Cover of the picture book Simpukka: two mermaids among coral and seaweed.

Simpukka

Written by Hannele Huovi/Tammi, 2022/Finnish

A lyrical fairy tale that takes the reader down into the depths of the sea and carries them back into the light. The colour runs the whole range, from the palest turquoise to pitch black — water that follows a princess's feelings without ever belittling them.

Illustrations

Cover Simpukka
Opening spread
The castle beneath the waves
Spread 14–15
Spread 16–17
Spread 18–19
Dolphins 18–19
Spread 20–21
Spread 22–23
Spread 24–25
Spread 26–27
Spread 28–29
Vignette 28–29
Spread 30–31
Spread 32–33
Spread 38–39
Final page
Back cover
Merikissi Sea cat
Shell, conch and stars Vignette

Written about the book

Lastenkirjahylly translated from Finnish

…Kissa Koskinen's illustration breathes in time with the lyrical language. The pictures can also be read as inner landscapes of grief, exhaustion and depression. The swirls and waves of the water follow the princess's emotional experiences without belittling them, but they can equally be read as signals of life's own force. The colouring ranges from the brightest hues to pitch black.…

Other books