 2001
Ella & the New Boy in Class, 2000
Ella & Pete, 1999
Ella & the Holiday Camp, 1998
Ella on a School Trip, 1998
Ella in the Theatre, 1996
Ella & the Blackmailer, 1995
140pp
Black and white drawings
Estonian (Hea Lugu)
German (Hanser)
English series synopsis
Finnish edition
German translation
“Parvela is in in his element. Gorgeous blundering that keeps you entertained.”– Anita Ruckerbauer, BN-News, Germany
“The Ella books are one of very few book about school that you even want to read during the holidays!”– Die Zeit, Germany
“Guaranteed nonsense and deliusions with Ella and her friends!” – Stéphane Larue, France
“Clever, genuinely funny… with a perfect dose of emotion.”– Savon Sanomat newspaper