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Finnish authors abroad
Finnish authors abroad
Aunt Elvi is concerned about Wills not having a father figure.
She urges Rose to find someone who can teach Wills about how to be a man and Rose comes up with a plan. She puts an add in a newspaper: “Nice boy seeks a father figure. Pay is good.” Soon the father figures are lining up for inspection. Alfred seems to go into hiding whenever one of the dad figures, a certain ice hockey player Mr Hill appears. Why is that? And is Mr Hill good influence on Wills? Does Wills even like ice hockey?
The Wills & Nelli books by Sinikka Nopola (b. 1963) and Tiina Nopola (b. 1971) have been popular in Finland for over 20 years. Now films, plays, and songs that are based on the books are further increasing their popularity.
W&N: Shy Elmer, 2019
W&N: Julia the Schemer, 2018
W&N: The Artist Within, 2017
W&N: Something in Common, 2016
W&N: The Unusual Suspects, 2015
W&N: The Scrooge of Seville, 2014
W&N: The Lookalike, 2013
W&N: Nelli’s Plight, 2012
Illustrated by Christel Rönns
W&N: Wills’ New Dad, 2011
W&N: Star Struck, 2009
W&N: The Last Ice-Cream, 2007
W&N: A Gaming Frenzy, 2006
W&N: Teacher’s Pet, 2004
W&N: The Persistent Pimple, 2003
W&N: Dandy Andy, 2002
W&N: Freezer Fran, 2001
Wills & Nelli, 2000
Wills McFinn and the Horrible Sausage, 1998
Wills McFinn, 1997
Illustrated by Aino Havukainen & Sami Toivonen
104pp
Colour illustrated
Age: 8+
Finnish PDF
Series synopsis
Arabic (Dar Al Saqi)
Brazilian (Sds Editora)
Bulgarian (Faber)
Danish (Turbine)
Danish (Carlsen)
Estonian (Varrak)
Finnish, Sámi (Abc-Company)
French (Pocket Jeunesse), six book deal
Hungarian (Cerkabella)
Japanese (Komine Shoten)
Latvian (Zvaigzne)
Lithuanian (Nieko Rimto)
Polish (Foksal)
Slovenian (Sodobnost)
Spanish (Santillana)
Swedish (Bonnier Carlsen)
Turkish (Altin Kitaplar)
“The enduring popularity of Wills reflects the fact that Sinikka and Tiina have managed to keep their readership happy… the Nopolas are masters of charming storytelling and skillful language.” — Savon Sanomat newspaper