RIGHTS SOLD TO:
Germany, Japan.
Illustrated by Virpi Talvitie
Talvitie is well-known graphic artist and illustrator and a favourite collaborator for authors of Finnish children’s books. Her style is technically demanding: she combines rough and finely-drawn lines, adding precisely etched details. The result is insightful and irresistible.
Originally published by Tammi.
Purdy and Barker
“Do you think I’m perfect?” Purdy asked Barker one day when he was mowing the lawn. Out of the corner of his eye, Barker glanced at his friend, whose tail trembled as he waited for a response. “I don’t suppose anyone’s completely perfect,” Barker said, sidestepping the question. “But what about me?” insisted Purdy.
Purdy is a cat and Barker is a dog. They live together on top of a hill a skyblue house. The humanity of these easy-to-identify-with characters appeals to readers of all ages. The Purdy and Barker books contain collections of
vignettes that are simultaneously fun and profound.
Purdy and Barker
and the Big Adventure
Purdy the cat wants an adventure. Barker the dog, on the other hand longs for just one moment of peace so he can concentrate on his miniature model of the village. So Barker agrees to a fateful bargain. To wit, Purdy promises that if Barker will just dig a tiny hole in the path in the yard, he will leave his friend in peace. So how does such a small hole swell into such a bit adventure? Find out in Purdy and Barker and the Big Adventure, where the two friends meet Bear Glumble, set off on a dragon-hunt, and rescue a damsel in distress. Just like you should in a big adventure. And at the end of the story is, of course, treasure. The biggest, most beautiful treasure of all.
Purdy and Barker
Build a House
Purdy the cat wants an adventure. Barker the dog, on the other hand longs for just one moment of peace so he can concentrate on his miniature model of the village. So Barker agrees to a fateful bargain. To wit, Purdy promises that if Barker will just dig a tiny hole in the path in the yard, he will leave his friend in peace. So how does such a small hole swell into such a bit adventure? Find out in Purdy and Barker and the Big Adventure, where the two friends meet Bear Glumble, set off on a dragon-hunt, and rescue a damsel in distress. Just like you should in a big adventure. And at the end of the story is, of course, treasure. The biggest, most beautiful treasure of all.
Purdy, Barker and
the Giant Snowball
Imagine if you woke up one morning to find the world’s biggest advent calendar in your yard. It would be an incredible snowball with a wonderful surprise waiting for you behind every door. Imagine that your best friend built one for you. And then it tumbled out of the yard to the bottom of the hill and rolled over the village and finally sank into the lake. Imagine that. Purdy and Barker and the Giant Snowball is a story of surprise, friendship, greed, good deeds, and the meaning of Christmas. It includes big feelings and small tricks and small feelings and big tricks. And in the end, of course, a miracle. Purdy and Barker win again in their second book! Their new tale is written like a Christmas calendar, with a story for each evening leading up to Christmas morning. Each story is adorned with a lyrical, full-spread illustration.
Praise for the Works
“Parvela is a master of quiet humour. The storytelling is profound in its naiveté, and the style speaks to readers of all ages. I predict a long and successful future for Purdy and Barker.”
Keskisuomalainen
“Fun and profound, but the simplicity of the text makes adults seek out their inner purdiness and barkerhood too.’’
Lapsemme
“Timo Parvela’s true-to-life text works particularly well when read out loud.”
Kaleva
