Timo Parvela, born in 1964 in Jyväskylä, is one of Finland’s most awarded and widely read authors, both nationally and internationally. A former teacher, Parvela has been a full-time writer since 1996. He has written over 100 books, as well as TV scripts, plays, and song lyrics. His works have been translated into 40 languages and have sold over 40 million copies worldwide, demonstrating the wide appreciation of his skill in storytelling. 

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The multi-awarded Parvela masterfully blends humor, drama, and fantasy to create multilayered stories that are both entertaining and deeply meaningful, resonating with readers of all ages. His internationally bestselling Ella & Friends series, praised in the German press as “one of the funniest and most original in children’s literature,” has won awards both at home and abroad. He won with illustrator Virpi Talvitie, the prestigious Finlandia Prize with The Seesaw, a wise and tender reflection on life’s ups and downs, while his more recent The Shadows Trilogy, an epic reimagining of the Nordic Santa myth, added to his many Arvid Lydecken Prize nominations. 

Parvela’s international accolades include nominations for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and a shortlisting for the distinguished Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2022. Parvela’s wider contribution to children’s literature has also been recognized with some of Finland’s highest cultural honours, including the Pro Finlandia Medal awarded by the President of Finland, and the Suomi Prize.