Timo Parvela
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.
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.
Parvela is a passionate advocate for literacy and children’s literature, viewing it as a gateway to a life- long love of reading and learning. His dedication earned him UNICEF Finland’s Children’s Rights Influencer Award in 2016 for his efforts in promoting read- ing and global literacy. In addition to writing, Parvela, together with his wife, runs a weekly Finnish language workshop for immigrant children, to help them to expand their vocabulary, and confidence in their lan- guage skills.
Parvela’s contribution to children’s literature
Timo Parvela has an extensive and exceptional career as an author. His bibliography consists of over hundred titles with books written for the smallest children to teens and adults. There is no genre of literature that he has not mastered: from philosophical fables to everyday life, adventure to fantasy. His books are multilayered stories that have levels to dis- cover for readers of all ages and his trademark warm humour makes both children and adults laugh.
He is especially renowned for his long running series, such as Ella & Friends, Pete, Kepler62, Purdy & Barker, that constantly inspire and motivate new generations to read and yearn for the next book. Parvela always has his finger on the pulse of the changing world, proactively developing innovative new ways to reach his readers. He is well known and respected for his dedication to support literacy – also by using innovative ways such as theatrical stage and story concerts.
Parvela’s influence is international: his books have been translated into 40 languages and he is one of the most acclaimed authors in Finland. His work show cases long lasting quality of writing and his production is timeless: classic themes and topics are dealt with humor, but also with thoughtfulness and sensitivity.
Parvela continues to engage readers again and again by creating new, relatable, mesmerising and exciting characters. His books transport readers into new worlds. Many of his series have gathered praise for their creative settings, such as the Kepler62 planet or the mythological world of Auroria in Shadows trilogy. His books show that current and relevant topics like eco- logical viewpoints or questions about humanity can be included into children’s literature in a meaningful way.
In his books Parvela also dares to criticise social phenomena relevant to children. The children in his writing are active citizens that participate in the de- velopment of their environment. This is how Parvela uses his position to highlight issues he knows to be important, stated the Board of UNICEF Finland in 2016 when he was nominated as Influencer of UNICEF’s Children’s Rights.
Saara Tiuraniemi
Publisher, Children’s & Juvenile Literature Tammi Publishers
Werner Söderström Ltd.
