Sylvi Kepposen series

Juha Virta & Marika Maijala

The Very Long Day of Sylvi Kepposen

Sylvi is the shortest in class, which makes her pretty sad. It’s so unfair: only the taller kids are allowed to play on the basketball team, and Sylvi can’t keep up in the high jump either. And when she wants to know what’s on a cupboard or the roof of a house, she always gets the same answer: “You’ll see when you’re a bit taller. But Sylvi wants to be taller now – and actually one day her wish comes true. Her legs get longer and longer until she not only leaves everyone behind her in basketball and high jump, but also explores the universe and jumps from planet to planet. But is it really as great to be tall as Sylvi always thought?

With The Very Long Day of Sylvi Kepposen, Finnish author Juha Virta has written a humorous and adventurous story that addresses themes such as envy, exclusion and the longing to be grown up. The charming illustrations by Marika Maijala enrich the story about the girl who explores the universe on her long legs.

Sylvi Kepposen – Wolf Watch

Sylvi visits her grandfather in the countryside together with her mother. A surprise awaits her there: a girl of the same age has moved into the house next door! Orvokki has a special hobby: she observes animals. She writes down all her observations in her notebook. One drawing immediately excites Sylvi: an animal that looks like a wolf! When the two girls find an old tent in the shed, they make a plan. They set up the tent in the garden, get lots of snacks, and stay awake until dawn. They pass the time with a shadow theatre and a late-night observation tour – but will they really see a wolf in the end?

In book two of the Sylvi series, Finnish author Juha Virta again succeeds in making Sylvi highly relatable to young readers. The two friends’ spirit of adventure is wonderfully captured in Marika Maijala’s colourful pictures.

Sylvi’s Pen Pal

It’s snowing outside and everything looks like it’s been sprinkled with icing sugar. Sylvi is enjoying the view from her window, but suddenly she notices a boy standing sadly and motionless at the window opposite. Sylvi finds out that Luka has a broken leg, so he can’t walk very much. He can’t even walk his dog at the moment, his sister has to do that. Sylvi has an idea: she writes Luka a letter with a story that he should finish and then put under his dog Kafka’s collar, so that Sylvi can take it back when she goes for a walk with her dog Tessu. Just as Sylvi has finished reading the next day how the beautiful princess accompanied the prince with a sprained foot on her horse first to the sea and then to the fair, Luka turns up in the park. He wants to go to the library, but the way is too far with his injured leg. Just like the princess in their story, does Sylvi have any idea what to do now?

In this warm-hearted winter story, Juha Virta shows how friendship, caring for each other and imagination can create happiness. Marika Maijala brings to life both the dreamy snowy landscape and the multifaceted fantasy world imagined by Sylvi and Luka.